School takes steps to deal with student death

Jersey Bridgeman

Jersey Bridgeman

Monday, November 26, 2012

— Jersey Bridgeman, 6, liked the color purple, Disney princesses, reading and teaching her little sister, and looked forward to one day being a mother, Bentonville School District officials said Monday.

Jersey's body was found Tuesday at 704 S.E. A St. — two houses south of her home on Nov. 20. Police are investigating her death as a homicide.

Jersey was a kindergartner at Sugar Creek Elementary School. The school is asking students there to wear purple tomorrow in honor of Jersey.

Sugar Creek Principal Pam Blair said Jersey loved to give her a hug following lunch each day.

“She was a sweet, joyful, little girl,” Blair said. “She was always happy. Despite her short life, she was a normal little girl in a kindergarten classroom among her peers.”

Counselors are on site at Sugar Creek today, Blair said. She said district officials crafted a plan on Sunday to help children process Jersey’s death.

The plan includes every teacher at the school reading a script to students about the incident, Blair said.

“We are so sad that a student from our school, Jersey Bridgeman in Mrs. Gotwalt’s kindergarten class, has died,” a copy of the script states. “The police are working as hard as they can to find out what happened to her. Because this is such a serious tragedy, rumors have been spread and many people have said things that may or may not be true. I would like to answer any questions you may have. I will answer them as honestly as I can. It is important to discuss any questions you might have with an adult and not your friends. We want to make sure everyone gets true information.”

Students were asked to write or draw how they were feeling about Jersey or anything else on their mind, Blair said. Teachers are reviewing the students’ work and deciding which students may need counseling based of what they create or say.

“It gave us insight into what kids needed more counseling,” Blair said. She said parent’s of students who seem extremely upset, afraid or angry will be called.

Students in Jersey’s class are undergoing more exercises to help them mourn in a healthy manner, Blair said.

“I didn’t see a lot of tears,” Blair said about her visit to the classroom. “It is sort of like a celebration of her life. They were writing her name and allowed to write letters to her.”

Lori Passmore, assistant principal, said many students drew pictures of Jersey swinging on a swing set.

The book “A Terrible Thing Happened,” by Margaret Homes also has been read, Blair said. She said the book talks about what children should do when exposed to tragic incidents.

A letter will be sent home tonight to the parents of all kindergarten parents at the school, Blair said. The letter details the script read to students. It also provides tips parents should use at home when speaking with children.

Continuing a safe and normal routine with adults that remain calm, reassuring and supportive is important, the letter states. Parents should talk to their children when they are ready to talk and rely on school or professional counselors if they feel they are not skilled to speak with their children properly, the document states.