‘Entire district is grieving’ over Portsmouth student’s death

Connor Peckham passed away during band trip to Disney Monday

By Jim McGaw
Posted 4/2/19

PORTSMOUTH — News of Portsmouth High School senior Connor Peckham’s death has sent the entire school district reeling, Superintendent of Schools Ana Riley said Tuesday.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


‘Entire district is grieving’ over Portsmouth student’s death

Connor Peckham passed away during band trip to Disney Monday

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — News of Portsmouth High School senior Connor Peckham’s death has sent the entire school district reeling, Superintendent of Schools Ana Riley said on Tuesday.

Connor, a longtime drummer in the concert and marching bands and a popular student at PHS, passed away Monday while on a trip to Walt Disney World Resort with the rest of the school band, PHS Principal Joseph Amaral said in an e-mail to parents of students who were on the trip. (The band was due to arrive back in Portsmouth late Tuesday night, April 2.)

Connor was the son of Dwayne and Patricia (Hurley) Peckham. Their oldest son, Andrew D. Peckham, died in 2014 after a long battle with muscular dystrophy. He was 27. Last month, Connor, along with members of the National Honor Society, sold shamrocks to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Rhode Island.

All media inquiries were directed to Ms. Riley, who said she couldn’t comment on the circumstances of Connor’s death without first speaking to family members. 

“I haven’t talked to the band director (Ted Rausch) personally. All we have is second- hand and third-hand information. I would prefer until we talk to the parents before we say anything more,” she said Tuesday.

Likewise, she was reluctant to share any personal information about Connor, other to say he was a popular student in the school community who was loved by students and faculty alike. His death has devastated the entire school community, Ms. Riley said.

“I think the thing that really struck me the most is that the entire district is grieving,” the superintendent said.

Connor attended Elmhurst School and then, when it closed, transferred to Melville before moving on to the middle school and high school.

“Teachers throughout the district had Connor as a student. He’s literally been with us his entire school career,” said Ms. Riley, noting that most of Connor’s Melville teachers are now at Hathaway. 

“So, it’s really touched the whole district. There are so many people throughout the district that are heartbroken. He touched a lot of lives,” she said. “Just watching him at football games with the band … he was just really a happy kid. The band is a family anyway, and I can only imagine how devastated they are.”

The high school set up a drop-in assistance center to help provide mental health support to students and staff starting Tuesday.

“It’s hard to process this when you’re a kid, a teenager. I’m seeing how hard it is for the adults,” Ms. Riley said.

Connor was also the “mic man” for the school’s unified basketball team, which plans on honoring him during a home game against Tiverton on Wednesday, April 3.

‘Brightened everyone’s day’

Scott Sullivan, a former school resource officer (SRO) at PHS, acknowledged Connor’s passing on his Facebook page Monday. 

“I remember him as the first person I met as SRO when he came by for a tour and then saw him the first day of his freshman year,” Mr. Sullivan posted. “He spent a lot of time coming by my office and always brightened up everyone's day. We would joke when he got his new wheelchair and I told him I had to give a ticket for driving so fast, he was a NASCAR driver in that chair! Always a positive attitude and always thinking of others. Please keep this young man in your hearts and prayers.”

Support for students

In his e-mail to band parents Monday night, Mr. Amaral said his office worked with Mr. Rausch and Disney Resorts “to have a crisis team on site at the All-Star Movies Resort this evening upon the group's return to the hotel. This crisis team is comprised of mental health professionals who are prepared to offer support during this time.

"Also, as students prepare to return to their hotel rooms this evening, chaperones, PHS staff, and this crisis team will be providing extra supervision to our students in light of this sad news during the course of the night."

Mr. Amaral also sent out the following e-mail to the wider school community Monday night:

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I am writing to inform you with sad news regarding a Portsmouth High School student, Connor Peckham. Sadly, we were informed today that Connor passed away. Connor was a member of the band and well liked by his peers and the PHS faculty and staff. As our thoughts and prayers go out to the Peckham family during this time of sadness, I want to share information with you regarding plans to support students and staff during this difficult time.

You may find that your child may want to seek support or ask questions. A Drop-In Assistance Center has been established at PHS in cooperation with our local mental health agency and Portsmouth School Department mental health providers. The Drop-In Assistance Center will be available to provide mental health support to students and staff beginning tomorrow. Further information will be provided in subsequent communication regarding supports over the next few days. It is likely that your child may experience significant grief on hearing about Connor’s death and I encourage you and your child to come together with our school community, students, and staff during this difficult time.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Joseph Amaral

Principal


Portsmouth High School, PHS band, Connor Peckham

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.