The three children killed on Highway 17 in the Lively area on New Year's Day were students at Chelmsford Public School.
Siblings Britney Osagie, 6, Flourish Osagie, 10, and Destiny Osagie, 11, all died in the tragic single-vehicle collision.
The Rainbow District School Board has issued a statement saying the school and the entire board are mourning the children's deaths.
Flags will be flying at half-mast at the school and the Rainbow District School Board Centre for Education as the board extends its “deepest sympathy to all those who have been touched by this tragedy,” the statement said.
In addition to classroom teachers, members of the Rainbow District School Board's mental health team are at the school this morning as classes resume after the Christmas holidays.
The board said it will offer supportive talks with caring adults and more assistance, as needed.
Students will have an opportunity to pay tribute to their classmates through a book of remembrance in the foyer. Parents/guardians are also welcome to express their condolences.
The board said it will share the book with the family.
“Our hearts are breaking as we begin this New Year with tremendous sadness,” the statement said. “The school has reached out to the family to offer support during this most difficult time.”
The OPP said last week they are still investigating the crash, which saw a vehicle carrying members of two families — four children and their mothers — strike a rock cut on Highway 17 shortly before 9 a.m. Jan. 1.
Police have not yet determined what caused the vehicle to leave Highway 17 and crash into the rock cut, an OPP spokesperson said last week, adding the investigation is ongoing.
In addition to the three children who died, the crash also badly injured a 10-year-old boy who is described as a friend of the Osagie family.
The Osagies' 45-year-old mother, who was driving the car, was not injured. Another 45-year-old woman, the mother of the injured 10-year-old boy, received minor injuries in the crash.
