Valley View planning memorial service for Jake

A memorial ceremony will be held at Valley View Middle School for Jake Lucas, a Simi Valley teenager who lost his life in a dirt biking accident.

"We're in the planning stages right now, but something will taking place next week," said Principal Terry Web. "We wanted to touch bases with the family before we did anything."

According to Web, counselors and a school psychologist have been made available to students who need support during this period of grieving.

"We've given the kids opportunities to talk about it in class as well as with counselors. The communication is definitely helping the children to cope with the situation," Web said.

When a death of a student occurs, a school psychologist is sent to the campus to determine the level of support students need, according to school officials. If more help is necessary, the district will send out additional school psychologists.

School officials said that a psychologist will meet with students affected by the death and then follow up with them the next day. The psychologist also notifies the district about the students most disturbed by the death, who can then receive necessary support.

- Avi Rutschman