Chaparral High School is mourning the death of a third student this school year.

Sophomore Koby James Stevens, 16, died April 9.

He was an athlete who played football and lacrosse.

Stevens is survived by his parents, Tim and Karie, and brother, Kaleb, and grandmother Corrine Schreiber, of Aurora.

Principal Greg Gotchey sent a letter to Chaparral parents April 9, expressing the school's grief over Stevens' passing. It asked parents to ensure their students knew counseling and support is available.

"The district crisis team has been activated and will be working with school counselors and mental health professionals to ensure that both students and staff are supported," Gotchey's email read. "Knowing what to say to your student is often difficult. When no other words come to mind, a hug and saying, 'This is really hard' may provide comfort.

"As I have grown accustomed to saying, 'Take care of one another,' so please let us know if we can help."

Students communicated their feelings on Twitter, with many offering their prayers and support to the Stevens family. Others wrote of the series of losses the school has experienced.

"Chap has seen a lot of death and sadness this year, and getting an email that Koby Stevens is dead is definitely hard for all of us," one student Tweeted.

"I can't believe this has happened three times this year. That's three times too many. Rest in peace Koby, Jonathon and Taylor," Tweeted another.

Taylor Llewellyn, 17, died in an automobile crash in October, and Jonathon Nash, 16, died in November.

Chaparral delayed the scheduled April 10 closing ceremony of its Wish Week.