East Windsor Schools Working to Help Kids, Parents Feel Safe in the Wake of Newtown Shootings

As students were making plans to return to school in East Windsor on Monday, school leaders were mindful that students and parents alike were in need of extra assurance in the wake of the Newtown shootings.

Like in most towns in Connecticut, East Windsor Superintendent of Schools Theresa Kane reached out to teachers to help them prepare for students who are still shaken up by the events, which unfolded in a town not unlike East Windsor.

"Over the weekend, we sent advice to our staff regarding how to speak to students at each grade level regarding the tragedy," Kane said. "Today, I sent a letter to parents with the same advice."

The letter that parents received had words of encouragment and advice from the town's Behavioral Interventionist, Don Casella. It says, in part:

“In responding to the students at all grade levels, I would advise that all teachers and staff be thoughtful, and respond in a caring and compassionate manner, without contributing to the anxiety and fears of the child they are speaking with, regardless of the student’s age. It is always a very sound precautionary rationale to realize that we do not know what these kind of events may be triggering for the students, and regardless of whether it makes sense to us or not, an individual’s response to such a significant tragedy is very personal, and simply a matter of their life experience up to this time. It may not make sense to us as another person, and it is not our role to judge and/or challenge a child’s response to this kind of event, since, again, we may not be aware of what this could be triggering for that individual.”

Counselors are also available to speak with parents and students who were experiencing anxiety and sadness from the event.

"A very few students took advantage of this," Kane Tuesday.

The letter continues by describing age-appropriate and grade-level responses for the children.

For the Kindergarten through second grade students, Casella advised that some children will not have been made aware of the situation. For older children, grades three and up, Casella suggested a quick of explanation, such as: “I understand that the news of the events in Newtown may be confusing and sad, so if you need to speak with someone about it, please let me know, and I will refer you to someone who can speak with you about it.”

Kane also said that three parents called her office to discuss their questions and concerns prior to Monday's start of school.