By Clay LePard
clepard@cbs4qc.com
A community is still devastated after a seven year old Galesburg boy died after getting attacked by a dog on Saturday.
Today, the community is still trying to pick up the pieces.
"It was gut wrenching," says Matthew LeClere, Principal. "I don't know what other reaction you could have. This is a close knit community and a very close school"
Ryan Maxwell was in second grade and teachers say students were drawn to his joy and energy.
"He was fun and he was giving," says Kristine Trone, Galesburg PTO and classroom aide. "He loved to play with his friends, juts a good cool kid."
Inside Ryan Maxwell's old second grade classroom, there are teddy bears at his front row desk and also cards from fellow classmates and friends.
Teachers and staff called all the parents at the school last night to deliver the tragic news. Parents say it's never easy explaining something like this to kids.
"It's just hard for me to talk to [my daughter] about this because she's so young," says Kassie Robison. "I don't know if she truly understands but I'm hoping I'm doing a good enough job that she does understand."
With the help of additional counselors, school leaders say all they can do now is try to offer as much support to students as possible.
"Death is a difficult thing to discuss with children," LeClere adds. "Kindergarten is obviously going to be different than discussing with 5th grade. And probably the most difficult conversation is going to be second grade because he was in second grade and these kids lost a classmate, they lost a friend."
Parents and schoolteachers say they are already planning a benefit in Ryan's honor.
