News - Country:
United States of America - Theme: Health and Safety in Schools
US education community shares Newtown’s grief and loss (17 December 2012)
EI affiliates in the US, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), have expressed their deep condolences to families, educators and the whole community of Newtown, Connecticut, after a shooting rampage at a school left 26 people dead, including 20 students, on Friday.
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A mourner attends a candlelight vigil at Ram's Pasture to remember shooting victims, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut
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Members of the public gather and lay tokens of support at the entrance to Sandy Hook Elementary school
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The shooting appears to be the nation’s second-deadliest school shooting; the 2007 shooting at Virginia Tech University resulted in the deaths of 32 people.
AFT: Heroic teachers
“We are deeply saddened by the horrific events that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School,” stated AFT President Randi Weingarten. “We thank the teachers, school staff, first responders and healthcare workers who heroically prevented more lives from being lost; and our hearts go out to the children and the entire community of Newtown.”
NEA: Deep concern
The NEA also extended its whole support to the members of the AFT in Connecticut (AFTCT). “We are deeply concerned for everyone in the Newtown community and will work with the AFTCT and the Connecticut Education Association in the hours and days ahead to help them in any way we can to cope with this tragedy,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel.
You can send your messages of condolence and support to the students, staff, teachers and community of Newtown here.
To read the EI Statement on School Shooting in Newtown, USA, please click here.
