8th-Grade Student at Cambridge Street Upper School Dies

An eighth-grade student at Cambridge Street Upper School died by suicide on Oct. 17, according to officials at Cambridge Public Schools.

Interim Superintendent David G. Murphy announced the student’s death in an email to CPS parents on Monday, writing that the district “suffered an unimaginable loss.”

Murphy’s email did not name the student or provide a cause of death, but he invited parents to attend a webinar about on “how to discuss suicide and supporting youth through loss.”

CPS informed parents at Cambridge Street Upper School of the student’s death on Friday and made guidance counselors available on Saturday, according to CPS spokesperson Lilly Rivera. Students at CSUS were informed on Monday.

Members of the student’s family could not be reached for comment.

Murphy wrote in his email to CPS parents and other residents that “the last few days have been extremely difficult for our school district.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are and will continue to be with the student’s family and friends,” he added.

The webinar, which was organized for parents on Wednesday, was “recommended by experts in the field of grief counseling and crisis management,” according to Murphy’s email.

“We are providing this resource to the community at-large because we know the impact of a tragedy like this can be both widespread and dangerously silent,” Murphy wrote. “CPS will continue to work to identify any resources we can leverage on behalf of our school communities and make them available to all who need support.”

Murphy also told CPS families in his email that the district would be offering support for students at CSUS.

“We know that a loss like this may evoke various emotions, concerns, and questions among our students,” Murphy wrote. “Please note that our schools are staffed with counselors, psychologists, and other caring adults who are fully committed to the well-being of all students.”

If you or someone you know needs help at Harvard, contact Counseling and Mental Health Services at (617) 495-2042 or the Harvard University Police Department at (617) 495-1212. Several peer counseling groups offer confidential peer conversations. Learn more here.

You can contact a University Chaplain to speak one-on-one at chaplains@harvard.edu or here.

You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

—Staff writer Darcy G Lin can be reached at darcy.lin@thecrimson.com.

—Staff writer Emily T. Schwartz can be reached at emily.schwartz@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @EmilySchwartz37.