Community Reaches Out and to Each Other After Tragic Death

By Mary O’KEEFE

Flowers, candles, photos and notes in memory of Drew Ferraro line the bench just outside the front door of Crescenta Valley High School. The 15-year-old sophomore jumped to his death from the roof of the 2000 building on the school’s campus on Friday in an apparent suicide.
Several students witnessed the incident or the aftermath. Glendale Unified School District officials have arranged for counseling services to be available at Verdugo Hills Hospital for any student who needs counseling after the tragic event at the school. Through Monday students and their families can go to the Emergency Room at VHH, let the nurses know they are from CVHS and they will be helped, regardless if they have insurance or not. There is no cost to the students.
On Tuesday, site counselors from the district will be on campus to help students as they return to classes.
Rosemont Middle School Principal Cynthia Livingston is reaching out to her students, sending out the following:
“The last 48 hours have been difficult and confusing. Collectively we are seeking comfort.
If your heart is aching and seeking a way to help but you just don’t know how…
Have a Heart. Show YOU and your family CARE about the Crescenta Valley… it costs nothing – just a little effort and time. Sit down…ask every member of your family to participate. There has ALWAYS been something special about the Crescenta Valley…that’s why SO many of us grew up here, raise kids here AND have lived and worked here for 30+ years!
Life is precious and at times complicated. Although we don’t have all the answers we have a CHOICE in how we respond…not just with fear, blame & anger (although those are normal emotions in times of tragedy).
If you know HOPE, even in the midst of difficulty, we can CHOOSE LOVE.
Create a Valentine’s Card:
Say ‘I CARE’ and sign your name, age, city and how long you’ve lived or worked here!
The vision is that these will be collected, sorted & ready for distribution on Valentine’s Day when CV High School re-opens…Can you picture ALL 3,200 students and administration getting a card of encouragement that shows we as a community CARE when they return to campus on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Please drop off your cards at the collection box at Ralphs or bring them to Rosemont Middle School between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday. Thank you for taking the time to make a difference!”

  Mary Okeefe