Newtown Aftermath: Schools Chief Sends Safety Message to Local Parents

Hillsborough County's superintendent of schools, MaryEllen Elia, spoke to parents and guardians in a telpehone message aimed to alleviate fears or concerns they might have concerning school safety in light of the school shooting massacre in Newtown, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 14.

• Elia also sent a separate telephone message to the teachers, staff and administrators working for the Hillsborough County school district.

Here is the text of the supeintendent's message to parents, sent Dec. 16:

Hello, this is superintendent MaryEllen Elia, calling to talk about going back to schoool on Monday in light of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the 20 children who lost their lives in Newtown on Friday, as well as the teachers, the principal, the psychologist and the staff who literally gave their lives protecting the children in their care.

Their actions speak volumes about the dedication of teachers and staff who work with children in schools around this nation. 

I have spoken with Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee and Tampa police chief Jane Castor, and we've been in contact with Plant City and Temple Terrace police, who will work together with our school security staff to arrange for deputies and officers to play a more visible role on and around our campuses, especially our elementary schools.

I thank them for their assistance to our district and this comunity. 

In additon, school psychologists, guidance counselors and staff will be available to any student, parent or staff who'd like someone to talk to. 

We're working with law enforcement, doing everything we can to keep our campuses safe and secure.

Thank you. 

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RELATED COVERAGE:

• Police Assigned to Hillsborough Schools Monday

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Check with the Newtown Patch for ongoing local coverage of the school shootings.

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