Pine Ridge students set to return from break after deadly bus crash
Photo courtesy: Pine Ridge Middle School
WEST COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — According to Lexington School District Two, classes will resume Monday, April 28, for all Lexington Two schools, following a week of spring break.
At Pine Ridge Middle School, where the community is grieving the loss of a student, and others continue to heal, the district says it is focused on support.
District counselors, social workers, and psychologists will have a presence at the school. This process began on Friday, April 18, the first day of spring break, when Pine Ridge Middle families, teachers, staff, bus drivers, and others were invited to come to the school and talk and reconnect with each other following the April 17 bus incident.
On the first day back after spring break on April 28, and running as long as needed, the team will continue to be available at the school to listen to and talk with teachers, staff, students, and families.
With all of those who required further medical evaluation and treatment released from initial hospital stays, the district says it is working to continue to support its bus families, whether sharing resource information or helping with aid requests made to the district’s community donation link.
“Amid the difficult days since April 17, we have been reminded time and again how fortunate we are to be part of such a supportive community. From families and employees in Lexington Two and surrounding school districts, to businesses and churches, elected officials and local governments, law enforcement agencies and health care providers, and many others, our community has been a constant source of comfort and support for Pine Ridge Middle School, whether it’s delivering food donations or sending thoughtful notes and offers of help.”
From April 18th:
Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker confirms to ABC News that a 13 year-old boy was killed in yesterday’s rollover bus crash on I-77 in South Carolina.
Officials say the boy who was identified as 13-year-old Jose Maria Gonzalez Linares was an 8th grader at Pine Ridge Middle School in Lexington School District Two.
District officials say early Thursday afternoon, three buses carrying students from Pine Ridge Middle School were traveling south on I-77 after a field trip just outside Charlotte when a tire blew on one of the buses causing an accident.
The bus was carrying 3 adults and around 35 students. Officials say 21 people were hurt in the incident. Officials say the two other buses traveling back on I- 77 were not involved in the incident.
