Wednesday was the first day back to school for students in the community of Marksville following the fatal Florida crash that killed five children from the area.
Three of those children killed in the crash were students of the Avoyelles Parish School System.
School Superintendent Blaine Dauzat told KATC this week that grief counselors will be on hand at parish schools. He also says teachers are prepared to answer any questions students may have about the tragic crash.
Meetings were held to plan for the days ahead. Days of grief and mourning and questions at Avoyelles parish schools where students are missing five of their friends whose lives were lost in a Florida bus crash over the holidays.
“They always have questions of why and everything but we just say they were better off in God’s hands and it’s all in the Lord’s hands now,” said parent Mikki Edwards.
Superintendent Blaine Dauzat says it’s important to allow the students to ask those questions and to show them it’s okay to feel.
“We’ve definitely stressed to principals and teachers that its ok to not always have this strong shell in front of your kids. It’s ok for the kids to know you have feelings too,” Dauzat said. “The main thing we want the kids to know is we love them and we have experts here if it needs to go farther than that.”
The five children killed were members of the Avoyelles House of Mercy Church in Marksville. The group was in Florida over the holiday break heading to Disney World when their vehicle was involved in a crash with two 18-wheelers and another passenger vehicle. Two truck drivers also died as a result of the crash.
Family and friends remember Marksville victims at candlelight vigil
KATC’s Abby Breidenbach was LIVE Wednesday morning at Marksville High School before students arrived.
