There are times as we go along with our lives when the world seems to shift. In that moment we long for the blessing of those days we once thought of as common. In one clear instant, we know what is most important to us and some of us are forced to find a source of strength deep within us we never knew existed. One such moment was when we lost one of our own precious students, Matthew Ravner. Without hesitation or attention to their own needs the Jericho School staff and administration knew what was important to them and found the strength to offer much needed assistance, guidance and comfort to our children.

In the minutes, hours and days that followed the tragic loss of Matthew, the staff and administration of Jericho schools put their needs on hold and with careful attention reached out to each and every one of our seniors. Within minutes, emergency support staff was up at the high school, staff members were in every classroom and hallway vigilantly attending to the needs of our students. Within hours they organized a candlelight vigil as a way to help our students and the community express their grief. In the days to follow, each senior and their family was contacted by a staff member or administrator, who knew them well, in an effort to pass along information and to offer support and words of comfort. The staff and administration kept the school building open and staffed for counseling on Saturday, they comforted our students at Matthew's wake and stood side by side with them at his funeral. Most important of all, they have been to the Ravner's home day after day to comfort them, mourn with them and share in their grief. Their dedication to the emotional well-being of our children was overwhelming. We are so grateful. We hope that now that some time has passed they will finally allow themselves to grieve so we might have a chance to be there for them.

The Jericho Board of Education and the superintendent, Mr. Grishman, sent a clear message to the staff and administration to keep watch over our children and each other for any signs of distress in the days and weeks that followed Matthew's death. We thank each and every faculty member, administrator, Mr. Grishman and the board of education for all they have done and will continue to do for each one of our students. We would also like to thank the board of ed and superintendent for the careful attention they have paid to improving the driving conditions at our schools. It is quite clear that the safety of our children is of the utmost importance to them and that the seriousness of this tragic accident required more than a cursory review and a quick fix. They have handled the situation with the careful consideration it deserves and in an efficient manner given the time constraints the monthly board of ed meetings impose.

We also appreciate the manner in which our students have conducted themselves. The students have suffered a great loss and have had to deal with a tremendously difficult situation at a very tender age. They held themselves together for each other, for the Ravner family and most importantly, for Matthew. On the day of Matthew's funeral we watched them walk across the school fields to St. Paul's Church in a dignified, solemn assembly of solidarity. They were a sight to behold. Our hearts broke for them, but we were so proud of them. As difficult as it was for them, they tapped into the strength deep within themselves, held fast to each other and attended the candlelight vigil, the wake and the funeral in an effort to show their love and respect for Matthew and his family. The students graciously relinquished their driving privileges and have been patiently awaiting the results of the safety review and the board of ed's decision regarding driving at Jericho. We are very proud of each one of our students and hope they will continue to seek support from each other, their parents and the capable Jericho School staff and administration.

Our final and enduring thoughts and prayers are for Matthew and his family. Their grief is too infinite for most of us to comprehend; yet we feel Matthew's loss deeply. Our hope for the entire Ravner family is that they will be gentle with themselves and that they will remember that we are holding them close in our hearts.

It is in the darkest moments of our lives that we realize who and what is truly important. On Friday September 9, Matthew Ravner shined a light on what is important, our families, our friends and our community. As the days pass, watch over one another so as not to forget what we have learned.

Jericho Joint Council of PTAs