NEW CANAAN, CT – New Canaan Public Schools has announced that Alyssa Iwanski, a popular art teacher at Saxe Middle School, died unexpectedly over the weekend.

Superintendent Bryan Luizzi shared the news of Iwanski’s unexpected death “with deep sadness” in a message sent to families Sunday evening.

“We met with Saxe faculty and staff this evening to update them and offer our support. Counselors will be available in Saxe (Monday) to assist students and staff as needed during this difficult time,” Luizzi’s message reads.

Luizzi said the district’s counseling team was ready to provide any necessary support to students and staff Monday and encouraged anyone to reach out if they feel their child could benefit from speaking to someone.

Luizzi also noted that the district has no further details to share at this time, but that the entire NPS community is keeping Iwanski’s family in their thoughts and prayers.

The district declined further comment.

“Please join us in thinking of Alyssa’s family during this difficult time,” Luizzi said in the message.

According to the New Canaan Advertiser, the district informed Saxe’s seventh and eighth grade students of Iwanski’s death during a morning Zoom call, and both Principal Dave Gusitsch and Assistant Principal Julia Ferreira visited each core classroom to speak directly with students .