Parent Information Regarding Tragic Event in Newtown, CT

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We learned this afternoon that there was a mass school shooting in Connecticut near Danbury.  The School, Sandy Hook Elementary School, is a K-4 elementary school in a rural setting.  As we close school for the weekend, we want to be sure you are prepared to speak with your children about this tragedy. 

1.  Talk honestly about the incident without using graphic detail and share some of your feelings about it.  It is important that students feel informed.

2.  Encourage your child to tell you about their concerns and express their feelings.  Validate their feelings and concerns.

3.  Limit television viewing.  It can be difficult for children to process the images and messages in news reports.

4.  Recognize what may be behind your child's behavior.  Your child may minimize their concerns outwardly, but they may become argumentative or withdrawn.

5.  Seek help when necessary.  If you are worried about your child's reaction or have concerns about his/her behavior or emotions, contact a counselor at your school or refer to your own family practice physician.

We feel confident about our own security measures in our district and we will be double checking the district safety plans with law enforcement officials at the town.  We are convening our mental health staff here to review what occurred and prepare them to support our students as needed.

There are several resources which may be helpful to you as you speak with your children:

 

 

In Spanish:

 

Our thoughts are with the community of Newtown. 

Sincerely,

 

Maria Geryk

Superintendent

Estimados padres/encargados:

 

Nos enteramos ésta tarde que hoy hubo disparos en una escuela en Newtown, Connecticut cerca de Danbury. La escuela elemental Sandy Hook es una escuela de grados k-4 en un área rural. A medida que cerramos las escuelas por el fin de semana, deseamos asegurarnos que estén preparados para hablar con sus niños acerca de ésta tragedia. 

 

 

Aunque nos sentimos satisfechos con los sitemas de seguridad de nuestras escuelas, tomaremos el tiempo de revisar nuestros planes con los oficiales de seguirdad del pueblo. Estaremos trabajando con nuestro personal de salud mental para planificar cómo vamos a apoyar a nuestros estudiantes ha medida que sea necesario. Exiten recursos que pueden accesar en la red de internet:

 

En inglés:

 

En español:

 

Nuestros pensamientos estám con la comunidad de Newtown.

 

Sinceramente,

Maria Geryk

superintendente