James Hutchinson: Therapy dogs brought to help comfort Middletown elementary students

MIDDLETOWN — While grief counselors set to remain at Rosa Parks Elementary through at least this week, students in the first and second grades were visited today by a different kind of counselor.

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Therapy dogs from Mason City Schools visited the students at Rosa Parks Elementary Tuesday in Middletown and helped bring comfort to the classmates of James Hutchinson and his two older siblings.

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A Middletown schools spokesperson called today a “day for healing” as new details into Hutchinson’s death and the circumstances that led to it are brought to light.

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Additionally, students and staff members were encouraged to wear purple today in remembrance of Hutchinson.

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The school district will host a celebration of life ceremony Tuesday night at at Barnitz Stadium that is open to the public. The ceremony is set to begin at 6:45 p.m.

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