Duffield School Mourns the Loss of Galen Giauque

October 7, 2024 - 

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the sudden and unexpected death of Galen Giauque, a friend and long-time Duffield community member. Galen was a bus contractor and driver for many years with PSD and the Giauque family has been connected to the Duffield School community for decades.

Condolences on behalf of Duffield School and PSD’s Transportation Services have been sent to the family. They have been assured that our thoughts are with them now and in the coming days and weeks. 

PSD`s Trauma Response Team members will be on hand at Duffield School to assist students’ and staff members’ emotional health and well-being. Counsellors are also available at MCHS for high school students from the area who have no doubt crossed paths with Mr. Giauque or rode the bus with him on their daily commute. 
  
We are aware that students process loss in different ways, and we would encourage you to talk and listen to your children to assist them in understanding this loss. Many factors influence our reaction to death: who passed away, how or why it happened, the support system available, age, personality, and especially previous loss experience. For your information, we are providing the following suggestions for helping children grieve.

Parents/Guardians, you can provide valuable assistance to your children during this time.  Here are some ideas to consider when talking about this sensitive topic:

• Be attentive to your child when he/she has questions and wants to talk.
• Listen to your child’s feelings and accept them, even if they are different from yours.
• Give honest, simple, brief answers.
• Make sure that your child understands your answers and the meaning that you intend.
• Create opportunities for your children to talk about what happened and how they are feeling.
• Encourage positive self-care activities specific to your child’s preferences.  Examples could be physical activity, journaling, artwork, or positive and supportive time with people they care about.
• Be especially loving and supporting; more than anyone else, your child needs you at this time.

 
Above all, listen to your children and let them know that their feelings are normal and acceptable.

If you have any concerns regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Cherie Lovsund, Principal
Duffield School