BLOOMFIELD — Extra counsellors were brought in to Bloomfield Elementary School on Monday to help students and staff deal with the sudden death on Sunday of a six-year-old boy who was a student at the school.
Kameron Cooke died at the IWK-Grace Children's Hospital in Halifax after being airlifted there on Saturday. Cooke had collapsed suddenly and unexpectedly with no significant prior health conditions known at the time.
He was the son of Kyle and Brittanie (Handrahan) Cooke of Springfield West.
Residents of communities all over West Prince reacted with shock and sadness as news of the young boy’s death spread on Sunday.
Bob Anderson, director of school effectiveness for the English Language School Board and supervisor for the Westisle family of schools, said extra counsellors would be at the school for the next couple of days, as well.
“Students and staff will deal with things differently and at different times,” he said, pointing out counsellors will be available when they are needed.
Anderson said, in accordance with Western School Board practice, Bloomfield School would be closed on the day of the funeral. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized.
When I was in Grade Two, back in 1938, a schoolmate Jackie died of diptheria. As a little girl not quite seven, I was shocked, and so deeply saddened knowing I'd never again see this lively handsome boy on the school playground, never hear him read from his little Reader, and never see him grow up. His joyful playfulness made such an impression on my childish appreciation of everything and everyone, that I never forgot him. He was a big part of my life, and now would always have a very special private place in my heart. I was never able to talk with anyone about how I felt and that lack of means of sharing with others, is with me to this day. We were not supposed to talk about it, but to think of Jackie privately, which I do yet, and I'm in my mid 80s. Although I never spoke to him, he was a big part of my life and still is, and so is this little Kameron. He will never be forgotten. He lives on in dozens of little hearts who love him sincerely and will keep him in their hearts, guaranteed. Love, and Hugs, with all my heart, g-grammy