Howard High students return to school Monday with hugs
A community meeting is scheduled near the high school for Monday night
- Police have not released additional updates regarding the case or said what caused Amy Joyner-Francis' death.
- The family has not finalized funeral plans, though Congo Funeral Home will hold the services.
- Anyone wishing to donate can make a contribution in Amy's name to the funeral home.
Students at Howard High School of Technology began their Monday with big hugs thanks to community leaders and friends who welcomed the teens back for regular classes.
Grief counselors were available for students at the high school, in addition to the typical class schedules. Students returned to school Friday for a shortened day for similar counseling.
Fresh tulips, teddy bears and votive candles sat Sunday outside Howard High School of Technology, a stark reminder of the tragedy that shattered the Wilmington school late last week.
Police have released no details following the assault Thursday morning in the girls' restroom that led to the death of 16-year-old Amy Inita Joyner-Francis, a sophomore from New Castle in the dental assistant program. Officials said multiple girls were involved in the assault, and police last week were questioning two persons of interest. Several students said Joyner-Francis hit her head on a sink during the conflict, but police have not addressed whether that is true.
The state Department of Justice said Friday that its prosecutors were working closely with Wilmington police in the investigation. Spokesman Carl Kanefsky said the inquiry includes "multiple witness interviews, reviews of physical evidence, communication devices, and social media posts, and consultation with the Delaware Division of Forensic Science."
A meeting sponsored by Councilman Darius Brown is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Stubbs Elementary School, 1100 N. Pine St., which is next to the high school. No charges have been filed in the case, and police have not confirmed a cause of death despite pressure from the community.
The family has not released funeral arrangements, but Wilmington City Councilwoman Sherry Dorsey Walker, serving as a spokeswoman for the family, said they will be announced soon. Those wishing to assist the family with funeral costs can make donations in Joyner-Francis' name to the Congo Funeral Home in Wilmington. Dorsey Walker said the funeral home will be handling the services.
"We teach various subjects in school to help our children achieve success," the councilwoman said. "But the most important lesson that we need to teach is love."
Rumors continue to circulate on social media about what led to the fatal fight that broke out as classes began Thursday. The Joyner-Francis family has called for peace among the frustration and fear, and community members have echoed these sentiments. Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha said the city lacks programs to support violence among girls, despite an uptick in the trend.
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At two different vigils Thursday and Friday night, students said Joyner-Francis was not the type of girl to become involved in fights and often helped dispel disputes among friends.
Shanelle Kallan, a 15-year-old who was in class with Joyner-Francis and attended Friday night's vigil, said she was struggling with returning to Howard High School. She said she didn't feel safe to walk the hallways and was planning to transfer.
“Knowing that that happened to my friend in the school," Kallan said, "I just don’t feel comfortable.”
An earlier version of this story said multiple Delaware leaders would be in attendance but a corrected press release from the city later noted they would not.
Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.
IF YOU GO
What: A town hall meeting for Howard High students, parents and community members
When: 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Stubbs Elementary School, 1100 N. Pine St., Wilmington