April 17, 2007
Dear Pinecrest Parents:
What happened at Virginia Tech yesterday is truly awful. As President Bush said yesterday, "Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community."
I want to let you know that all faculty/staff have been asked to not initiate any conversation with the children about yesterday's events and that if the topic does come up to assure our children that we do everything possible to keep the Pinecrest community safe and to steer conversation away from this topic. The faculty have been asked to share with parents any conversation that does occur so that everyone is on the same page. I believe the right place for any discussion about this or similar such tragic events is in the home and with family, not at school.
Here are some resources that may be helpful to you:
A resource for tips on talking with children about school safety and violence can be found at the National Association of School Psychologists web site.
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/talkingviolence.pdf
http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/cope_child.shtm#3
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/parents/advice/article.php?contentId=49560
http://www.naeyc.org/ece/2001/13.asp
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/helpingchildrencope.aspx
Take care,
Nicole McDermott
April 18, 2007
Dear Pinecrest Community:
As you know, the names of the victims of Monday's Virginia Tech tragedy have been released, and one name on the list is Reema Samaha from Centreville. I am sad to report that Reema and her family are close relatives of Pinecrest French Teacher Ghada Samaha and her family.
If you are so inclined, expressions of sympathy may be sent to Mrs. Samaha and her family c/o Pinecrest School.
We do not have any more information, and there has not been an obituary published at this point. If you want to be kept in the loop about this matter, please let me know and I will keep you informed personally as we receive information.
Nicole McDermott