Bensalem School Mourns 8th Grader's Death

BENSALEM, PA — The Shafer Middle School community in Bensalem was mourning one of its own on Tuesday, with news that an eighth-grade student had passed away.

Aiden Rooney died Monday afternoon, Bensalem Township School District Superintendent Samuel Lee said Tuesday in a letter to the school community.

"Aiden was a terrific classmate, friend, and student who made valuable contributions to the Shafer community," Lee wrote. "He a passionate percussionist in the Shafer band and orchestra."

The cause of death was not released in the letter.

Counselors, social workers, and additional mental health team members were on hand at the school Tuesday and will continue to be available as long as needed, Lee said.

He reminded parents that a sudden loss can have an impact on students and urged them to listen to their children and discuss their feelings about the tragic death. Signs of stress could include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Inability to concentrate
• Irritability
• Increased aggression
• Thoughts of death or dying
• Threats/statements about wanting to hurt themselves
• Hopelessness
• Isolation
• Withdrawing from normal activities and friends
• Guilt
• Fearfulness and worries
• Use of alcohol or other drugs

Anyone with concerns about their student is encouraged to call the school's guidance office at 215-750-2800, Ext. 2210 or 2211. If a child is having difficulty after school hours, parents may call Bucks County Mobile Crisis at 1-877-435-7709.

Additional resources available locally include:

• Family Services Association of Bucks County: 215-757-6916
• Maternal Child Consortium (MCC): 267-525-7000
• Lenape Valley Crisis Center: 215-785-9765
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

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