Cranford Principal: Shooting Won't Be Formally Discussed

Editor's Note: The following is a letter emailed to parents Dec. 15, 2012, from Hillside Avenue School Principal Curt Fogas. This article includes a resource also sent to parents called "Helping Children Cope with Tragedy."  

Good Morning,   

By now, most of you have learned of the tragedy in the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.  It is only natural after the shock and the pain, that you think about your child(ren) and our school. 

Please know that each school in Cranford has a comprehensive crisis management plan that has procedures in place to deal with events similar to the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our teachers consistently receive crisis management and security drill training. Additionally, each school has their own crisis management team who review safety/security procedures, monitor our security drills, and make recommendations for enhancing our security plans.  

We also practice fire/evacuation drills as well as security drills with our students on a monthly basis. While nothing can completely prevent incidents like this from happening, please be assured that he have, and will continue to, take every precaution to provide a safe environment within our school. 

Realizing each family is dealing with what to say to their children about 
the event, please know that our teachers will not "formally" be 
discussing this in school. However, they will provide comfort and 
reassurance to the students. The Hillside Avenue School Counseling Staff 
will also be on call to address any individual who may need additional 
support through this difficult time.

Please keep the Sandy School community in your thoughts and prayers.
Curt Fogas