Jennifer Feinberg
South Mountain School 4th grade teacher Jennifer Feinberg died suddenly this morning, shocking and saddening the South Orange-Maplewood community and beyond. The South Orange-Maplewood School District responded by sending counselors to the school and releasing the following letters from Principal Alyna Jacobs (see below).
Jacobs called Feinberg an “incredibly positive, open, and warm individual – the kind of teacher who inspired kids to love to come to school each day,” and wrote, “Our hearts are broken.”
Circumstances of Feinberg’s passing have not been confirmed. According to a friend, Feinberg was found in her home in Livingston.
Principal Jacobs also noted that the after-school event for 5th graders following their field trip on Monday had been cancelled. She assured parents that counselors would be on site on Wednesday.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Dear South Mountain Families,
It is with tremendous sadness that I share with you the news that 4th grade teacher Jennifer Feinberg passed away this morning. Ms. Feinberg was a beloved member of our school community. She was an incredibly positive, open, and warm individual – the kind of teacher who inspired kids to love to come to school each day. We will miss her as a friend and a colleague. Our hearts are broken.
Whether you discuss this with your children or not, they are likely to hear about it from other students on the bus, walk to school, or playground. We therefore suggest that you consider talking about this with your children, in a way that feels comfortable for you, before they return to school on Wednesday. The following link provides guidance for helping children deal with grief and news of death: https://www.sasd.k12.pa.us/
The South Mountain administrative team, school social workers, and teachers will actively support students as they process the passing of this beloved teacher. We will have additional school social workers on-site on Wednesday, and available as needed in the coming days. If your child shows signs of stress or needs support processing grief, please notify his or her teacher or a member of the administrative team. We will be offering additional support to the students in Ms. Feinberg’s classes, as well.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Ms. Feinberg’s family and to all of the students and families whose lives she has touched.
Sincerely,
Alyna Jacobs, Principal
Dear Fifth Grade Families,
In light of the passing of one of our beloved staff members, we will be rescheduling this evening’s fifth grade activities. The fifth grade teachers will notify the students that the events will be rescheduled. We will allow you to share the news of the passing of Ms. Feinberg with your own children in a way that is comfortable for your family.
Please meet the buses at the school upon their arrival and prepare to take your children home.
Sincerely,
Alyna Jacobs, Principal
