ELKHART – An Elkhart elementary school is working to maintain its school routine, while grieving the loss of a student.

Kristyana Jackson, 7, died Sunday after being shot in the head Friday during a home invasion. Her father, John Jackson, was also shot, but was treated and released from Elkhart General Hospital.

Kristyana was a second-grader at Mary Daly Elementary.

“Our prayers for peace go out to the Jackson family,” Daly Principal Josh Nice said in a formal statement. “Kristyana was a wonderful little girl from a great family. She will be remembered as a student that brought joy to others here at Mary Daly.”

Nice also said that school officials “are doing all that we can to support the rest of our students emotionally while continuing on with school.”

Jodee Shaw, Elkhart Community Schools communications coordinator, said that teachers started the day by letting kids know what happened to Kristyana and giving the kids time to respond.

Extra social workers are at the school today, Aug. 20, while more are available if needed.

“It’s always so hard, because obviously the teachers are close to the kids too, so they’re dealing with their own feelings, but need to stay strong for the younger kids,” Shaw said.

“Obviously, it’s very somber over there,” she said.