Residents raise concerns after student deaths

Following two public suicides by students in the past year, residents expressed concern at the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District last week and asked school officials to consider measures the district could take to educate students about the issues surrounding suicide.

The first death came early in 2009, when a Calhoun High School student was struck and killed by a Long Island Rail Road train. The second occurred last month, when a Mepham student was struck and killed by a train.

"We need to address the issue as a district," said George Brucia, a North Merrick Library trustee and a frequent attendee at Central District meetings.

Gregory Delilla, a 2009 Mepham graduate, suggested that the district host assemblies on suicide such as those it offers on the AIDS epidemic and student violence.

"Rest assured that we will certainly look into further education of staff," said Diane Seaman, the board president. In particular, Seaman said, the district would focus on recognizing the symptoms of suicide.

Trustee Nina Lanci, the mother of a Mepham 11th-grader, said that, following the most recent suicide, "The staff did a tremendous job of intervention." She noted that suicide is addressed in health classes, along with other difficult topics such as drug abuse and premarital sex.

Dr. Henry Kiernan, the Central District superintendent, thanked Delilla for his "candid comments." "We will do everything we can -- 110 percent," Kiernan said.

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