Ocean Drowning Tragedy Hits Belmar Elementary School Hard, Superintendent Says

BELMAR - The Belmar Elementary School - the only school in the Belmar district - has always been a tight-knit community.

Today students and staff are trying to cope with the drowning death of a sixth-grader, who was pulled from the ocean late Thursday afternoon, and hoping for the recovery of her 11-year-old cousin, who is on life support. Both girls were students at the school.

They are reeling from the tragedy that occurred when no lifeguards were on duty, said school Superintendent David R. Hallman on Friday morning.

"They're just sweet girls who are willing to help other children," Hallman told nj.com. "So it's just a difficult time right now."
He said the 12-year-old girl was about to finish the sixth grade and her cousin is an 11-year-old in the fifth grade.

"Fifth and sixth grade girls," Hallman said. "Beautiful girls and wonderful families."

Hallman is bringing in grief counselors to help students.

"We have our crisis teams from not only our district, but from surrounding districts, who are supporting our students," Hallman said. "We have eight to 11 locations set up throughout the school with counselors, with staff members who speak Spanish and staff members who know our students.

He said the 12-year-old girl was about to finish the sixth grade and her cousin is an 11-year-old in the fifth grade. The girls' names have not been released.

""They're two beautiful girls," Hallman said, getting choked up. "And we're just concentrating on our students right now."

There were no lifeguards on duty when the two went missing on the beach between 9th and 10th avenues. The National Weather Service had predicted a moderate risk on rip currents in coastal Monmouth County on Thursday.

Ironically, Hallman had lifeguards come to school over the last two weeks to discuss water safety with students. The training is held every year.

To read the entire story, click here.

Image: Courtesy of Belmar Elementary School.