Teacher from Bartlett dies after medical emergency at Pingree Grove school

A "beloved" eighth-grade science teacher and volleyball coach at Cambridge Lakes Charter School in Pingree Grove died last week, school officials said.

Danielle Kamp, 43, of Bartlett suffered a "serious medical emergency" before the start of school May 8, Principal Nicole Brady wrote in a letter posted on the school's website.

"Staff responded quickly to provide assistance to their colleague while others worked to contain students within classrooms," Brady wrote.

Few staff members and students were present. Students were kept away to limit exposure and allow paramedics to work on Kamp, who died while being treated at a hospital, Brady wrote.

"Danielle was a beloved teacher who was deeply respected by students and staff alike during her five-year tenure at Cambridge Lakes Charter School," Brady wrote. "The passing of a staff member can be an incredibly emotional event for a student. Staff are also clearly distraught and we have numerous counselors and administrative staff on hand to assist."

Community Unit District 300 administrators have reassigned several staff members from other schools to help cover Cambridge Lakes classrooms.

"However, we are finding that many CLCS teachers are not able to return to class due to the impact that this has had on them," Brady wrote. "If a teacher is unable to return to the classroom, then their classes will be provided a substitute for the duration of that class period."

The District 300 crisis team also has been at the school supporting families grieving Kamp's loss.

"She was integral in working with a family donation to bring a sustainable dissection program to our science curriculum for fifth (through) eighth grades," said Sylvia Polletta, CEO of the Northern Kane Educational Corp., which oversees Cambridge Lakes' operations. "She helped lead many students to the state science fair as well as host STEM camps. She supported and attended many of our School's Out Dare to be Rare camps for girls in fifth (through) eighth grades involving them in team-building activities meant to grow confidence, challenge themselves through cooperation, strengthen communication skills, and show care and commitment toward each other."

Visitation for Kamp was Monday at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory in Bartlett, followed by a funeral service.