Dear Parents,

 The safety and security of your children is our top priority.  Saint Patrick School has a comprehensive security plan in place.  As a school staff we review the plan annually and conduct all the required safety drills including two lock-down drills each year.  

In light of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, Saint Patrick School will be reviewing and updating our security measures and protocols.  As more accurate information becomes available, we will utilize this information and work with local law enforcement professionals to review and revise, where necessary, our procedures.  

This morning, the school staff met to debrief and plan for handling the situation with the students. Our plan is to go about business as usual.  We are aware that there are children who know what has happened and some who do not.  We will do our best to protect both.  I encourage all parents to have some discussion with your children.  With all the media coverage and people talking, they are bound to hear about it from someone.  I have attached some tips for speaking to children about violence.

It is unbearable to think of what the school community of Sandy Hook is going through.  As a school community we will offer up our prayers for the safety of children and families grieving across the world who have been affected by the loss of loved ones.

I end with a quote from Pope Benedict: "I ask God our father to console all those who mourn and to sustain the entire community with the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love."

In Christ,

Scott Czarnopys