Classes resumed at the high school today with grief counseling available following the shooting of two SHHS students in Maple Heights Saturday night.
Senior Jayden Bonner was killed. The other student was injured.
Principal Isaiah Wyatt and Associate Principal Elizabeth Massey addressed students in a video shown during Crew, a 40-minute homeroom-like meeting that occurs when needed after second period class.
“I just encourage you guys to lean into each other in a way that we see each other, we support each other, we help each other,” Wyatt said during the video.
The incident follows a shooting that occurred April 1, when a former SHHS student was fatally shot by a current SHHS student at the Shaker Heights Main Library after school. The student has been charged with murder, felonious assault and carrying a concealed weapon, among other felonies.
Students who felt the need to leave class and seek help today could use “grief passes” provided by teachers. “That grief pass you can use to take a break or to come to the main library if you need to meet with support staff,” Massey said. High school counselors and social-emotional learning support staff were stationed in the library throughout the day.
Freshman Noelle Davis said that the halls were quieter today. “There hasn’t been any foolishness,” she said.
Senior Benedetta Strangi said that she did not see any students take grief passes. “I think a lot of people who are grieving are not coming to school today,” she said.
Said Wyatt, “As a part of a community, when one hurts, we all hurt. And when one celebrates, we all celebrate.”
Maizy Machmer-Wessels and Graham Gurney contributed reporting.
