Fiscus' spouse teaches school at Milford

MILFORD - Milford Middle School principal Cindy Kaiser has the sad task of talking to Paula Fiscus' language arts students about the death of Fiscus' husband, Capt. Todd Fiscus.

The Indiana Guardsman was killed in Afghanistan Saturday when the vehicle Fiscus was a passenger in hit a land mine.

"We, either myself, an assistant or the guidance counselor, are going in at the beginning of each class and talking about Mrs. Fiscus' loss," Kaiser said this morning.

"There is a basket for cards in the office today. Students can either hand-make or purchase cards for Mrs. Fiscus," Kaiser said. "We will take them to her daily."

One Fiscus daughter attends kindergarten. She was present Monday.

A bulletin board honoring "local heroes" has been set up in the middle school hallway most of the year, the principal said, and a steady stream of students has sought out the image of Paula's late spouse.

Paula Fiscus has worked for the Wawasee School Corp. for about 10 years.

"Our policy regarding deaths is to make counseling available to students," said Wawasee School Corp. superintendent Dr. Mark Stock. "From conversations with Paula, Todd would have wanted to kids to know the facts."

In this situation, Stock said, the middle school staff has been able to talk about patriotism, liberty and sacrifices.

Teachers are allowed five days of bereavement leave in general, the superintendent said, and may ask for five more days as circumstances warrant.