September 2, 2008
Re:
Cindy Hibbitts
Dear Parents:
On Saturday, August 30, 2008, Marfa Elementary teacher Cindy Hibbitts passed away. The Marfa Elementary faculty met early this morning and received instruction to help facilitate the grieving process. Assemblies were held at both campuses and grief counselors from the area were present to work with students both individually and in small groups. Crisis response rooms were designated at each campus to assist students who were having difficulty.
Everyone grieves in his or her own way. Adolescents (12-18 years) exhibit different grieving behaviors. The following are examples: shock/denial; anger/aggressive behavior; feelings of guilt; sadness; idealization of the deceased person; completely consumed by the situation; and laughing/joking.
It is important to give your children the opportunity to acknowledge and discuss their feelings. If you need more assistance for your child, please call (MES) 729.4602 or (MJSHS) 729.3001.
Family visitation and viewing will be tonight at the First United Methodist Church, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The memorial service will be Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church at 3:30 p.m. School will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Burial will be Thursday at the family plot in Throckmorton, Texas, at 4:00 p.m.
A small commemorative ribbon will be given to each student to wear this week to honor Mrs. Hibbitts. For families who are providing alternate items to wear, pastel colors rather than black is more appropriate to Mrs. Hibbitts' memory.
All of us have suffered the loss of a friend and a wonderful educator to this community. We will miss her.
Sincerely,
Teloa Swinnea
Superintendent of Schools
