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Grief Counselors Aiding Students And Faculty At Howell Middle School



    Grief continues to grip the Crossroads community from the sudden and tragic shooting of Matthew Spann. Tonight, the Nueces County Medical Examiners Office confirmed to Newscenter 25 that Matthew, the son of Victoria Commissioner Kenny Spann and his wife Melissa, is brain dead but remains on life support so his organs can be donated.
    Today, Grief Counselors were on the campus of Howell Middle School to help Matthew’s classmates during this difficult time. Grief Counselors have been on hand at Howell Middle School since Tuesday morning and VISD representatives say they will continue to be available for as long as they are needed.
    Just like Tuesday’s County Commissioners Meeting, students and faculty at Howell Middle School have started each morning, since Matthew Spann inadvertently suffered a gun shot wound to the head, with a moment of silence.
    "They will probably continue to do that tomorrow as well. It's an extra way to process and grieve. The death of a child is a tremendous loss. This situation is incredibly sad,” said VISD Communication Specialist Diane Boyette.
    Grief Counselors from the Hospice of South Texas rushed to Howell on Tuesday as soon as their heard about the accident so that they could assist students and friends of the Spanns.
    "We were in the library and they were crying. They were huddled up in groups in masses. They were doing posters and trying to express their love. I had one young man there that was talking. He said he should have been there for him,” commented Pastor Larry Green, a Hospice Grief Counselor.
    VISD also has been providing District-Employed Counselors who are specially trained to work with students, staff, and even parents, as they work through the grief and process the sudden tragedy.
    "Parents have been told about the availability of the counselors. If a parent has a question [such as] I don't know how to talk to my child about this... They can go and talk to the counselors as well,” explained Boyette.
    While classes are continuing at Howell, Boyette says the Spann Family remains close in the minds and hearts of everyone in the District.
    "Our thoughts and prayers have been with them since Monday. They will continue. Our schools want to be as supportive as they can and respectful as we can of their family and their friends. This is an incredibly sad time."
    Boyette said that the counselors will be at Howell for as long as they are needed and across the street at Faith Family Church, Pastor Josh Joines explained that they are encouraging the students and praying with those who are grieving in tonight’s E3 Service.

Filed Under :  
Topics: Education
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Locations: Victoria
People: Diane Boyette, Employed Counselors, Josh Joines, Kenny Spann, Larry Green, Matthew Spann, Melissa
02/22/2012 6:54PM
Grief Counselors Aiding Students And Faculty At Howell Middle School
Please enter your comments below.
02/23/2012 4:09PM
coltin
I love u Matthew and will miss u forever I will always have u in my heart and I hope u will look down on me for the rest of my life I will love u forever
02/24/2012 1:29AM
miss yu
I miss yu alreadyy and its hard for me tyler and mark to say tht yur gone we cry everyday.. wwe love yu matt and yu will be missed
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