Barcroft Kindergarten Teacher Found Dead

A 30-year-old Barcroft Elementary School kindergarten teacher was found dead this morning in her Cherrydale home.

Police and paramedics responded to Morgan Harre’s home on the 2200 block of N. Pollard Street just after 9:00 a.m. this morning, after receiving a “check on the welfare” call from Arlington Public Schools. Harre was found unresponsive and pronounced dead on the scene.

Police say it appears that Harre suffered a “medical emergency,” possibly related to a preexisting medical condition, which led to her death. No foul play is suspected, according to Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

In a letter to parents sent this afternoon, Barcroft principal Collette Bounet said students have not yet been informed of Ms. Harre’s death. Grief counselors were at Barcroft today to support school staff, and will be there tomorrow for staff and students.

The full letter from the school, after the jump.

Photo via Facebook

Dear Barcroft Community,

It is never easy to share sad news, but as a community we all help and support each other during these challenging times in our lives.  Today we learned of the untimely passing of one of our staff members, kindergarten teacher, Ms. Morgan Harre.  At the present time, we do not have any details about services or memorials, but will share them with you as we receive the information. All of us at Barcroft Elementary School extend our deepest sympathy to the teacher’s family and friends.

We did not share this news with students because we believe that you will want to talk with your child(ren) first at home.  I have included a website you can go to that offers suggestions as to ways you can speak with your child in regards to this situation.  http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/index.aspx. There are attachments included with this letter.

Grief counselors from our central office were at school today to support our staff as we shared the news with them after the students left for the day.  They will be available tomorrow at school to assist me, Mr. Reich, and APS staff as children learn about Ms. Harre’s death.  Our counselors will continue to be available in the coming weeks as needed. Tomorrow, our counselor Ms. Bullen will be in the classroom to talk with the students.

Because of our small and close school community, the loss of anyone touches all of us.  When someone close to a child dies, children react in many different ways. Children respond to death and grief in many different ways and is influenced by their developmental level.  In the National Association of School Psychologists website, they speak to bereavement reactions of children. I encourage you to read the “Tips for Parents” article to prepare for your discussion.

Please be alert to any changes in your child’s behavior such as:

• Physical changes, including changes in sleep patterns or eating habits;
• Emotional changes such as unusual fears, anger, worry or anxiety; or
• Social changes like loss of interest in normal daily activities.

The Barcroft staff and I welcome calls from all of our families and we are willing to provide any additional assistance if needed.  If you or your child has any difficulty dealing with this situation, or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 703-228-5838.

We thank you in advance for your support of your child(ren), staff, especially our  during this time. Again, I will inform you of services or memorials as the information becomes available.

Warm regards,

Collette Bounet
Principal