The Mid Valley School District and the Scranton, Pennsylvania community are grieving the devastating loss of 5-year-old Olivia Ciullo, a beloved kindergarten student who died following a car accident last weekend.
Olivia’s passing has shaken her school, friends, neighbors, and educators — all of whom describe her as a bright, joyful, and loving child who brought warmth and happiness into every space she entered.
Remembering Olivia
At just five years old, Olivia was known for her curiosity, her gentle kindness, and her big imagination. Her teachers say she approached each day with excitement to learn, create, and make friends. Whether she was sharing crayons, comforting a classmate, or offering her signature morning smile, Olivia’s presence had a special way of making others feel loved and included.
Her school district shared an emotional message this week, writing:
“We are deeply saddened to share that one of our kindergarten students, Olivia Ciullo, involved in a motor vehicle accident last weekend, has passed away. Please keep Olivia and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this heartbreaking time.”
Community Support and Grief Response
In response to the tragic loss, the Mid Valley School District has activated crisis support teams to provide age-appropriate counseling for students and emotional resources for staff. Teachers, administrators, and mental health professionals are working together to help classmates process grief and navigate the difficult days ahead.
Residents across the region have begun offering condolences, sending prayers to the Ciullo family, and organizing tributes in Olivia’s honor. Communities both within the district and beyond are rallying behind her loved ones, demonstrating unity, compassion, and support.
Vigils, classroom drawings, and symbolic memorials are starting to appear around her school — reflecting just how deeply Olivia touched those around her.
For her family, the loss is immeasurable. Olivia was a cherished daughter and the light of her parents’ lives. Relatives describe her as playful, caring, and full of love — a little girl wise beyond her years, whose laughter filled their home.
As the Mid Valley School community holds space for her memory, Olivia’s legacy lives on in the hearts of every child she laughed with, every classmate she supported, and every person she made smile — even in the smallest moments.