Brophy School Mourns Anya Lizardo

first grade student

Brophy Principal Frank Rothwell sent the following letter to parents.

"I am writing with great sadness to inform you of the death of Anya Lizardo, Brophy first grader, who died in a car accident on Thursday night.

The Brophy community mourns Anya’s passing and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones.  Anya was a delightful girl who positively touched the lives of all the teachers, staff and students who had the pleasure to work with her at Brophy School.  We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy.

With only a few days of school left prior to summer vacation, we are all concerned with how students will take this loss.  It is important for us all to think together how children can best be helped to deal with such a tragedy.  The Brophy crisis team has worked all day to create a plan to help us deal with this as a school and as a community in these final days of school. 

Children learn from all the adults in their lives and it is important that we all remain strong and allow the children opportunities to express their feelings and emotions in a safe and nurturing environment.  Below, I have included some recommended websites that address this issue.  I hope parents have the opportunity to read through them and find them useful. 

We are going to open Brophy School on Saturday from 9 to 12 for any parents, students or staff members that would like to come by to meet with a grief counselor.  No appointment is necessary; please simply stop in and we will meet with you.  On Monday, faculty and support staff will be addressing the issue in each class in an age appropriate manner. Extra counselors from other schools in the district have volunteered and will be available in the building to help those who need extra support.  Any child who is struggling will meet with a counselor.   

This is a very difficult situation for all involved and we are sensitive to the fact that everyone deals with loss differently and in their own way.  We will be doing all we can through the end of the school year to continue to provide the children at Brophy School with a safe and supportive atmosphere. 

Returning to and supporting routines are also important with regards to the healing process for both students and the school.  Our planned Move-Up day activities will still occur on Monday, as will our 5^th Grade Completion activities that evening. 

At this time, we have not received any information regarding services for Anya.  As we learn more, we will communicate what we know with the Brophy community through our school web page.  I thank everyone for their understanding and concern for Anya’s family. "