<p>The Sandy Hook schoolchildren left all their school supplies behind when they evacuated. There’s a need for everything from crayons to backpacks. And while I have not seen this mentioned, perhaps winter coats.</p>
<p>A neighboring town has a mothballed middle school that can be transformed into a K-4 elementary school by the end of this week, or perhaps for January 2.</p>
<p>My local town is doing a school supplies drive. I would contact perhaps the PTA in Newtown or the Connecticut to see if more is needed.</p>
<p>I think I lost it the most when the President named the kids in his speech. Watching the news over and over again has to make it worse. It’s just unimaginable.</p>
<p>I would be more worried if I wasn’t sad. I think it’s pretty normal to be horrified by news like this. However, for anyone who feels this way for a long time, or it is interfering with their normal functioning, they would probably need professional help to cope with it. </p>
<p>Kudos to anyone who does a good deed as a response. As Dr. MKL Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that”</p>
<p>I have been thinking about the parents of those kids. I am guessing that many of them will need to take extended leaves of absence from work… I was thinking about contributing to some organization or fund to help provide some finances for them during that period, but couldn’t figure out which one would be best from a list I found.</p>
<p>God, not them! There is a special place in hell for people like that.</p>
<p>OP, we lost many friends in the 9/11 bombings, and it just takes time to heal. Just give yourself some space to grieve, and don’t worry too much. Your customers will likely understand if you are bit misty eyed today.</p>
<p>Sending cnp55 warm thoughts and positive energy.</p>
<p>We all will grieve in our own ways as many different factors will contribute to how deeply and for how long this will effect each person. How close you are, how old your kids are, how sensitive you are in general, just how emotional you are at this time of the year, past events in our own lives etc.</p>
<p>So to all those deep in sadness, including cnp55, a long embracing hug to you. </p>
<p>I find hugging those you love, physical contact, helps dissipate the feelings of deep sadness. It may also open up the floodgates which will help.</p>
<p>I wonder if there is a fund to donate to for those families that cannot afford a funeral. This would certainly be a direct way to help an immediate family need.</p>
<p>Westboro always says they’re coming, and rarely show. Isn’t it funny that a group so dedicated to being hateful and divisive has the exact opposite effect? People come together to defend against Westboro in ways they would never think of doing over other things.</p>
<p>Our school psychologist reminded us yesterday in our pre-dawn meeting that there were hundreds of children who were saved by the bravery of the teachers, and the teachers who died protecting their kids. I have turned the tv off, I just can’t stand the coverage and the partisan debating over what’s to be done. My son cried when he came back from covering PSU’s vigil; the press corp was doing okay until the names were read and he said they turned all the cameras off and just cried, too. Don’t think newspeople don’t have hearts. </p>
<p>I do not want armed guards at my school. Our neighborhood policeman came to visit again today, and it just feels so wrong. </p>
<p>The world is full of light, and goodness, and mercy, even when we don’t deserve it or expect it. I try to concentrate on that. But I am very sad, too. I look at my students and cannot fathom an illness so profound that would make shooting them seem like an option. And I wonder if there’s anything short of an institution that could help a person with that kind of illness.</p>
<p>I was heartened to see that anonymous hackers targeted that despicable organization and released all of the members’ personal info. If I link, may be a TOS violation here, but google “Anonymous Hackers Westboro” for the report and video.</p>
<p>cnp55- Your proximity to this tragedy is not insignificant and I have much empathy for your pain. I think that in addition to location, there is something so universally resonant about the grief of these families and the loss of young children under horrific circumstances. Almost every parent has brought their young child to school or an activity, expecting them to be safe. Others of us now have caring young adults, entering the work force full of dedication. Most are lucky to know wise, seasoned educators. We all cry the same tears. </p>
<p>I like the idea of finding some ways to honor these young lives, as well as the heroic teachers. It is such an important part of the healing process, especially when we feel helpless.</p>
<p>I too have felt sad and helpless about this horrible tragedy. Seeing those comfort dogs on TV did make me smile though. </p>
<p>UConn has started a memorial scholarship fund in honor of the Sandy Hook victims that will provide financial aid to current Sandy Hook students, siblings of victims, and dependents of adult victims who will eventually attend UConn. The United Way of western CT is also collecting donations, altho I’m not sure how those donations will be used.</p>
<p>Its all very distressing. I live 5 miles from the school and work with 23 people from Newtown. In another post here, I mentioned that a coworker on Friday wasn’t certain about his kids in the school. His daughter was one of those who died.</p>
<p>Where I feel sad is in knowing that every single person who was in that schoolhouse has been changed. Forever.</p>
<p>A long time ago I remember something I heard Dr. Phil say, that stuck with me, and it is what I believe every single person in that schoolhouse will be dealing with for a very long time…(paraphrased) It’s like getting sunburned internally . Every single thing makes you flinch. Only time will heal the emotional burn, and it may leave scarring.</p>
<p>The first photo I saw on Friday morning was the line of little kids, single file, being led by (I presume a teacher), each child with their hand on the shoulder of the child in front. One little girl, smack center, in a turquoise shirt, had an expression I immediately equated with Phan Thị Kim Phúc, (the Vietnamise girl whose photo shocked the world, as she ran down the road, with napalm on her). This little girl in Newtown has haunted me since Friday. I even told my best friend, “I have to know who she is, and hug her. I have to tell her ‘I’m sorry for what happened’” - Yesterday afternoon, on Dr. Oz, I “met” her mother. The little girl is Gabby. Gabby was not on the show, only her mother (I’m glad). </p>
<p>To Gabby (and every one else): I am so sorry for what happened. I am so sorry you had to experience this. I am so sorry.</p>
<p>Justamom–I havent seen any of the television coverage–but have been websurfing and reading a lot. What broke me down friday night was the police officer describing how they told the kids to line up with their hands on each others’ shoulders, and keep their eyes closed when they walked out. Totally knocked the breath out of me, almost literally. I tried to describe to my H what had got me crying, and i couldnt even get the words out.</p>