Statement on Sandy Hook Shooting

Dear Montessorians,

It is Monday after the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and the nation has been mourning this senseless violence since last Friday. This is not the simple grief of a loss but rather a grieving for the needless deaths of young children and adults, for the pain of families and their loved ones, for a community grounded in peace. We join President Obama in expressing our own sympathy for the families of children and staff whose needless deaths were taken in this school shooting.

This horrific tragedy affects every child and it requires the wisdom of adults to help ease the pain. Parents will turn to you as a school leader to give them guidance on how to handle their children’s questions and behaviors. You can guide your families in the following ways:

• First dealing with ourselves, examining our own feelings before speaking with children
• Create the space for a conversation and listen to what their children have to say
• Limit their media exposure
• Be honest with facts with older children
• Realistically reassure them that they are safe; for instance—we will do our best to keep you safe
• Express your compassion and sympathy for the families
• Encourage community

NAIS, the National Association of Independent Schools, has developed an excellent list of specific sources that you can reference. You can also contact your local school district for referrals to their school psychologists for advice.

Understandably parents are fearful, anxious and need reassurance that safety prevails at our schools. Inform them that this is a priority and outline the safety precautions that you have in place. Sadly so, private schools will have to join the public sector in developing and practicing lockdown protocols and security procedures. It appears that practicing such precautions saved lives.

Be assured that I will participate in conversation with other Montessori leaders as to how we can contribute to national non-violence, communicate with policy makers at all levels, and share Montessori, which has as its core value, peace.

It is our responsibility to provide environments where every child’s spirit may flourish—allowing them to look at life with joy and with trust. You and your staff do this daily and I applaud you for your continued commitment to Peace Education. Together we can make a difference.

Sincerely,

Virginia McHugh Goodwin

Executive Director