Newtown Shooting: Mansfield Superintendent Addresses Community

After the tragic shooting Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown that Connecticut State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance told reporters resulted in the deaths of 20 children, six adults and the shooter, Mansfield Superintendent Fred Baruzzi released the following statement to the Mansfield Public Schools community.

I write to inform you that due to a tragic incident which occurred at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the Mansfield Public Schools, E.O. Smith High School, the Town Manager, Director of Emergency Management, Youth Services Coordinator and Resident State Trooper have met and plan to take the following steps:

•  A meeting will be held with all staff by the end of the day to address any questions they may have and provide support as  necessary.

• School psychologists will develop and distribute to teachers, with the assistance of the building principal, an age appropriate opportunity for students at all schools on Monday providing students with an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have regarding this incident. 

I wish to assure you that the district has a current safety plan in place to protect students and staff. As the facts of this incident become more readily available, Town officials will work with building principals and Central Office staff to review the current safety plans for each school and to modify those plans as appropriate.

Parents are encouraged to address this incident with their child as they deem appropriate and if needed, please feel free to contact your school for support and/or assistance. An article entitled Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers is available at www.mansfieldct.gov/mboe.

Thank you for your continued support.

Fred