WINNIPEG – Staff at River East Collegiate started Monday with the crisis support team, meeting to outline a support plan for mourning students and families.
Twelve people including social support workers and councellors are trying to provide everyone at the school with help after the tragic murder of 17-year-old Cooper Nemeth.
“Hopefully those students can find a spot in our building where they can comfort each other,” Diana Posthumus, principal at River East Collegiate said. “We will make sure they have what they need to cope.”
Posthumus said support will be available both in the classroom and school offices for anyone in need of help.
WATCH: Global’s Shannon Cuciz talks about how Cooper Nemeth’s school is setting up support staff for students
“Today may not have as many students coming to school with the incident just happening on the weekend,” Posthumus explained. “This afternoon we’re hoping that the majority of those students that were directly involved will be coming to school.”
READ MORE: Police charge 22-year-old with second-degree murder in Cooper Nemeth death
Posthumus read a school wide announcement to start the day honouring Nemeth. Staff are also working with students in classrooms letting them know what happened.
Classes are running as scheduled at River East Collegiate Monday and staff are encouraging students to take part in their regular activities.
“We’ll figure out where the needs are in the building,” guidance councellor at River East Collegiate Paul Anderson said. “It’s a process that will continue throughout the week and year to be honest.”
Anderson said Nemeth was well loved at the school, which has about 1,200 students.
“He was a hockey player but his friendship wasn’t just hockey players it was kids throughout all different social groups within this building,” he said.
“He was a great kid, he was a mischievous kid, he was a boy.”
READ MORE: Timeline of Winnipeg teen Cooper Nemeth’s disappearance
Anderson said people will be showing their support at a smudge ceremony at Gateway Community Centre Monday night starting at 6 p.m.
“If we can come away with anything we have a very strong family here both in this building and in this community,” Posthumus said.
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