Schools

Spinelli: Tragedies Like the Shooting in Newtown 'Frighten Us the Most'

The Foxborough School Committee held a moment of silence prior to Monday's meeting for the 26 victims of the Newtown, Conn. shooting.

Foxborough Schools Superintendent Debra Spinelli told the school committee that everything “ran smoothly” Monday as children and staff were back in schools following last

“We want you to know everything went smoothly at our schools [Monday],” Spinelli said. “We are taking our cues from children in terms of answering their questions or discussing the recent events. … Students were engaging in their normal learning activities and happy to be at school. … Staff reassured students that school is a safe place and that they were there to listen to them. A few extra hugs didn’t hurt either.”

The Foxborough School Committee held a moment of silence prior to Monday’s meeting for the 26 victims – 20 children - of the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

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“On behalf of the Foxborough School Committee and the School administration, I would like to offer our deepest and sorrowful condolences to anyone who has been touched by the events of the past week,” said Foxborough School Committee chair Beverley Lord. “We recognize that the entire community of Newtown, Conn. will be affected by this senseless, horrific act for years to come. We will keep anyone who is suffering in our thoughts and our prayers.”

Spinelli also wanted to assure the community and the school committee that the school department is offering support to anyone who needs it and will continue to review its school safety plans.

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“Teachers and staff will continue to support those who need it,” Spinelli said. “If parents feel the need, please reach out to our school counseling staff for additional assistance. … Be sure that we are continuing to review our school safety plans with the Foxborough Police Department, our school administrators and all of our staff. We will continue to work with parents and families to address any of their concerns.”

Spinelli added that the Dec. 14 tragedy in Newtown, Conn., especially during the holiday season, served as “the most painful reminder that life is so very precious.”

“What happened in Newtown, Conn. is truly chilling,” Spinelli said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the children, families and staff in Newtown, Conn. These are the things that frighten us the most … incomprehensible, unexpected, unpredictable events far outside the norm of what we can possibly anticipate. As adults, even we don’t have the answers to some of the difficult questions children are asking.”


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