massapequaNEWS.com

On January 24, 2008, Massapequa High School Senior Michael Gruber tragically and suddenly passed in his sleep due to an infection of meningococcal meningitis.  An excellent student, well-liked, involved and caring, he apparently lacked any sign of illness in school prior to his death. 

According to Acting Superintendent of Schools, Charles V. Sulc, the school has been working with the Nassau County Health Department and taken significant measures to inform parents, students and staff, especially those believed to have come into contact with Gruber.  No other students have exhibited any symptoms of the disease; including high fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and rash.  Parents have been informed, though, through the Parent Notification System (e-mail, direct mailings and telephone) to watch for these symptoms.  The custodial and maintenance staff has sanitized the building, but some students still feel a bit unsafe.  The school, however, insists that all necessary precautions have been taken in order to protect the safety of its students. 

The crisis intervention team is maintaining a presence at the school and grief counseling will be provided to students and staff at their request.  Attendance has not suffered from this horrific event, and Regents testing today will continue as normal and classes will resume on Monday, while the flag flies at half-mast as MHS mourns the loss of Michael Gruber.

At the January 25, 2008 Press Conference, Acting Superindentent Charles V. Sulc addressed the media,

"Thank you all for coming.

First let me say that for the family and close friends, we are terribly sorry for your loss.  There are really no words that can speak to a tragedy such as this, other than express our grief and support for all who loved and knew the student.  I ask that we all respect the privacy and dignity of the family at this difficult time.

The District is working very closely with the Nassau County Health Department and has taken their lead on how to address this matter. Because of the sudden nature of this case, we want to ensure parents, especially, are well-informed as to what happened in this case and what to do in case of a similar emergency.

Since we were informed of this matter yesterday, we have been directly notifying classmates, staff and other students who we believe may have come into direct contact with the student as per the Health Department guidelines.  Specific communications have gone out to all parent households and have been posted to our district website.  As a precautionary measure, custodial and maintenance staff have cleaned and sanitized the high school and other district facilities the student may have frequented.

Today is a Regents testing day at the high school, so attendance at the building is staggered.  Our crisis intervention team has been deployed, and grief counseling services will be provided to all students and staff as requested.  But I want to assure the parents of our Massapequa community that in cooperation with the Department of Health, we are doing all we can to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff."

On January 24, 2008, the Nassau County Department of Health notified the school district that a student at Massapequa High School-Main Campus had contracted bacterial meningitis.  In that regard, please CLICK HERE for important information on this illness. For further information, please contact your family's health care provider or school nurse