The Rose Hill School community is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic circumstances surrounding the passing of a former student Natalie (Kennedy) who was enrolled in our kindergarten program in 2020.
After completing one semester with us, the student was withdrawn from the school by her parents, who chose to pursue homeschooling, which is their legal right in the state of Kansas. The student’s kindergarten teacher recalls her as "a happy girl who seemed to love school". Our hearts break at the thought of the unthinkable loss of such a young and precious life.
"This is a devastating tragedy for our entire community," said Superintendent Chuck Lambert. "We extend our deepest condolences to all who loved and cared for this child. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time."
As educators, we are committed to the safety and well-being of all children in our community. We take very seriously our role in supporting students, identifying signs of trouble, and providing resources when needed. It is our heartfelt hope that every child is afforded the opportunity to be in an environment where their safety and well-being can be monitored and supported.
While we fully respect the right of parents to choose the best educational setting for their children, we are heartbroken by the thought that had this student remained in our school, we might have had the opportunity to recognize signs of concern and offer help.
We urge our community to come together in this time of sorrow, and we remain committed to supporting the needs of all our students and families in whatever ways we can.
For further inquiries, please contact: Chuck Lambert, Superintendent of Rose Hill Schools.