Travis Early College High School cancels classes after body found on campus
AUSTIN, Texas - Austin ISD says all classes are canceled at Travis Early College High School on Thursday and Friday after an incident on campus.
Around 7:39 a.m., AISD says two employees flagged down an officer on patrol when they found a body on campus.
A female was pronounced deceased at 7:55 a.m. AISD says she was between the ages of 15 and 20.
AISD says no students were in the area, the campus is safe and there is no danger to students or staff.
Austin police say this case is not being investigated as a homicide.
Austin ISD later confirmed on social media that one of their 11th grade students was found dead on campus and that she was found before most students arrived and to their knowledge, no students encountered the scene.
The district decided to call off classes Thursday. Students who were already on buses were returned home and the district coordinated transportation back home for students already on campus.
Classes have also been canceled for Friday, Aug. 18. Travis ECHS will be open as a counseling center from 9 a.m. to noon for students and staff that might need support.
Families can bring their children to the front of the school to receive counseling services. Staff will greet parents at their car to sign students in. Students should have their ID numbers ready. Parent support will be available at Faith Presbyterian Church across the street.
Austin ISD is offering ways to talk to students about this:
"If a child talks to you about this, please take time to listen and talk with them. It is important for children to have their feelings acknowledged and to help them understand that it is OK to feel upset or cry. It is also normal if they do not feel anything right away. It can take a while—sometimes days or weeks—for children to show their feelings, and that is normal. No matter when the feelings surface, it is important to provide clarity and validation of feelings," says the district.
Some helpful responses to distressed students are:
- "I can see that you are hurting."
- "It’s very hard to accept the death of someone you know well."
- "I know...it just seems unbelievable."
- "It hurts, doesn’t it?"
- "It is especially hard when there are many unanswered questions."
Austin ISD is also offering the following resources:
- For the Love of Christi – free information and various support groups for youth and adults re: grief and loss. Phone: 512-467-2600
- Austin-Travis County Integral Care (ATCIC) – 24 hours for mental health crises or to schedule appointments– Phone: 512-472-HELP or 512-472-4357.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Austin ISD employees may call 1-833-515-0762 to access any of the Employee Assistance Program services. All EAP services are available 24/7, and are 100 percent free and confidential for all AISD employees
If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text 741-741.