A note from Principal B...
Dear Walnut Acres Community,
It is with profound sadness that I share the news that our beloved teacher, Heather Garcia-Roy, passed away on Sunday morning. Heather was a cherished member of our Walnut Acres family for many years, and her kindness, dedication, and deep care for students have left a lasting and meaningful impact on all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by our entire community.
Heather began her teaching career in the Mt. Diablo School District in 2000, and she joined Walnut Acres in 2007, where she started in 2nd grade. Over the years, she continued to share her passion for teaching in our TK program, where she nurtured our youngest learners with patience, warmth, and joy. Heather had a remarkable gift for making every child feel seen, and loved. Her classroom was a place of comfort, curiosity, and belonging, and her influence will continue to be felt in the lives of countless students and families.
I spoke with Heather’s husband, Frank, who shared that it is okay to pass this information along to our community. During this incredibly difficult time, there are a few ways our community can support Heather’s family. The family has shared that the most helpful support would be donations to their GoFundMe. They would also greatly appreciate DoorDash gift cards to assist with meals. If you would like to send letters, cards, or flowers, you may drop them off at the school office, and we will ensure they are delivered to the family. Once we have information about services, we will share those details with our community.
While we are committed to maintaining your child’s daily routines and a high level of education, we understand that this news may be difficult for students to process. Please know that we will not be discussing this loss in the classroom setting, however, if you would like support in talking with your child about grief and loss, we encourage you to review the resources listed below. On Wednesday, we will have a district counselor on campus, along with our school counselor, Joanne Finn, to support students and staff. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office during normal school hours at (925) 939-1333 if your child needs additional support.
This is a heartbreaking loss for our Walnut Acres family. Heather’s legacy of love, kindness, and dedication to children will remain a part of our school community always.
Please join us in holding Heather’s family in your thoughts and extending our deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time.
With care and sympathy,
Nicole Berglund, Principal
Grief Support Resources for Families
Talk to someone:
For children:
Helpful handouts for families:
