Students, families, and staff at Anderson High School and Nagel Middle School can walk into grief counseling sessions Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28, after the death of German teacher Dr. Erick Urbaniak.

Licensed therapists from Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the Anderson High School counseling team will be on-site at Anderson High School, 7560 Forest Road, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. No appointment is needed.

Assistant Superintendent Kim Tinsley announced Dr. Urbaniak's death in a message to all Forest Hills School District families on Sunday, July 26. Tinsley said Dr. Urbaniak died that weekend after a recent decline in health related to long-term medical challenges.

Dr. Urbaniak taught German at Anderson High School and Nagel Middle School during the 2025-26 school year and previously taught at Turpin High School. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Tinsley noted the timing makes the loss harder to process. With school out for summer, students don't have their usual access to counselors and classmates. That's why the district activated its Traumatic Event Crisis Intervention Plan, known as TECIP, to bring professional support directly to the building.

TECIP teams include counselors, psychologists, teachers, administrators, and community partners. The framework, developed by COPES Consulting, has been in place at Forest Hills since 2015.

In her message, Tinsley described Dr. Urbaniak as someone who helped create "an infectious culture of positivity and curiosity in both his students and his colleagues." She said he would be remembered for bringing German language and culture to life and for building strong relationships across all three buildings where he taught.

How to share memories

The district is collecting memories, stories, cards, and photos to create a scrapbook for Dr. Urbaniak's family. Items can be dropped off or mailed to Anderson High School at 7560 Forest Road, Cincinnati, OH 45255. Families can also email [email protected].

Additional crisis resources

The district listed several 24/7 support lines for families:

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
  • Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital: 513-636-4124 (non-life-threatening mental health crises)
  • Safer Ohio School Tip Line: 844-723-3764 (safety concerns)

Fernside Center for Grieving Children, a Cincinnati-area nonprofit, offers grief support groups for children ages 3 to 18 and crisis response programs for schools. The district linked Fernside's guide, "How to help a grieving child," in its announcement.

Counseling at Anderson High School is open Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.