The Dunkirk City School District is mourning School 5 Principal Danielle Russell, who passed away Saturday.

Superintendent Brian Swatland announced the news in a Saturday letter to the school district. Swatland had told the district in a separate letter March 23 that Russell would be taking a leave of absence to focus on her health.

“Mrs. Russell had been with our district since 2021, first serving as School 7 Principal and Director of Special Education before becoming the principal at School 5,” Swatland wrote Saturday. “She was a devoted and caring administrator who loved our district and the family and students she worked with at School 5. She influenced many lives through her dedication to creating and nurturing the School 5 family.”

Swatland said Carol Smith will continue as interim principal at School 5.

Russell’s family “has requested privacy at this time and has asked for continued prayers for strength to get through this devastating loss,” according to Swatland. “The family has created a GoFundMe to establish an education-based scholarship in honor of Mrs. Russell.”

Swatland said the district “will have our social worker and additional supports available upon return to school after the break” for any students or employees upset by Russell’s passing. His letter also linked to two websites offering advice for helping children deal with grief.

“The entire ONE Dunkirk community will deeply miss her,” Swatland concluded.