A Message to the Red Oak School Community About the Tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut
The entire Red Oak School District Family is deeply saddened by the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families and the community. We join all Iowans and all people across the land in expressing our deepest sympathies.
Extensive coverage of this event will continue on the news and discussion will continue as families mourn their loss in the coming days. I want to assure you that the safety of our Red Oak students is our top priority and that our district schools have comprehensive safety plans in place to help avoid tragedies such as this. These plans are updated annually and school crisis intervention teams review each plan on a regular basis.
As you support your children this week prior to the holiday break and as you help them cope with the ongoing news from Newtown; our district’s professionals suggest several things for your consideration:
- Limit your child’s media viewing and online access to these events. Please do not allow the television or Internet 24-hour news cycle to consume your child’s attention. If you do watch news coverage of these events, openly talk with your child about what happened, listen to their questions, and assure them that they are safe.
- Assure your children that they have your love and support. Try to help them understand what happened in an age-appropriate manner. Our children need to feel safe – at home and at school.
- Assure your children that they are safe at school. As tragic as the event in Connecticut is, schools are without question one of the safest places for children. Your child’s school has safety procedures in place and all of the adults at school are devoted to making sure children remain safe at school. We also have a strong partnership with the Red Oak Police Department and the Montgomery County Sherriff’s Department – all who place great priority on keeping our children and our schools safe.
School district personnel are prepared throughout this pre-holiday week to support students in schools who may have questions or concerns. If you have specific questions, I encourage you to contact your child’s school principal, school counselor, or classroom teacher.
Thank you for all you do to support the Red Oak Community School District.
Respectfully,
Terry L. Schmidt
Superintendent of Schools