It is with extreme sorrow that we share information with our school community tonight. We have learned that Matthew Billetts, an 11th-grade student at Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School, unexpectedly passed away this afternoon. We offer our deepest sympathy to Matthew’s family and friends and will continue to keep them in our thoughts and our hearts during this most difficult time.

Coping with the loss of a student, friend and classmate may be one of the hardest challenges many of us will ever face. Tomorrow – Tuesday, June 14 – Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School will have a two-hour delayed opening for students. When students arrive at school, counseling and bereavement support services will be available to all of our students and our staff for support as together we process this tragic news and cope with our grief.

Counselors will be available throughout the day in the library/media center and auditorium for any students and staff who need or want support. We share this resource from the American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/grief.aspx and encourage families to talk with your children about this tragedy to help them work through their grief, confusion and sadness.

Please reach out to our administrative team or school counselors if you have questions or if we can be of further assistance to you.