Crisis Response Team Helps Students Cope With Death of FLHS 10th Grader

A 10th grade student at Fort Lee High School died Saturday of complications from juvenile diabetes, school officials said.

In a statement posted on the school district’s website Sunday, Acting Superintendent of Schools Steven Engravalle said of the death of Matthew Ramon Calderon, “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

“This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our entire school community, especially our students,” Engravalle said in the letter to parents, guardians and community members. “Please be aware that the Fort Lee Public Schools has a Crisis Response Team made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents and school personnel at difficult times such as this.”

Members of the Crisis Response team were on hand starting Monday to speak with students individually or in groups for “as long as needed,” according to Engravalle.

Attached to the statement is information from the school district’s “Crisis Plan,” a guide for responding to traumatic events.

Fort Lee Board of Education president Arthur Levine said Engravalle assembled a crisis team Sunday night, including high school principal Priscilla Church, assistant principal James Albro, Director of School Counseling Services Jamie Ciofalo, Director of Special Services Ann Marie Bruder and Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich.

“In short order, they went over what the appropriate response is and gave out assignments,” Levine said Monday after a roughly 45-minute visit to the school. “They re-assigned district personnel—a lot of guidance people moved to the high school to provide counseling for the students. I was there this morning, and it appears that everything is going according to their plan.”

Teachers were notified [Sunday] night as to what the special plan would be for Monday, Levine said, including any adjustments to the schedule. He added that the crisis team worked late into the night, and that he and other members of the school board are “grateful for all their hard work during a difficult time.”

Levine lauded Sokolich in particular for doing “whatever was needed.”

“That’s just what he does,” Levine said. “He’s always just ready to help.”

He also said Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas Ripoli arranged for extra police presence at the high school Monday.

“Everybody just stands ready to help,” Levine said. “Certainly the passing of a child is probably the worst thing that can happen, and certainly our hearts go out to his mother and his family. It’s just a terrible situation.”

Levine said Monday morning it was too early to fully gauge how kids are coping at the school.

“I saw some kids upset in our staff’s walkthrough,” Levine said. “There were some people congregating in the bathrooms, and they were directing them to the grief counselors.”

No information regarding funeral arrangements was available Sunday night, but the Fort Lee Suburbanite reported Monday afternoon that a wake and funeral directed by Frank Patti and Kenneth Mikatarain Funeral Home will take place Tuesday at the at 359 Whiteman St.

The wake is from 3 to 7 p.m. with the funeral mass beginining at 7 p.m., according to the paper.

Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to the service, Engravalle said.

“We are all deeply saddened by the loss to our school community,” he said in the letter. “Rest assured that we will make every effort to help you and your child as needed.”

Those in need of more information or assistance are asked to contact John Coviello at 201-585-4679.

To access Engravalle's letter and the "Fort Lee Public Schools Department of School Counseling Services Social-Emotional Crisis Plan," click here, or visit the school district's website.