Wicomico County Public School system issued an explanation as to why it decided not to hold a moment of silence in the wake of an apparent suicide.
The school system did not identify the student by name but the Salisbury Daily Times reports that social media identified her as 14-year-old Kaitlyn Purnell.
The statement said that the schools have responded to her death with “counseling services, compassion and a willingness to listen.”
The school system said that the mother of the Parkside High student has agreed with the decision not to hold a moment of silence and said she appreciated the school districts efforts in communicating with parents.
The Daily Times reports that friends of Purnell got support on Monday for a special lunch table setting and wearing personalized T-shirts with the student’s photo.
The county also said that Parkside staff and students wore green as a sign of solidarity.
