UPDATE: Counselors Helping Solon Students Cope with Classmate's Death

UPDATE 1:57 P.M. WEDNESDAY:

Counselors and staff at a number of Solon schools are helping students deal with the death Monday of fifth grader Maliyah Jones.

Schools spokeswoman Tammy Strom said that counselors and staff at Orchard Middle School -- where Maliyah went to school -- and Parkside Elementary and Solon High schools -- where Maliyah's siblings attend -- will have an open-door policy for anyone who needs to talk or reassurance in their time of grief.

"Our counselors are very good about keeping their doors open for any student who needs support," Strom said.

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A Solon fifth-grader and her mother were killed in a car crash Monday, according to Solon Schools.

Solon schools sent out an email alert to parents informing them that Maliyah Jones, a fifth-grader at Orchard Middle School, died Monday night in a tragic car accident.

Schools officials also said Maliyah's mother, Malaka Jones, had died in the same crash. Maliyah has three siblings in the school district.

Few details have been confirmed about the accident at this point, including where it occurred and how it happened. Stay tuned to Solon Patch for more information as it becomes available.

Here is the complete letter from Solon schools:

Dear Solon Schools’ families: 

The thoughts and prayers of the Solon Schools’ community today are with the family of Maliyah Jones, a Solon student who passed away last night in a tragic accident. Maliyah was a fifth grader at Orchard Middle School. 

For those students who knew Maliyah well, the guidance counselor and psychologist at Orchard are prepared to help them address their feelings of loss. The school counselors, administrators and all staff will have an open-door policy to assist students who need to talk or need reassurance at any time. Counselors will also be available at the other Solon Schools (Parkside and Solon High School) where Maliyah’s siblings Antonio, Dayna and Khrystian attend. 

In addition, the Bereavement Center of Hospice of the Western Reserve, which helps schools handle situations such as this, can provide assistance to students and families as well. The number for the Bereavement Center is 216-486-6838. 

The counselors at the Bereavement Center stress that it is important for families to understand that each child deals with loss in his or her own way. The most important thing for parents to do is to be supportive and listen to their children if they need to talk. Some children won’t want to talk about a loss and move on as if nothing has happened. This also is a normal response. A resource guide for Common Grief Reactions is attached and is also posted on the home page of each of the Solon Schools to assist parents. 

At this time, Maliyah’s family needs space and time to deal with their loss. If additional information becomes available or if there is assistance that the family requests, we will pass that information along to you.