Art teacher dies suddenly over Spring Break

(3/22/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Students at Quail Valley Middle School in Missouri City are in mourning after their new art teacher, Tracey Ripley, died suddenly during Spring Break.

The school district and the county health department want to make it very clear that no students are at any risk of getting sick. Still, Ripley's death during Spring Break comes as a shock, and is very saddening to this school community.

Students returned to class this week following Spring Break without one of their teachers. Ripley was just 40 years, married, with a daughter, when she suddenly succumbed to pneumococcal meningitis -- a rare form of the bacterial infection.

Fort Bend ISD spokesperson Nancy Porter told Eyewitness News, "Our first and foremost concern is our students and staff, and how they deal with the loss."

Ripley came to Quail Valley Middle School in October. She taught art, mostly to sixth graders. In all, she mentored more than 150 students.

After consulting with the state and county health departments, the school district sent a letter home to students on Thursday, explaining Ripley's death and that none of her students were at risk for infection.

"We want to inform them about her illness, but we don't want to unduly concern them about any contagion," stressed Porter.

But there is still a sudden loss. The district sent extra counselors to Quail Valley on Thursday to help the young students cope with their questions, and their grief.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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