Dist. 23 helping parents deal with grief, crisis

Prospect Heights Elementary District 23 is trying to help parents cope with the aftermath of recent events leading to a teacher's death.

The district will host a parent night on Wednesday, March 4, with two informational-discussion sessions on "Supporting our youth in times of crisis." The sessions will be held concurrently from 7 to 9 p.m. at the district's MacArthur Middle School, 700 N. Schoenbeck Road, Prospect Heights.

The sessions come on the heels of the recent suicide of MacArthur teacher Ronald Vos, 53, of Buffalo Grove. Police said Vos had confessed to sexually molesting a former student at the school before being charged with criminal sexual assault.

The sessions are geared toward parents of school-age children. OMNI Youth Services staff will make presentations on the stages of grief and on building safe and professional relationships between children and adults.

"In light of recent events that our district had been subjected to, we had heard from parents that it might be good for them to have an opportunity to be able to hear from and talk with professionals in these areas," District 23 Superintendent Greg Guarrine said. "We're hoping this will help parents with their discussions with children, as well as their own personal situation since this has affected so many people, both adults and children."

Guarrine said the goal of the sessions is not so much repairing the district's image as it is informing parents that, "we are here for the children."