Classmates mourn 12-year-old's death from H1N1 complications (video)
BY JOHN HULT ? ARGUS LEADER ? November 23, 2009
Classmates of a Patrick Henry Middle School student who died as a result of complications from the H1N1 flu virus spent the weekend honoring their friend.
Tyler Newville died Friday night after three days of illness and two days away from school. His parents took him to the hospital on Friday, where he died from complications of influenza and pneumonia.
?He was in really deep, deep shock,? Tyler's father Tim Newville said. ?That was what killed him.?
Newville is the 20th South Dakotan to die as a result of the virus.
The Sioux Falls School District sent automated voice messages to parents of Patrick Henry students on Friday night telling them the school would be open through the weekend.
A handful of students showed up, Principal Steve Albrecht said. When they got there, there were counselors, teachers and supplies for posters and banners.
The students made posters for the walls in the sixth grade hallway where Newville walked from class to class and a banner to hang from the ceiling.
By the time students came to school this morning, most of them knew what had happened, Instructional Support Services Director Bill Smith said.
?They communicate with family and friends,? Smith said. ?That circle - that's how they get the word out.?
Students spent their first period today talking about Newville. Around 50 students saw counselors with the district's crisis team during the morning. That group was at the school until about noon.
?For a lot of kids, it's the first time they've encountered the death of someone close to their age,? Smith said.
Students wrote messages on the posters throughout the day that spoke of their classmate's character.
?He was a young man who was just full of life and he brought that positive presence to others,? Albrecht said. ?He was the type of kid others were drawn to.?
For more on this story, stay with ArgusLeader.com and read Tuesday?s Argus Leader. Reach John Hult at 331-2301.
BY JOHN HULT ? ARGUS LEADER ? November 23, 2009
Classmates of a Patrick Henry Middle School student who died as a result of complications from the H1N1 flu virus spent the weekend honoring their friend.
Tyler Newville died Friday night after three days of illness and two days away from school. His parents took him to the hospital on Friday, where he died from complications of influenza and pneumonia.
?He was in really deep, deep shock,? Tyler's father Tim Newville said. ?That was what killed him.?
Newville is the 20th South Dakotan to die as a result of the virus.
The Sioux Falls School District sent automated voice messages to parents of Patrick Henry students on Friday night telling them the school would be open through the weekend.
A handful of students showed up, Principal Steve Albrecht said. When they got there, there were counselors, teachers and supplies for posters and banners.
The students made posters for the walls in the sixth grade hallway where Newville walked from class to class and a banner to hang from the ceiling.
By the time students came to school this morning, most of them knew what had happened, Instructional Support Services Director Bill Smith said.
?They communicate with family and friends,? Smith said. ?That circle - that's how they get the word out.?
Students spent their first period today talking about Newville. Around 50 students saw counselors with the district's crisis team during the morning. That group was at the school until about noon.
?For a lot of kids, it's the first time they've encountered the death of someone close to their age,? Smith said.
Students wrote messages on the posters throughout the day that spoke of their classmate's character.
?He was a young man who was just full of life and he brought that positive presence to others,? Albrecht said. ?He was the type of kid others were drawn to.?
For more on this story, stay with ArgusLeader.com and read Tuesday?s Argus Leader. Reach John Hult at 331-2301.
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