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Nolan was an eighth grader at Mahopac Middle School. That schools principal, Vincent Di Grandi, and Superintendent of Schools Thomas J. Manko wrote a letter to the community on Nolan's death and ways to deal with the loss.
The following is their letter:
Dear Mahopac School Community,
We write to express our collective condolences to those who have been impacted by the loss of Jenna Nolan, an Eighth Grade Middle School Student, and to ask for your help as we move forward together. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those directly affected by this tragic loss. We mourn the loss of Jenna with you and will remember her as an exceptional young lady. One of the greatest strengths of the Mahopac community is our ability to come together in times of tragedy. Working together, we can take care of the emotional needs of others by paying special attention to those who have been affected by this tragedy. Parents have the unique opportunity to support their children by simply being there for them. Some healthy coping mechanisms include sharing ideas for offering condolences to family and friends, acknowledging their fears or feelings of sadness and loss, and modeling healthy coping skills such as talking, writing, and being together.
Dealing with sudden loss is difficult at any age. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, as they may have limited experience with grief and may not have fully developed the coping mechanisms of adults. In the aftermath of loss, we all struggle to make sense of what happened. We may also have difficulty finding the words and actions to support family and friends who have been directly affected. Throughout the district, our school psychologists, social workers and counselors are available to listen, support you and our students, and provide appropriate resources or referrals should your family need them. Local community resources for dealing with grief include Putnam Family and Community Services (845-225-2700), the Putnam County Youth Bureau (845-808-1600 ext. 46120), and Green Chimneys (845-279-2995). Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have questions or need our assistance. Additional information on grief and loss can be found here: National Association of School Psychologists National Alliance for Grieving Children Your vigilance and care for the young people in our community are greatly appreciated. As a school community, we will continue to keep the Nolan family in our thoughts and prayers. We will send additional information about arrangements and support services as it becomes available.
Sincerely, Thomas J. Manko Superintendent of Schools Mr. Vincent Di Grandi Mahopac Middle School Principal
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