(Last updated 11 p.m. December 11, 2007) 

The Hill community continued to grieve the death of a sixth form student today, although tremendous support was extended to students by faculty, counselors, and clergy, and palpable care for one another was shared among faculty and staff colleagues. (Please see the posting below from December 10 for additional information.) 

Headmaster David R. Dougherty is writing a letter to be published soon on this site. He was a visible presence among students and faculty last evening and throughout the day on campus Tuesday. Please check back to read his message, which will contain additional information about campus plans.  

The day on Tuesday began with a modified schedule: Last night, students were encouraged to try to sleep in this morning, attend breakfast, then meet at 10:10 with their faculty advisers. Faculty members had met beforehand as a group with the Headmaster and School counselor.  The Headmaster thanked the teachers and, especially, dormitory parents for making their top priority "providing thoughtful care and support for our kids." 

Later, advisers began making personal contact with each of their advisees' parents or guardians to provide reassurance about the attention and thoughtfulness present throughout the School community.  Parents who have particular concerns about their student are encouraged to communicate well with their student's adviser. 

Students spent the rest of the day in classes and athletics practices; all games were cancelled. The primary purpose of today's classes was to provide students with the comfort of their routine and the opportunity for them to be with their teachers and peers.  

This evening at 9 p.m., all sixth form students were invited to gather in the Student Center for refreshments and fellowship with classmates.

On Wednesday, students will follow their usual class schedule, with athletics and other activities resuming as fully as possible.  Students who wish to see a counselor or pastor may do so at any time, of course. Counselors again will be available in the Health Center, and the Alumni Memorial Chapel will be open for reflection and prayer.   

(Website posting of December 10, 2007:)

It is with profound grief that Headmaster David R. Dougherty shared late this afternoon (Monday, Dec. 10) that a Hill School sixth form (senior) student died this afternoon in his dormitory. The young man, who was 18, is a resident of Southbury, Conn.

The young man’s parents have been contacted by the Headmaster and they are traveling to The Hill. Further details will be shared as additional information is confirmed by the coroner and others.

The School community extends its deepest sympathies to the young man’s family.

Students who live in Foster Dormitory, where the student lived, were quickly gathered by faculty and moved to another dormitory, where they stayed with faculty and School counseling staff. Later this afternoon, an announcement was sent to the School community and all students gathered in Alumni Memorial Chapel at 5:30 p.m. The Headmaster met briefly with faculty to inform them of the situation, then all faculty joined the students in the chapel.

The community prayed together for the young man and for his family and friends, and faculty remained in the Chapel to comfort students. The Chapel will be open into the evening, and a chaplain will be present. At 9:30 this evening the Rev. Dr. John Houghton will lead prayers for any students, faculty, or staff who wish to spend some time with others in this space. 

“I am so extremely sad and so very, very sorry to tell you this,” Headmaster Dougherty told the students and faculty, encouraging them to reach out to one another in their grief. “I love you all.”

All students will be in their dormitories tonight, where faculty will be on duty. The School has arranged to bring additional counselors to students so that they, along with the School’s counselor and chaplains, will be available to students  on a continual basis overnight (in the Health Center) and over the coming days. 

Please check the website again for additional information about campus plans.

(Parents seeking information about Tuesday's schedule should go to the Parents' section of the website; click Additional information .)