Dear Grandview Heights Schools Students, Parents, and Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today to share the sad news that one of our own staff members, Brandon Theiss, a special education teacher with Grandview Heights Schools, recently passed away. We have spoken to Brandon’s wife, Janel, and she has given us permission to share this heartbreaking news with the community.
The Grandview Heights Schools “Crisis Team” met today at 9:30 a.m. to devise a comprehensive plan of action to support his family, students, staff, and the community. We have already communicated with the entire Grandview Heights Schools staff as well as the students and families that he directly worked with for the past three years.
Grandview Heights Schools will be hosting an optional opportunity for students, parents, and staff to gather, hear information, and meet individually or in small groups with counselors tomorrow morning, Saturday, July 28th, at Edison Intermediate/Larson Middle School (1240 Oakland Ave, Columbus, OH 43212) from 10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
By visiting the main office of the school, we can help direct each person to the type of support or space they need. Everyone handles grief of this type in their own way and we respect everyone’s individual process. We will have separate spaces for parents, students, and staff to meet with individual counselors from Grandview Heights Schools as well as Syntero Counseling. We will also have common spaces for groups to meet with one another and/or hear about additional information. Some of these topics include recognizing and normalizing reactions, suggestions for self-care and communication with loved ones during this time, and signs to look for that may indicate additional supports could be helpful.
Informational handouts will also be available. In addition, we are providing some online resources to help support our community throughout this difficult time on the following topics.
Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
Supporting Teens After The Death of a Close Friend
Ohio Health A Guide for Grieving Teens
At this point we do not have any details regarding funeral arrangements, but will pass that information along as soon as we learn more. I know that everyone has a strong desire to “help do something for the family” as it is the number one question that I am asked. We are working collaboratively with the family to determine the best course of action, but at this time no final decisions have been made. We all want to be supportive yet we also must respect their privacy and feelings related to this event. As we learn more about how best to support Brandon’s wife and two daughters, we will be certain to communicate that information as well.
I know I speak for our entire Grandview Heights Schools’ community and family when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with Janel, the girls, and Brandon’s extended family.
Humbly,
Andy Culp, Superintendent
Update on funeral arrangements:
The Theiss Family has shared formal arrangements for Brandon Theiss, which are outlined below. Brandon’s wife, Janel, has indicated that anyone who would choose to attend is welcome. Please keep Janel and the entire family in your thoughts and prayers.
Visitation for Brandon Theiss
Tuesday, July 31, 2018, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, 550 Hill Rd. N, Pickerington, OH 43147
Full details at http://www.spencefuneralhome.c
Service for Brandon Theiss
Wednesday, August 1, 2018, beginning at noon
Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, 550 Hill Rd. N, Pickerington, OH 43147
Full details at http://www.spencefuneralhome.c
For members of the community who would like to support the Theiss family during this difficult time, a gofundme account has been established at http://www.gofundme.com/brando
Related read: http://www.thisweeknews.com/news/20180727/grandview-schools-intervention-specialist-dies-at-39