BRIDGEWATER - Staff at Bridgewater Elementary are doing their best to help students cope with the disappearance of one of their own.

 Twelve-year-old Karissa Boudreau is a Grade 6 student at the school. She hasn't been seen since January 27 when she vanished from the parking lot outside the Bridgewater Mall after arguing with her mother and that has left her fellow students, along with a whole community, wondering where she is.

 Principal Mark MacLeod said Friday staff are doing their best to reassure students and keep them focused on learning, while at the same time recognizing their need to talk about their friend.

 "We see a little bit more anxiety and kids wondering when she's going to be found or what's going to happen, … but we're trying to keep things normal in terms of academics and in terms of the normal routine," Mr. MacLeod said.

 The school's critical incident team - made up of the principal, vice-principal, guidance counsellor and several teachers - have made themselves available to the children. They check in regularly with teachers about students, particularly those in Karissa's class.

 The guidance counsellor has also met with individual children and small groups wanting to talk about their missing friend.

 "There's not a lot, but there's a few who want to have that discussion and relieve that anxiety," the principal says.

 Some of Karissa's friends gathered with the guidance counsellor in the library one afternoon and made collages about Karissa which now hang in the school's front lobby. Many of the students and parents bought and wear "Hearts for Karissa" with the $2 proceeds going to the girl's family. The school had about 100 of the small wooden pins which sold out quickly.

 "Just to show that we're thinking of her," Mr. MacLeod said.

 Students also made cards which staff dropped off to Karissa's mother along with some food from the school.

 "We just kind of keep doing those things, but on the other hand we have to try to balance it with having some normalcy here too," the principal said.

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 Mr. MacLeod describes Karissa as a strong academic student with a beautiful smile, who made friends quickly when she arrived at Bridgewater Elementary in mid-November. She transferred from Shelburne where she had tried living with her father for a few months. Last year, she attended Hebbville Academy.

 Since Karissa vanished, the principal has been reminding students to listen to their parents and other adults they trust and stay close. However, he said few students and their parents have expressed fear for their safety stemming from Karissa's disappearance.

 "Some of our kids walk home after school. Some get picked up by parents. They're still staying for basketball. They're still staying for all the stuff that normally goes on," Mr. MacLeod said.

 "Now if all of a sudden we find that she was abducted that may increase the awareness for sure, but right now the kids are basically hoping that she's with somebody and she's safe," he said.

posted on 02/12/08