CLAREMONT — After a para-educator unexpectedly died at Maple Avenue Elementary School early Monday morning, students were sent home for the day.

The para-educator died suddenly before the school day began, according to an email sent from SAU 6 to the school community. The message describes the death as a “tragic event,” but does not identify the person or how they died.

“No students were present in the building at that time,” the message said.

The school was closed in response to this medical emergency, Superintendent Chris Pratt confirmed in a Monday email.

School will resume Tuesday, Pratt said.

Police responded to a medical call unrelated to a student at the school shortly after 8 a.m. on Monday, Claremont Police Chief Brent Wilmot confirmed.

The Maple Avenue Elementary office opens at 7:30 a.m. and classes at begin at 8:30 a.m. At least one bus carrying students arrived at the school Monday morning before classes were canceled.

The police assisted the Claremont Fire Department and EMS on the call, Wilmot said, and the patient was transported to Valley Regional Hospital.

The message from SAU 6 describe d the para-educator as “a dedicated and compassionate member of our school community, and their absence will be deeply felt by both staff and students.”

The message to the community placed an emphasis on the need for collective support.

“As we navigate this painful loss, we encourage everyone to come together in support of one another. It is natural to experience a range of emotions during times like these, and we want to ensure that our community members feel supported.”

Support will be available to anyone in the school community who needs it following the death, the message said.

“Our counseling staff will be available to help process this loss, and we encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out for support,” the email said.

Clare Shanahan can be reached at cshanahan@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.

CORRECTION: Chris Pratt is superintendent of SAU 6 in Claremont. A previous version of this story included an outdated title for Pratt.