The girl came to school in a "distressed state" before being sent to the hospital, the principal said. She was later pronounced dead. View Full Caption Shutterstock

NORTH PARK — A kindergartner died shortly after she arrived in class Friday morning, according to a letter sent out by her school's principal.

"The student arrived to school this morning in a distressed state," said Kate Kane, principal of Peterson Elementary, 5510 N. Christiana Ave. "We immediately contacted emergency personnel and the student was taken to the hospital. Tragically, despite the best efforts of all involved, the child passed away."

The 5-year-old girl was pronounced dead at 9:31 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. Kane did not specify the cause of her death and an autopsy result was not available yet.

"This is an absolutely enormous tragedy that will greatly affect the Peterson community," Kane continued in her letter. "In response to this tragic event we have solicited the help of neighborhood counselors and the Chicago Public Schools Crisis Response Team. They have been in the building throughout the day, and we are extraordinarily grateful for their support."

Students were informed of the death in their homeroom classes throughout the day, Kane said.

Evening activities at the school have been canceled, Kane said.

The Department of Child and Family Services said it was not investigating.

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