APRIL 14, 2016 • THE PORT TIMES RECORD • PAGE A5
Students grieve ninth-grader’s death By Elana Glowatz
Port Jefferson students lost a young classmate last Wednesday night, according to a message from the school district superintendent. In a letter to parents and community members the next day, Ken Bossert wrote that ninth-grader Dylan Berger had died on April 6, and asked people to respect the privacy of Dylan’s family as they grieved his loss. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” the superintendent wrote. He confirmed later, in a separate letter,
that Dylan killed himself, adding that “I have spoken to Dylan’s parents at length, and they are extremely grateful for the outpouring of love for Dylan.” Calling the suicide “a reality that is deeply troubling to contemplate,” Bossert directed parents to the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Long Island for more information. “Dylan’s parents felt it important for others to learn from this terrible tragedy.” Dylan was on the Royals wrestling team, competing at the Suffolk County championship this year. An online fundraising page in his memory, created by Port Jefferson Wrestling Booster Club,
Link: Fundraising for Dylan’s family The Port Jefferson Wrestling Booster Club created a fundraising page to support Dylan Berger’s family after the ninth-grade student killed himself. “It is our hope that this becomes fully funded so the family will never have to spend a moment worrying about the monetary aspect,” the group said. “A donation to this fund is more than a mere gesture. It is a way to impact this family in a positive manner. Together, we can show them that we, their friends, community members and loved ones stand beside them in this sad and troubling time.”
Parents can speak to social workers and counselors at a meeting in the high school auditorium on April 14. called the high school student “a vital member” of the team. According to Bossert, the school district held a meeting for the students in Dylan’s grade the morning after his death and has made counselors available to students to help them “cope with this tragedy.” “Each student is a valued member of our educational community and the death of a young person can have a profound effect on the entire school community,” Bossert wrote. “When such loss occurs, students and staff will react in different ways. Any reaction is normal in the grief process and can range from withdrawal to anger. I encourage you to speak with your children about how they are feeling and how to cope with the loss of a classmate. The most important thing we can do is to be supportive and encourage an open expression of feelings.” The district has also put together resources for parents to help them support the grieving students. There will be a
Photo from Mike Maletta
Dylan Berger was a ninth-grade student in Port Jefferson and a Royals wrestler.
meeting for parents in the high school auditorium on Thursday, April 14, at 7 p.m. that will allow parents to speak with social workers and counselors, high school Principal Christine Austen and middle school Principal Robert Neidig recently announced.
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