The School District of Philadelphia is heartbroken over the tragic news of yesterday’s house fire in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood, which claimed the lives of 12 people, including children associated with our District. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members, friends and school communities who are grieving this unimaginable loss.

We have made counseling and support services available for those who may need assistance coping with this tragedy. Grieving students and staff will have access to trained emotional health professionals from the School District’s Emergency/Crisis Response Team, the school-based team of social workers and counselors, as well as external community partners such as Uplift Center for Grieving Children that specialize in supporting people dealing with traumatic loss. A Friends and Relatives Center was opened by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management with the American Red Cross and Salvation Army at Bache-Martin Elementary School to provide services for those impacted, as well as information and assistance for family and friends of the victims.

Additionally, The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia (The Fund) has worked with the office of Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke to set up a fund to provide assistance to the families impacted by this incident. Councilman Clarke’s office is in communication with the families to determine what support they may need and donations collected by The Fund will be allocated according to the information received by his office. Individuals who wish to contribute can do so here.

We will continue to work in partnership with other agencies to provide resources to those in  need during this very difficult time.