GBN Special Education Teacher Dies
Jodi Polikov died Thursday evening at Glenbrook Hospital. Counselors and social workers will be on hand at school Friday.
Update 11 a.m.
As Glenbrook North High School mourns the death of a 41-year-old special education teacher, school officials confirmed that Jodi Polikov died Thursday of meningococcal disease.
Public health authorities stated there is no cause for concerns and were not recommending any additional prevenative actions for the school, students or staff at GBN. To read the full updated story, click here.
Original article from 5:50 a.m.
Glenbrook North Special Education Teacher Jodi Polikov died Thursday evening, school officials announced.
In a press release sent at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Pricipal Paul Pryma said: "Jodi was a loving, resourceful, and most of all responsible and dependable person. Our entire Northbrook community holds her dear in our hearts."
The school did not state the cause of death, but said she was surrounded by family.
Below is an excerpt from the letter that Superintendent Mike Riggle wrote to staff and families:
"We received word tonight that GBN Special Education Teacher Jodi Polikov passed away this evening at the Glenbrook Hospital. School will be in session tomorrow and Springfest activities will continue as planned. Counselors and social workers will be readily available and the faculty and staff will be well prepared to work with students throughout the day. Although it is a time of deep sadness for everyone, Ms. Polikov's family has requested that she be remembered and celebrated for a life well-lived."
Patch will update the story as more information becomes available.
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allison selz
10:42 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
We love you jodi, you will be missed dearly. Allison
Steve Weitzman
10:50 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
I will miss Jodi as if she was my own. When she entered a room it would light up with her beautiful smile. A very very special person to our family and to all. Steve Weitzman
Emily Stone
10:56 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Thank you both for your comments. What a tragedy.
Miriam
12:03 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
We will miss you Jodi. Was a honor to know you at Chabad Hebrew School
Kevin Rosenthal
12:13 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
Jodi
We all love and miss you.
Your memory will live with us forever.
You were my FIRST little cousin and you will always hold a special place in my heart.
May g-d look after Ken, the kids and your entire family.
"Those Whom The Gods Love Grow Young..."
Your cuz,
Kevin, Wendy, Sara and Jakob Rosenthal
Sabrina Smiley Glidden
9:23 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
Jodi Polikov was an amazing teacher. She made my child feel intelligent, respected, and appreciated after a long spell of academic misery. She made the class room enjoyable again and helped lead my daughter back to success. She had a smile and excitement every time I saw her or spoke to her, and a true gift for always seeing the best side and potential in everything. This world is a better place for having her and I will always be grateful for her presence in my daughters life. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Julia
1:37 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Mrs. Polikov helped so many kids including my sister.
My heart goes out to her family she was an amazing, beautiful, happy, kind, and caring woman. I didn't know her personally but I saw her around school and we said hello. I'm so glad I met her and will miss seeing her in the halls with her stylish clothes and jewelry and that amazing, bright smile.
Davy Lakkamsani
10:50 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Our family thoughts and prayers to Jodi's family. She was a very dear person to our family because she was a cancer survivor and a great friend to our daughter. She was a teacher, mentor and friend to our daughter who is also a cancer survivor.
Marlene Wolfson
3:43 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Walowitz and Polikov families.
Love Marlene Wolfson and the Las Vegas and Arizona Wolfsons