Mom Of Central Student Who Died Suggests Changes

HINSDALE, IL – The mother of a Hinsdale Central High School student who died in April is suggesting the school district make changes.

At Thursday's school board meeting, former board member Terri Walker read a letter from Helen Hart-Bryan, mother of Jack Bryan, who died April 8.

Hart-Bryan is a teacher at a Riverside elementary school.

In the letter, Hart-Bryan said that at her son's visitation, a few teachers came up and said they did not know her son had issues.

"It would have helped them if they knew," Hart-Bryan said.

She said she replied that her son was on a plan called 504 that accommodates those with disabilities, helping them access education.

"All the details were listed in the plan," Hart-Bryan said.

She said she was sure teachers had many students on their rosters with such plans.

"I know as a teacher myself that there aren't enough hours in a day to complete all of the tasks," Hart-Bryan said.

She challenged the district's administration to find the time and compensation for teachers to really understand plans for students with disabilities.

In the letter, Hart-Bryan also said many books that are students' required reading involve death, murder, suicide and other depressing societal issues.

"We must be very cautious in the education world about the number of books with the theme of death and depression we require our youth to decipher," the letter said.

She also recommended more emphasis on social-emotional learning. Such learning involves self-awareness, self-management and relationship skills.

Walker's husband, Greg Walker, said Jack Bryan had been their son's best friend.