Principal: Sixth grader’s death ‘incredibly heartbreaking’ for students, staff

By Brandi Makuski

PLOVER — A tragic loss has shaken the Roosevelt Elementary School community following the drowning death of Yim (pronounced “Yee”) Moua, an incoming sixth grader, at Lake Pacawa on Aug. 31.

Principal Kelly Snyder-Chase said this is the first time in her 10 years at the school that she has had to deliver the news of a student’s death to her staff and students.

“It’s been incredibly heartbreaking,” Snyder-Chase said. “Yim was a very well-loved student by peers and staff alike. He had a great group of friends and was really liked by his classmates. It’s very difficult for children to process the death of someone their age, and this has had a profound impact on our sixth-grade class.”

Moua had attended Roosevelt Elementary since second grade. Snyder-Chase said she learned of his death on Sunday and immediately contacted the district administration. Communication with students and families was delayed until the school could notify Moua’s family.

In an email to parents sent on Monday, the district shared the news of Moua’s death. “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of a tragic loss in our school community,” an email from Chris Nyman,
Assistant Superintendent & Director of Elementary Education, read. “Yim was a beloved member of our school, and we know this news may be difficult for your child to process.”

Parents were provided tips on how to talk to their children about the loss, including being open to questions, addressing “magical thinking,” and watching for signs of distress.

Snyder-Chase held an emergency staff meeting on Monday, where plans were discussed, and staff were prepared to support students. The following day, she met with the sixth-grade class to share the news.

“We talked about what grief looks like and that there’s no right or wrong way to grieve,” she said. “You might feel happy one day and sad another day, and that’s okay. Even if you weren’t close to him, you might still feel really sad, and we talked about different adults they could speak to.”

The school brought in additional student services staff on Tuesday, the first day of the 2024-25 school year, to help students cope and established a rotating schedule of support from the district. The district’s employee assistance program (EAP) was also made available to staff for grief counseling.

Snyder-Chase said students have responded in various ways, with some organizing a memorial football game on Monday afternoon in Moua’s honor.

“There were definitely a lot of tears, but also some sharing of great memories,” she said. “Apparently, he really loved Jolly Ranchers, so there have been a lot of those in sixth grade this week.”

Snyder-Chase emphasized the importance of allowing students to experience a full range of emotions during this difficult time.

“It’s okay to have those moments of happiness too, and there’s no guilt in feeling a spectrum of emotions,” she said. “It’s just been a very difficult loss for all of us.”

Nyman’s email to families included the following advice:

Talking to Your Child About the Loss
We understand that death can be confusing and challenging for children to comprehend. Your child may have questions about death, grief, and how to support their friends during this difficult time. Here are some tips adapted from the National School Counseling Association that may help you navigate these conversations:

• Be Open to Questions: Your child may ask many questions as they try to understand what has happened. Be patient and provide honest, age-appropriate answers. It’s okay to admit if you don’t have all the answers, and you can reassure them by saying that it’s normal to feel confused or sad.
• Address Magical Thinking: Children might believe that the death could have been prevented or that they could have somehow changed the outcome. Acknowledge their feelings but gently guide them to understand that this is not the case.
• Watch for Signs of Distress: Some children may struggle more with this news and may show signs that they need additional support. Look for regressive behaviors, fear of separation, difficulty concentrating, behavioral challenges, withdrawal from activities or friends, or physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches.

Parents who noticed their child struggling with the news were encouraged to reach out to the school for additional support.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help the Moua family pay for funeral expenses.