The community of Groton, Connecticut, is today draped in a profound sense of loss as the Groton Public Schools district navigates the sudden and heartbreaking passing of a cornerstone of its educational family, Mrs. Kerry Nystrom. A longtime teacher whose influence spanned years of dedicated service, Mrs. Nystrom was far more than an instructor; she was a mentor to students, a confidante to colleagues, and a cherished friend to many within the shoreline community. In response to this tragedy, district leaders have taken the significant step of altering the school schedule for Friday, December 19, to allow the community the necessary space to begin the difficult journey of mourning and reflection.
The gravity of this loss was articulated in an emotional message from Superintendent Susan L. Austin, who reached out to families and staff to share the devastating news. In her message, Austin described the GPS community as “devastated” by the loss of a woman who represented the very best of the district’s values. By referring to her as a “teacher, colleague, and friend,” the Superintendent highlighted the multi-faceted role Mrs. Nystrom played. The decision to dismiss students early across the district was not merely a logistical shift, but a compassionate acknowledgment that the emotional weight of such a loss makes the standard academic routine impossible to maintain.
While the entire district is feeling the ripple effects of this tragedy, the impact is perhaps most acute at Mystic River Magnet School. Recognizing the specific depth of grief within that particular building, administrators made the decision to close Mystic River Magnet School entirely for the duration of Friday. This closure allows the staff and students closest to Mrs. Nystrom the time to gather in private, support one another without the distractions of the school day, and process the “profound loss” that Superintendent Austin described. It is a rare and solemn gesture that underscores just how valued Mrs. Nystrom was to her immediate school family.
The early dismissal schedule for the rest of the district’s schools has necessitated several changes to afternoon programming. Families have been notified that there will be no afternoon Tree House childcare services, and all afternoon preschool classes have been canceled for the day. While these changes require families to make alternate arrangements on short notice, the district has asked for patience and understanding, emphasizing that the priority remains the emotional well-being of the staff and the honoring of a beloved educator’s memory.
In a delicate balancing act between mourning and the need for some semblance of normalcy, the district confirmed that high school athletic practices and contests will proceed as originally planned. Late buses will also remain in operation specifically for high school students involved in these activities. Administrators noted that for many students, maintaining these routines provides a vital outlet for stress and a sense of stability during a time when the community’s equilibrium has been so severely shaken.
