Reaction to Newtown, Conn., school shooting

Principal of Columbine High, families of Virginia Tech victims offer support for those affected by Sandy Hook Elementary shootings

Dec. 17, 2012

2 min read

Video from WUSA9.com: Frank DeAngelis, who is the principal at Columbine High School in Jefferson County, Colo., as he was in 1999 when two students unleashed a shooting rampage at the school, offers his support to the people of Newtown, Conn.

MORE REACTION:

*The VTV Family Outreach Foundation, created by families of the victims and survivors of the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, offers the assistance of its Crisis Response Team to help respond to the Sandy Hook shootings. “as families of the victims and survivors of the April 16, 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, we know that their loss is incredible,” says Joe Samaha, president of the foundation.

*A statement from Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers: “The entire AFT community is shaken to its core by this massacre of young children and the educators and school employees who care for and nurture them....” Read the entire statement.

*National School Boards Association: Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel says: “NSBA will assist our colleagues in the Newtown Public Schools, their Board of Education, and our state association, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, in any way that we can.” Read the entire statement.

*National Education Association: President Dennis Van Roekel says: “We join the Newtown community and our entire nation in mourning the deaths of innocent children and educators due to violence. As members of the education community, we extend our deepest sympathies to members of the (AFT Connecticut) who have lost friends and colleagues.” Read the entire statement.

National Association of Elementary School Principals: Executive Director Gail Connelly says: “We recognize the heroism of Sandy Hook school staff who sacrificed their lives and those who acted courageously to protect children. We are deeply saddened by the loss of principal Dawn Hochsprung, who has been a member of NAESP for nearly 10 years.” Read the entire statement.