Since returning from April break, the Concord-Carlisle community has truly leaned into its most defining strength: its compassion. In navigating such profound loss, the community has also been encompassed in so much love. Co-Principals Katie Stahl and Brian Miller said it best in their message to the community: “What has stood out through it all is our community’s strength, compassion, and unity.”
Wider Circles of Support
Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter shared that although her heart was heavy, it “is full of gratitude and appreciation for the extraordinary resilience, compassion, and care that have been evident.”
Guidance Department Chair Alison Nowicki and Wellness Coordinator Cristina Jonson explained, “Local clinicians and area school counselors have volunteered their time and hearts to help support all of our students,” adding how “Individuals and organizations have donated food and coffee” to help as well.
This community-wide care has extended far beyond the walls of CCHS. Neighboring school districts, local law enforcement agencies, and organizations like Riverside Trauma and the Eliot Center have also offered their time and resources. As mentioned, daily donations, from assorted snacks provided by the CCHS Parents’ Association, to coffee and donuts donated by Dunkin’, have all served as a reminder of the broader network of support surrounding the school.
Along with sweet treats, comfort was also found in therapy dogs, many from local police departments and community organizations. Dogs have since become daily visitors to the school, offering moments of calm and connection. “Students have said they have found comfort in their friends, therapy dogs, and counselors,” continued Nowicki and Jonson. “The number of moving moments and interactions that have highlighted the resilience of the students and the caring nature of the community has been in abundance.”
Comfort in Small Moments
With more dogs in the building, students could regularly expect to find a four-legged friend to hug and pet at any given moment. Whether they were greeting students at lunch or dropping into classrooms throughout the day, the addition of these small visits was anything but a small gesture for many.
Mental Health Awareness Month, being that it is regularly observed during the month of May, was also prioritized within the school building. The concept that grief is not linear, and healing doesn’t come on a schedule, was seen and felt throughout the community. A CCHS club, Thinker’s Agenda, sought to help others as they navigated this difficult period of time by providing self-care resources like coloring pages and bingo sheets to all who would like them. The installation of “Self Care Possibili-Teas” is set up in the Learning Commons. Resources are also located near it, encouraging students, staff, and families to seek out additional help if needed.
Other moments of support have come through Zoom sessions with the community, including, but not limited to, a virtual event led by the organization, Cartwheel Care. Sessions such as “How Trauma Affects Youth & Family Mental Health and How to Support Yourself and Your Kids” have supported families through these times.
Messages of Hope and Resilience
One of the most visible symbols of unity and remembrance has been CC Courage: the spirit of unity that CCHS students, staff, and families embody when faced with adversity. A moving testament to community connection unfolded during the Community Gathering on April 27, where hundreds came together on campus to honor the memories of the students lost. “It showed us how we are connected, how we support one another in times of loss, how we celebrate life, and how we are not alone,” said Nowicki and Jonson.
Since then, customized “CC Courage” flags have flown across campus, reflecting the love that continues to anchor the school community. This notion was even brought to life in a metaphorical hug through the hard work and care of “over 100 parents in Concord and Carlisle” who came together to make “CC Courage” bracelets for everyone in the school community.
Following the outpouring of love from the community, the principals were truly blown away. “Your kindness has been a beacon of light in this time of darkness,” wrote Miller and Stahl in the CCHS Weekly Wire. “We have never been so profoundly proud to be a part of this remarkable community.”
Nowicki and Jonson offered words of encouragement to the school community: “It is possible to find hope and kindness, even in the hardest of times, when it feels like life should not go on as normal. In these moments, we see a community come together to support one another. We each have our unique reactions and experiences, and that is okay. Try to find patience and acceptance. Be kind to each other and yourself. There is beauty in each day—together, let’s try to find it.”
Ongoing Support at School
Support for students and staff has been central to the school’s response. In addition to the ongoing care from our guidance department and mental health team, the administration has brought in several retired counselors and outside clinicians to be available throughout the school day. “To support our students and staff through the remainder of the academic year, we have hired several additional counselors and mental health clinicians… These professionals will continue to be available daily to offer care, guidance, and a listening ear,” Stahl and Miller continued.
Nowicki and Jonson emphasized that their mission during this time is simple but crucial: “The primary goal of our support at CCHS is to provide comfort, company, and strength to our student community. Grief and loss can feel incredibly lonely, and we have come together to remind each other that we are not alone.”
This period has been one of sorrow, but also one of immense grace. As Principal Stahl and Principal Miller shared, “We will continue to walk this path together—with care, with strength, and with hope.”
As the end of the academic year approaches, the administration remains committed to supporting students, especially the senior class, as they navigate both their grief and the crossroads ahead. “We miss Hannah, Jimmy, and Maisey,” Dr. Hunter affirmed. “Their memories and spirits will be the model for how we move forward.”
If you or someone you know needs support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the guidance department, staff members, or one of the counselors on site. The path forward is not easy, but here at CCHS, healing happens not in isolation, but hand in hand.
