At the nine Arlington public schools on Monday, April 22, the plan is to “have as normal a school day as possible,” Superintendent Kathleen Bodie has written in an email to parents and guardians.
In a subsequent email Friday, April 19, she alerted the Thompson community to the possibility that Eastern Bus drivers may go on strike Monday.
Principal Sheri Donovan sent an email on Monday, April 22, saying: “The buses are running.”
On Monday at the middle and high school, the victims of the Marathon explosions will be remembered with a moment of silence.
“We are all sharing many emotions this week as we witness and grieve about the … tragedy that has touched all of our lives,” she wrote. “Some of us have family members or friends who were hurt or present at the finish line. Our collective thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families affected by this tragedy.
“On the heels of the Newtown tragedy, young children and adolescents may be experiencing anxiety about their own safety and the safety of their loved ones. Many have been watching the continuous news coverage more than they would normally this past week.”
To help, Bodie noted additional resources on the district’s website.
“There is great comfort for children, adolescents and adults alike in following a predictable routine. Teachers at the elementary level will not be explicitly talking about the events.
“The strong message to students will be that they are in a safe environment with people who care about them very much and who are responsible for keeping their environment safe,” she wrote. “Since the Newtown tragedy, the security in all of our buildings has been increased. All doors are locked during the school day.”
A counselor is expected to be available in each school for students who need to speak with someone. If your child is experiencing difficulty with this tragedy, reach out to the school’s administration or counselors for support, she wrote.
“As a community, we can be very proud of the response of our police department in this crisis,” she wrote. “Officers have come back from vacations and leaves to support their fellow officers in Watertown and Boston this week, as well as providing an enhanced, visible presence in Arlington.
“One of the uplifting outcomes of this shared tragedy has been outpouring of care and concern for those who have been injured or affected in more intangible ways. Hopefully, this renewed spirit of community and care will be long-lasting.”
This story was published Friday, April 19, 2013, and updated Monday, April 22.
