Willow Glen Resident

News

Bret Harte sixth-grader complains of headache before dying March 14

By Stephen Baxter

A sixth-grader at Bret Harte Middle School who complained of a headache died on March 14. Grief counselors visited with students and teachers there on March 17.

Jerry Huang, 12, was in a class before 11 a.m. when he said his head hurt, said Karen Fuqua, spokeswoman for San Jose Unified School District. An ambulance was called for him, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office performed an autopsy on March 17, but a spokeswoman could not discuss its details. His condition did not pose a threat to other students at the school located at 7050 Bret Harte Drive in the Almaden Valley, Fuqua said.

Teachers talked about the incident in first-period classes on March 17, and many classes are designing banners and cards in Jerry's memory. Family and friends described Jerry as smart and artistic. He played soccer and basketball while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

Students also have been encouraged to speak with a crisis response team.

"Letting the kids talk about it is really important," Fuqua said.

A memorial service will be held March 29 at 2:30pm at the Chinese Church in Christ, 1490 Saratoga Ave.