Concord Sixth-Grader Passes Away Last Night

The Rundlett Middle School community is mourning the loss of one of their own today as a sixth-grader passed away after a medical emergency on May 27, 2015.

Natalie Velez, according to Principal Tom Sica, was sent to the hospital yesterday morning because of a medical emergency and then passed away during the evening. Sica sent out a letter to the parent and student community this morning about Velez’s passing and said guidance teams would be on hand to assist students during this upsetting and saddening time for them.

Velez, who has a twin sister that attends a separate sixth-grade cluster at the school, was a member of the Rundlett Unified Team and had “many friends throughout the building in all grades” as well as friends at the Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, where she attended classes last year, according to Pica.

“We need to remember that a stunning loss like this can trigger a host of emotional reactions and that there is no right or wrong way to express grief,” he said in the letter. “We will need to support each other and remain a strong community during this sorrowful time.”

Sica said that everyone at the school is trying to cope with and understand the very sad news for the school. Concord is a “wonderful community,” he said, while adding that many people have already offered to lend support and assistance to students and staffers in need.

Concord NH Patch will follow up this post with more information as it becomes available.