Dear Hudson Falls Families, Staff, and Community –
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that our community has lost a shining star. We have learned from the Goodness family that Christopher passed away early Friday evening after his courageous fight with cancer. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Goodness family and to all who feel the loss of such a special young man.
Christopher had a smile that could light up the room. He worked hard and never gave up on his school work. His kindness and overall positive outlook will be forever remembered. He was a friend to many and appreciated his friends and their encouragement along his battle. Although Christopher was self-sufficient, he knew his best buddies, Landon Sullivan and Christian Cook, were his wingmen. There are memories Landon and Christian will hold on to forever. There will be an empty chair in each classroom for this class but the memory of Christopher will continue.
His death impacts us deeply as an entire community. Many of your students will be responding in different ways. We encourage you to simply listen to and talk with your student. It is important to reassure your student that you love them and will support them as they come to cope with this information. Grief is a very individual process and there is no timeline.
Although we are no longer in session, we would still like to offer the following counseling opportunities.
- June 26 & 27 the Middle School will host a Grief Room open to any student from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. which will be staffed by Middle School Counselors and Grief Support staff.
- June 26 & 27 the Intermediate will host a Grief Room open to any student from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. which will be staffed by the Intermediate School Counselor.
- The remainder of the week a counselor will be available by appointment. Please reach out to Mr. Shaw at (518)-681-4314 or by email at jshaw3@hfcsd.org to make an appointment.
Chris’s courageous fight truly defines for us all what it means to be Tiger Strong. I am confident the compassion and care demonstrated by our community on behalf of Christopher and his family as he valiantly battled cancer will continue and flourish. His memory and all he brought to life will carry forward in each of us.
With our deepest condolences,
|
Daniel Ward Superintendent |
William Whitty |
Grief Counseling Resources
Community Hospice– https://www.hospicegriefservices.com/children-and-teens
Touchstone Services – (518) 232-7789
- Grief specialist by telehealth.
Providers in area:
High Peaks Hospice
Julia Lebentritt Soto
Pediatric Bereavement Facilitator
The Community Hospice at Rensselaer
295 Valley View Boulevard
Rensselaer, NY 12144
518-285-8116 – Part time
518-724-0200 – Main number. Ask for pediatric or adult bereavement services.
jsoto@communityhospice.org
Greater Life Grief Counseling
Resources and support
kelly@glgriefcounseling.com