In an e-mail sent to parents this afternoon, Portsmouth Middle School principal Joe Amaral outlined the planned support for students reacting to today's tragic events in Connecticut.

Today in Newtown, Connecticut an event of tragic proportion took place in a local elementary school resulting in multiple deaths. Our hearts go out to their families as they suffer through these tragic losses.

I am sure that the media will be covering this event continually today and perhaps even this weekend. Realizing that this event might create questions and in some of our students anxiety, the Portsmouth Middle School will support students in the following fashion:

1. Members of the Crisis Intervention Team will be available to any student needing support on Monday. (Members are listed below).

2. Teachers will be made aware to refer students to the Crisis Intervention Team if they feel that your child's demeanor is out of character or if your child shows signs of anxiety.

3. If you feel after discussing this topic with your child that he/she needs additional support please contact the respective person on the Crisis Intervention Team:

Grade 4/5 - Nelia Almeida; Guidance Counselor
Grade 6 - Michelle Michno; Guidance Counselor
Grade 7/8 - Francesca Faria; Guidance Counselor

Nancy Souza - School Nurse Teacher
Dr. Susan Curley - School Psychologist
Jamie Toner - School Social Worker

Joseph Amaral - Principal
Lisa Little - Assistant Principal Grades 4 and 5
Chad Smith - Assistant Principal Grades 6, 7 and 8

It is important to maintain a sense of normalcy for your child and to reassure them that they are coming to a safe and caring school environment. Let's work together to guide our students through this difficult situation.

Joseph N. Amaral
Principal

Our hearts go out to the parents, students, and families of Sandy Hook Elementary.

Update: Alert Now e-mail from Portsmouth School Supt. Dr. Lynn Krizic

An important message to the parents and staff of the Portsmouth School Department

Our hearts go out to the entire community of Newtown, Connecticut in light of the terrible events that transpired there today. We along with everyone in the country and in our schools were, of course, shocked as this horrific crime unfolded. Unfortunately, as a nation we are experiencing tragedies of such significance that we are all continuously being deeply affected by the sense of loss.

It is important for our families and community to know that our buildings are always locked during the school day. As soon as our building leaders learned of the shooting they immediately sought to ensure all doors were locked as is our procedure in times of a crisis.

Please know that while there is no plan that can totally prevent a random act of senseless violence like this, the Portsmouth School Department does have a school safety plan in place that has been reviewed by law enforcement authorities, administrators and teachers. As the lessons of this event emerge, our plan will be reviewed and updated accordingly.

This tragedy will be splashed across every communication medium for days and weeks to come. It will most likely be difficult for our children to escape hearing about it. We encourage you to limit your child's exposure to this traumatic information, and if you watch the television about this event, do it together.

We know that in times like these, when parents aren't sure what to do, or how or if to talk about such tragedies because adults first have to sort out their own feelings. Because of the significance of this tragedy we thought it would be helpful to provide you with access to information and the guidance offered by child health experts. Following are links that will hopefully assist you in that conversation:

American Psychological Association – Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/aftermath.aspx

American Academy of Pediatrics – Resources to Help Parents, Children and Others Cope in the Aftermath of School Shootings http://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/pages/AAP-Offers-Resources-t...

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – Children and Grief http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Children+and+Grief&section=Facts+for+Families

Massachusetts General Hospital for Children –How Parents Can Help Children After a National Tragedy http://www.massgeneral.org/about/newsarticle.aspx?id=3912

Child Mind Institute – Caring For Kids After A School Shooting http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2011-1-6-caring-kids-after-sc...

In the days and weeks ahead, we suggest you let your child ask you questions, rather than just giving all the information. This helps you know how much he or she can handle. Be truthful without exaggerating the concern.

Watch for signs that your young child is in distress: any unusual changes in behavior; fear of being alone or the dark; excessive crying, bed-wetting or other reversion problems; acting out; sleeplessness; etc. If you notice these behaviors, contact your medical professional for follow-up.

Our school social workers and guidance counselors will be available to speak with students next week, should they need additional support.

Lynn S. Krizic, Ed.D., Superintendent