December 14, 2006 at 7:33 a.m.
Classmates work through grief after death of ‘06-’07 senior
Classmates work through grief after death of ‘06-’07 senior
The investigation continues into the carbon monoxide poisoning death of 17-year-old Andrew Carlson, who was found dead in his home Dec. 5. The teen was a senior at Chisago Lakes High School.
Investigators have been working to pinpoint the source of the carbon monoxide leak, which sent the rest of the family - including Andrew’s dad, Mitchell Carlson, his fiancee’ Penny Pliscott and her two sons, James and Phillip, to the hospital.
News of Andrew’s death hit hard at CLHS, where a large sign was hung immediately after staff and students were notified.
The sign was quickly filled with messages of remembrance for Andrew, who seemed to be friends with everyone. Here and there around the CLHS hallways last week, were posters with Andrew’s photo and a simple message that they will always remember him.
CLHS Principal Dave Ertl said Andrew was the type of young man who fit in with a lot of different groups at the school.
“He was one of those kids who connected with all groups of students, he was known and well-liked,” Ertl said. “He always said ‘hi’ and had a big smile on his face.”
Academically, he said Carlson was doing fine at the school. Behaviorally, Carlson had also been making the right choices, Ertl said.
“It had been a positive year for him so far,” Ertl said, adding that Carlson was on track to complete his credits to graduate with the class of 2007.
Ertl didn’t spend a lot of time speaking with Carlson personally, but he did know that Carlson was excited about his new life in North Branch.
“He was so excited about the new house,” Ertl said. “He helped his dad build it and his pride about it showed.”
Ertl said teachers and staff were fully prepared to assist students through their grief.
They knew from past experiences that the teens in their school would want to physically do something as a way of working through their pain. Ertl said they were ready with the large ream of paper before students came and requested that a poster be put on the wall.
The school also had a crisis management team meet and discuss what else could be done. Community agencies and counselors were called in, as well as youth ministers from some of the local churches. They were all available to help work with students.
Ertl said they also know that many teens need to just have a person to talk to about their grief. The three teachers Carlson had classes with this semester were given talking points as ways to start a dialogue with the rest of his classmates.
At the same time, staff worked to maintain a normal routine at the school.
“We tried to run as normal a day as possible,” Ertl said. “They need that routine and feeling of consistency.”
Ertl has not been in contact with the immediate family, but he has spoken with Carlson’s grandmother. He offered condolences and let her know that the poster filled with messages from the students would be given to the family after it is taken off the wall at CLHS.
Funeral services for Carlson were held Monday, Dec. 11 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City.
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