Local Officials React to Newtown Tragedy

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley issued the following statement on the Dec. 14 school tragedy in Connecticut:

“The loss of innocent lives today in the shootings in Connecticut are tragic beyond words. Katie and I send our thoughts and prayers to those who lost loved ones in this heartbreaking tragedy. It’s incomprehensible to even attempt to understand the pain these families are feeling today, especially the speechless pain of losing a child. We encourage everyone to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers.”

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett released this statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families touched by the senseless slaughter perpetrated today at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Such violence directed toward anyone is unspeakable – aimed at little children all the more so. There is no point in trying to make sense of it for it makes no sense. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said ‘we find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.’ Tonight, though, hearts are broken into pieces in Newtown, in Montgomery County, and all across America. Some will take a long time to mend. Some never will. And so we pray, we mourn, and we try to figure what we can do to make sure our classrooms resound to the sounds of laughter and learning, not tragic consequences.”

Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown released the following statement on the tragedy in Connecticut:

“Our prayers are with the children, families, and educators of Sandy Hook Elementary School and all who were affected by today’s horrific events. Violence is always senseless, but violence against children is even more difficult to understand – here in Maryland and across the country, we grieve for those whose lives were tragically cut short. And as a father, my thoughts are with the parents who will be forced to bear this terrible burden. We pray for them and for the entire community of Newtown, Connecticut.”

A message from Superintendent Joshua Starr concerning the tragedy in Connecticut:

“Today’s unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, has saddened and shaken us all. As a father, I grieve for the families and the community of Newtown. As an educator, I know the worry and concern that such a tragedy sends throughout every community. We take the safety and security of our students and staff very seriously and work every day to make sure that our children are learning in a safe environment. We will continue to make safety a top priority.

The thoughts of the entire Montgomery County Public Schools family are with the families of Newtown who grieve tonight. We know that it is difficult for parents to talk about this kind of violence with their children. To assist in these conversations, we have posted some helpful resources on the front page of our website, www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org. In addition, school counselors will be available on Monday to help students or staff cope with the emotions and feelings that naturally occur following a such a tragedy.”

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