District 13 Message in Wake of Elementary School Shootings in Newtown

From rsd13ct.org

It is with great sadness that we begin the work of acknowledging the events of today in Newtown, CT.  We are expecting there will be significant and ongoing media coverage over the next hours and days.  

How and if you choose to discuss these events with your child will be unique to you and your family.  We thought however, that we might suggest extremely limited/non-existent exposure to the media at this time.  Younger students especially, when exposed to the magnitude of such events, can experience stress and anxiety, as they have few, if any coping strategies developed to assimilate the information.  Should your child hear information referring to this event from elsewhere, it is important to assure them that they are safe.  

If you choose to talk to your child about these events, please keep in mind the nature of their understanding, and their developmental level.  Talking about death and tragedy with young children calls for simple answers and simple honesty, always ending with a statement about your confidence that they are safe can better help your child accept difficult information.  As always, if you wish to speak with us at school about discussing this with your child, we are available. 

At our elementary schools, these events will not be discussed with students in deference to the parenting you wish to do.  As always though, should your child express concern or anxiety about it at school, we have supports in place to address it.  Please be assured that our schools are taking extra precautions to ensure safety for all of our students.  

Sincerely,

Susan Viccaro

Superintendent of Schools

Regional School District 13