Responding to tragedy with a fight song, Flagler Palm Coast High School hosted a memorial event Dec. 11 for Principal James “Tom” Russell, who died Dec. 9 after a three-week battle with COVID-19.
Dozens of cars lined up in the parking lot at FPC and honked their horns as they drove past the football stadium and listened to the band play the fight song. The plan was for the lights at the stadium to shine in the night for 20 minutes, 20 seconds in his honor.
It was a fitting tribute, said Evana Fretterd, Student Government Association activities director. When the pandemic prevented students from returning to school after spring break at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, Russell was extremely sensitive to the members of the Class of 2020, who were missing out on prom and grad activities.
Dec 9, 2020 5:29 PM Palm Coast, FL - The Principal of Flagler-Palm Coast High School James “Tom” Russell has passed away today after battling COVID-19 since testing positive on November 16. At that time, he posted about it on the school s Facebook page with some optimism. So far this is a mild case of COVID-19 if there is such a thing. Allow me to be blunt this is nothing like the flu! Covid wrecks the body in so many ways and never the same way twice. Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittlestadt says, “The Flagler Schools family sends our prayers to Julie Russell and her children. Tom was a valued member of our district, a person everyone leaned on for advice and counsel. He was quick with a smile and word of encouragement. He had the ability to bring calm to the most hectic moments.” Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker adds, “We were all elated when Tom agreed to come to Flagler County to become FPC’s principal. To h
Flagler County principal dies after reportedly contracting COVID-19
“To have an educator of his stature and experience was invaluable, said Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker. Author: First Coast News Staff Published: 7:40 AM EST December 10, 2020 Updated: 1:42 PM EST December 10, 2020
JACKSONVILLE, Fla Flagler-Palm Coast High School principal Tom Russell has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last month, according to NBC news partners WESH.
Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt announced his passing in a statement Wednesday.
“The Flagler Schools family sends our prayers to Julie Russell and her children, said Mittelstadt. Tom was a valued member of our district, a person everyone leaned on for advice and counsel. He was quick with a smile and word of encouragement. He had the ability to bring calm to the most hectic moments.”
Flagler Palm Coast principal dies after fight with COVID-19
Published
A principal at Flagler Palm Coast High School has died after battling COVID-19, the school district said.
LAKE MARY, Fla. - A Central Florida high school principal who tested positive for COVID-19 last month has died, according to Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt.
Flagler Palm Coast High School announced that Principal Tom Russell tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday, November 16, and had been in quarantine since November 9. So far this is a mild case of COVID-19 if there is such a thing. Allow me to be blunt this is nothing like the flu! Covid wrecks the body in so many ways and never the same way twice, Russell wrote in a Facebook post. These are the symptoms that I have experienced: fever, chills, painful cramps, loss of breath, extreme fatigue, sore throat, excessive coughing, headaches, a loss of focus, problems communicating when speaking. I never had a flu act in this way.