Connecticut school district on lockdown after shooting report at a Newtown elemen-#2

[laura08]

Great question! They are called Resource Officers. I know that we had them in Middle and High School, but not in Elementary School. They do NOT have one on duty at my niece's Elementary School (I just learned this). :banghead:

I remember having them as well and you are right they are called Resource Officers, I couldn't think of it. I always find it comforting to know there around to help and protect from dangers like the incident that happened today. Bless those families I hope they find comfort and don't let that evil one take over the rest of there lives. So senseless.

 

[Kimster]

I guess I am the opposite. When my children got home today, I sat down my 4,6, and 8 year old and explained to all three what happened. We talked about staying safe, following directions, and stranger danger.

I really found no reason to shield them from it, as they were likely to hear about it sooner or later. JMO

I never thought about it before, but this might be the best way to deal with it. I remember being a kid and hearing about the Manson murders. My parents didn't want to talk about it and I was REALLY scared! Maybe if they would have, my imagination wouldn't have run wild.

 

[wantjustice]

Only 3 were taken to the hospital and only 1 has survived. Two of the children taken to the hospital have died. The rest of the victims were apparently dead on the scene. 18 children (2 children died at the hospital) and 6 adults. AL unloaded over 100 rounds into that school. We only have one shooting victim who is still alive at this time. No reports have been made on their condition, age, etc... since earlier today.

Wow this man was truly a monster! I can't even take all this in. I just found out his mom is gone too. This is overwhelming. Horrified for the children! How will they ever be able to function normally?! My hearts aches for the road ahead. Also, just sick to my stomach for the parents of lost ones. I am in shock.

 

[rosetattoo]

Or is it just that our MSM reports it as they do? Respectfully, to insinuate that that US has, perhaps, more of this than other countries is incorrect.

While the developing world is certainly more dangerous, the US has a significantly higher homicide rate than Australia, Canada, Japan, and all of Western Europe.

 

[HMSHood]

Maybe he was jealous of his mother giving her attention to her students, and not him?

More like envy, which is extreme jealousy mixed with resentment.

 

[MissieMt]

I guess I am the opposite. When my children got home today, I sat down my 4,6, and 8 year old and explained to all three what happened. We talked about staying safe, following directions, and stranger danger.

I really found no reason to shield them from it, as they were likely to hear about it sooner or later. JMO

I guess it's up to each parent to decide how it should be handled. My daughter is a very emotional girl. She will cry if she hears a baby crying in the store, she just gets sad because they're sad. I think in her case, it would do more harm than good. Staying safe and stranger danger is almost a daily topic in our home, but that's because they know about what happened to my sister.

 

[wfgodot]

Odd to state that, in olden times when I was in grade school, the fact we were rehearsing for attack from an enemy of our country now seems much more comforting than the current rehearsals - in case of attack from our own countrymen, bearing arms.

 

[raine1212]

I would like to take a moment and pray for all the families that lost their babies today.. Their fairy tales and wishes are no longer.. I hugged my 5 year old to death when he came home. If I could give time off my life to bring these babies back I would.. This is a tragedy that none of us will ever forget. Hold your children tight tonight. I know I am holding mine.

 

[katydid23]

I agree with this to a certain extent. IF a child has heard about this, then I believe a more detailed discussion about the security of their own school is really important. They'll need reassurance that their own schools are safe. Also, I think, IF a child already knows, that it is an important time to tell them how important it is to listen to their teachers instructions and to always do as they tell you. Especially in an emergency situation.

Children are a lot smarter than we think. They pick up on things. So it is important to be honest with them... IF they know what happened.

IF they don't know, then I say shield them too!

I heard a very interesting crisis counselor on the car radio just now. She works with kids who have gone through violent incidents in schools etc. She said something I never really considered enough.

She said that one of the mistakes that parents and teachers often make is that we tend to try calm the kids down by telling them what makes US feel less frightened. So we say, 'don't worry, the bad guy is in jail and we have metal detectors in place now.' But it turns out that what made the students feel safe was if their classroom had a few of the mothers or fathers in there with them each day. Which is not at all what we would think mattered.

Also, she said it was very important to ask them a lot of questions if they say they are afraid. For example, instead of just giving out what we would think would reassure them, listen to them and let them tell you what it is that is frightening. Because it might not be what you assume it is.

She also said to keep the tv and radio off when the kids are in the room, because it imprints in a very negative way.

 

[Ricki]

Maybe he was jealous of his mother giving her attention to her students, and not him?

My husband said the same thing and I looked at him like he was crazy. AL was 20 not a 5 year old...It was his moms job to teach them. I guess if the guy had problems it wouldn't seem so crazy, but I am not betting that is the case.

 

[Skagirl]

Anderson Cooper 360 just had an interview with one of the teachers who barricadded her kids in her classroom. She told the kids there were bad guys out there and they had to wait for the good guys to come help them. She made the police officers slip their badges under the door before she would open it.

 

[Coldpizza]

Please take a moment of silence for those affected by this horrible tragedy...

 

[Beyond Belief]

It might be a good idea to take a look at any unsolved cases in this area or where they lived before. This boogie man didn't just turn into one this morning.

All I can think about is 6 good adults and 20 little people who won't get to see Christmas come. I think the worse is yet to come when faces and names are added to this online.

 

['Ailina]

Odd to state that, in olden times when I was in grade school, the fact we were rehearsing for attack from an enemy of our country now seems much more comforting than the current rehearsals - in case of attack from our countrymen, bearing arms.

For my grade school drills, we prepared for fire or tornado. Never human violence. Seems sooooo long ago.

 

[wfgodot]

For my grade school drills, we prepared for fire or tornado. Never human violence. Seems sooooo long ago.

I was just on the cusp of duck-and-cover - we did it in first grade, then the drills henceforth were fire and tornado drills.

 

[HMSHood]

Connecticut Shooter Adam Lanza: 'Obviously Not Well'
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/connecticut-shooter-adam-lanza/story?id=17975673#.UMvRqzPbiTA

Adam Lanza, the 20-year-old who killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut this morning, was "obviously not well," a relative told ABC News.

Family friends in Newtown also described the young man as troubled and described his mother Nancy as very rigid. "[Adam] was not connected with the other kids," said one friend.

Late today, police said Nancy Lanza's body was found in the family home. According to sources, Lanza shot his mother in the face, then left the house armed with at least two semi-automatic handguns and a semi-automatic rifle.

Looks like Adam Lanza had some major issue with his parents, in this case his mother. The article also states Nancy Lanza might of been a volunteer. Of course too early to tell.

 

[LolaMoon08]

I guess I am the opposite. When my children got home today, I sat down my 4,6, and 8 year old and explained to all three what happened. We talked about staying safe, following directions, and stranger danger.

I really found no reason to shield them from it, as they were likely to hear about it sooner or later. JMO

I agree with your method too.

My niece was 11-years-old when Carlie Brucia was abducted and murdered (I live an hour south of Sarasota) and I made her watch the abduction over and over again and explained to her what she should do in a situation like that. When she turned 13, I made her watch one of those ID specials where a young girl snuck out of her bedroom window and was murdered and told her that is what happens when you sneak out of your window at night (she never snuck out). She is not an 18-year-old college student.

Then, I have my 7-year-old niece, who in all respect, is a very sensitive little girl. She takes a little more of a delicate approach and her parents get that.

I think, as a parent, you make the best decision for your children. You made the best decision, as a parent, for your children. Cudo's to you.

 

[LolaMoon08]

I heard a very interesting crisis counselor on the car radio just now. She works with kids who have gone through violent incidents in schools etc. She said something I never really considered enough.

She said that one of the mistakes that parents and teachers often make is that we tend to try calm the kids down by telling them what makes US feel less frightened. So we say, 'don't worry, the bad guy is in jail and we have metal detectors in place now.' But it turns out that what made the students feel safe was if their classroom had a few of the mothers or fathers in there with them each day. Which is not at all what we would think mattered.

Also, she said it was very important to ask them a lot of questions if they say they are afraid. For example, instead of just giving out what we would think would reassure them, listen to them and let them tell you what it is that is frightening. Because it might not be what you assume it is.

She also said to keep the tv and radio off when the kids are in the room, because it imprints in a very negative way.

Excellent, excellent post!

 

[SwampMama]

It is possible that the shooter also stole his mother's identity to purchase and register these guns in her name. Maybe she didnt even know he had them, if that is possible. Where I live, you have to be 21 to own certain guns and the shooter was only 20. So he may have used his mom's identity to register them, which is possible since he also was using his brother's identity for some reason.

I remember having to buy and register a gun for my husband in my name because I was 21 and he was only 20 and couldn't legally own it. So we put it in my name and he turned 21 a few months later.

Of course this is just musing on my part and not based on any facts other than we know he had some ID that indicated he was his brother, and the guns were in his mom's name.

 

['Ailina]

I heard a very interesting crisis counselor on the car radio just now. She works with kids who have gone through violent incidents in schools etc. She said something I never really considered enough.

She said that one of the mistakes that parents and teachers often make is that we tend to try calm the kids down by telling them what makes US feel less frightened. So we say, 'don't worry, the bad guy is in jail and we have metal detectors in place now.' But it turns out that what made the students feel safe was if their classroom had a few of the mothers or fathers in there with them each day. Which is not at all what we would think mattered.

(snipped by me)

Wonderful, I agree. I have no doubt there will be many parents stepping forward to volunteer after this. So true. Their presence alone is comforting.