On behalf of  our school, and the Meyers family, we are grateful for the outpouring of support  and compassion you have shown us for the loss of our dear friend Valerie Meyers.  She was an exceptional human being, an exceptional employee, and a devoted  advocate of her students. She will be missed. 
      The number one thing I learned about Val in a short period of time is she served our students with PRIDE.  I want to proudly acknowledge this faculty and our student  body for pulling together, supporting each other, and honoring Val in the best  way we know how- by being PRIDE and continuing to be devoted to learning and  growing in this time of loss. I can tell you, the staff and our students are  something we should all be very proud of. I know Val would be! They were stellar  in the midst of loss and grieving. 
      I hope you will join me in celebrating Valerie Meyers on Sunday February 19th at  3pm in the HS auditorium.
 As Val would  say on Friday's.....Go Wildcats.....rrrrrrrr
Sincerely,
Mr. Belcher

Dear Wildcat Family,

We had very sad news to share at Mount Si High School today. One of our staff members, Valerie Meyers, passed away last night, February 9, 2012, due to complications with a heart condition. Ms. Meyers worked in the main MSHS office as the school athletic secretary and receptionist, and is married to teacher Gregg Meyers. She demonstrated PRIDE in all of her actions, and will be irreplaceable. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Meyers family.

This news was shared with staff and students this morning. To offer support, the school implemented its Crisis Response Plan and brought in a team of counselors trained for dealing with grief to supplement our own counseling staff. The auditorium was set up as an optional Drop In room for students to grieve together, write letters of support to the Meyers family and receive guidance from qualified adults, if they chose.

When more details regarding a remembrance event for Valerie become available, we'll provide an update on the school website. In the meantime, people can post tribute messages on a page that's been created in Valerie's honor through the www.CaringBridge.org website.

When a loss like this happens, people have different ways of reacting even if they did not have a close relationship with the person who has died. Feelings such as shock, sadness, fear and anger are common. Those reactions may rise and fall throughout the day, and even for days to come. Below are some ways you can help your child deal with these feelings:

• Be sensitive about whether your son/daughter needs or wants to talk. Bring it up in case he/she is reluctant to do so.
• Resist the temptation to minimize the pain, deny the feelings or give advice. Simply listen!
• Be emotionally available, not judgmental.
• Keep in mind that times of loss may trigger prior experiences with grief or loss.
• Realize that kids move in and out of the grief process at their own pace. It is very intense for them when they're experiencing sadness/anxiety/guilt/anger.
• Encourage them to go out and celebrate life in whatever way they can. Those periods of reprieve are important in coping and sustaining health.

Thanks for your support of your students and Mount Si staff during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
John Belcher
Mount Si High School Principal