Students and staff with the Audubon Community School District today (Monday), have the chance to meet with counselors and members of the local ministerial organization, to grieve over two students whose lives were tragically cut short in a crash, Saturday. Audubon Superintendent Brett Gibbs told KJAN News the day started out a bit somber, as expected, but they’re trying to get back to a normal routine while still allowing the healing and grieving process to continue. (click on the sound bar to hear his comments)

Jamison Steckler, an 8th grader and his brother Gavin Steckler, a 5th grader died as the result of a car accident [Saturday] on Interstate 80. Gibbs said because the accident happened Saturday, many of the district’s 500 or so students had a chance to attend church and seek solace in their church families as well as each other.

Gibbs said their Crisis Management Team at the school has been in-place for about the past four or five years. They received extensive training from Cheri Love, a nationally recognized leader in crisis intervention and grief counseling.

The staff filled the hallways greeting the kids this morning, and spent the first period of classes talking with students about grieving and that it’s okay to do so. The only changes to the schedule as a result of the tragedy, was that the Vocal Music Performance scheduled for tonight has been postponed to a later date.

Audubon State Bank has a fund set up to help the Steckler family deal with the loss and expense.