A Special Message from Our Superintendent About the Loss of a Beloved Staff Member
Dear Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I need to share some devastating news with you. Lois Wagner, our beloved lead cook and a cherished member of our school family, passed away unexpectedly last night.
I know this news is shocking and difficult to comprehend. Lois wasn’t just a staff member—she was a friend, a smiling face in the cafeteria, and someone who brought warmth and kindness to our students, staff, and families every single day. She was deeply passionate about feeding and caring for our students. Her loss will be felt profoundly by all of us.
Because of this tragic event and the impact on our staff, we have closed the school for the rest of the day today. We all need time to process, grieve, and lean on one another for support during this heart-wrenching time.
If you or your child need someone to talk to, I encourage you to reach out to the following resources:
True North Adolescent Behavioral Health Services: (360) 464-6867
Catholic Community Services Children’s Crisis Stabilization: (360) 480-5721
Safe Harbor Resource Website: You can find behavioral health resources on this website: Safe Harbor.
Online Resources: The following websites offer valuable resources for children and families dealing with loss:
Lois made many personal connections with our students, so we are also working closely with Educational Service District (ESD) 113 to provide additional counseling support for any students who might need it when we return to school. They will be here on-site to help in any way they can.
This is an incredibly difficult time for all of us, but we are a community, and we will get through this together. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lois' family, our students, and each one of you. Please take care of yourselves and each other, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.
Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 3 will continue as scheduled from 5-6:30PM and our first day of school (not an early-release day) is Wednesday, Sept. 4. We will be in touch with more information about any activities or plans to honor Lois’ memory.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lance Gibbon
Superintendent
Hood Canal School District