GBN Special Education Teacher Dies

Update 11 a.m.

As 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.

Original article from 5:50 a.m.

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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