Totally agree with the above. This administration should be ashamed of themselves.

I work in one of the elementary schools, one of the K-2. Dr. O'Connor suggested that the high school and middle school observe the moment of silence on Friday morning. As a teacher of young students, I fully support this decision. Some of our students may have been aware of what occurred in Newtown last week, but many of the families did not discuss it with their children at that age level. So I can not speak for the other schools, but we decided to do our honoring in other ways. For example, we made snowflakes for the "new" school the students will be going to. We did not mention why necessarily, but students were just told they were making them to help other boys and girls feel better. So before you state that it is showing disrespect, understand there are other acts of kindness that did occur for this tragedy as well as many others in the past.

Let me offer another opinion. My son is in elementary school and I have been anxious about his reaction to what happened. What goes on in the mind of a ten-year old? Also, these kids were aware of the prophesy that the world was supposed to end on Friday. Later in the day our end of town lost power. My son told me one girl panicked and hid under a table while they were at recess as she thought the end was coming. My son explained to her that the Mayan calendar is actually a circle. He drew a circle and asked her where it ended. She pointed to the spot and he told her that's also where it started. Since it was a circle there really is no end. (an explanation he had heard from his brother). He said she calmed down.

My heart is broken for those children and their families in Newtown but I think a moment of silence in the lower grades may have created more anxiety. I definitely agree that it should have been observed with the older children.

Jane- it's disrespectful to stand out in te community by not taking part. Since the public school system is employed by the tax payers, maybe they should have asked the families their opinion before making it for them. Just terrible.

The Wynn did a moment of silence!

TMHS did a moment of silence. Your source needs to get their facts straight. Ignorant.

When the principal of the Heath Brook was speaking before the holiday concert on Monday, she discussed the incident with us. She said they would not be discussing it at all - business as usual. I couldn't agree with her more - these kids are 5-7 years old - they are already scared enough, and while it was a moment of silence to respect those fallen, these little ones didn't need the added anxiety of participating.

My son said the Ryan did too.. My children are aware of what happened in Newtown but I told them not to discuss it at school since there were going to be some kids that will not know about what happened. It was the parents choice and I didn't want my kids to scare their friends. From what I have heard, the K-4 schools did not participate in the moment of silence. My daughter said her school didn't. Do I wish they did? Yes but I understand where they are coming from. Plus I think the police car out in front of the schools all week made them nervous enough. I also think that the schools can't win. If the K-4 schools had, there would be parents upset about that too.

The elementary school kids don't need to be reminded that there was a deadly shooting at a school similar to their own. It makes complete sense for the K-4 schools not to observe it; the parents should be the ones to talk to their kids first about something like this, not a voice over the intercom. Since the Ryan/Wynn/TMHS observed the moment of silence, I see no problem with how the administration handled the situation. They certainly were not "exceptionally ignorant" and "disrespectful."

I work at an elementary school in another district. We observed a moment of silence. To prepare them, I told my students that we were going to have a moment of silence in a few minutes and that this meant we would be as quiet as we could while we thought about all of the people that we loved. At 9:30, the principal simply announced, "We are now going to observe a moment of silence." When the moment ended, she simply said, "Thank you." Following the moment of silence my students were excited to tell me all of the people from their families that they are thinking of. It was actually very innocent and sweet and on the inside I felt moved to tears. :)

I believe that the actions in Tewksbury were appropriate. We do not need to run the risk of creating anxiety to our children. When one administers a school system such as Tewksbury, decisions have to be made with the perspective of safeguarding the students not satisfying taxpayers.

Raising a child like a mushroom is not the way to teach a child lifes problems. A typical suburban attitute of sweep the problem under the rug but, teach the children how to fire a weapon in case it's necessary. I say fire the sick Dr's behind and hire someone who will not teach our kids to be deer in a headlight.

I totally agree with the comment made by Paul Guttadauro. Another decision made by Tewksbury administration that shows their ignorance. On the night of the Home Coming dance they refused admittance to a number of students who were absent because they were taking college entrance exams also a senior, my granddaughter who has a medical problem that spent the day at the hospital having tests. Apparently they do not allow students in for being absent. Another executive decision. Way to go. I am so glad I have no more grandchildren going to Tewksbury Schools. Ruth Perry

This is a tough one. I understand and support the decision not to participate at the elementary level. I work in an elementray school in another district. We did observe a moment of silence for "peace and kindness in general" nothing specific mentioned. However we did have an all school assembly at that time ( a yearly tradition) so the timing was right. At this age it is best to let it be and not bring ot up in school. (except on an individual basis as needed). I believe that if you spent this past week in a school environment you would agree. Be supportive, pay attention to behavior and emotions, hide your own emotions, routine, routine!! That's what the kiddos need, not reminders.

I AGREE with the decision made by TPS administration / Dr. O'Connor to allow a moment of silence but NOT across the entire school system. Our small ones need the reassurance of a normal routine. We are ALL, including the older children at the Wynn, Ryan and TMHS having a hard enough time dealing with the questions that surround the horrible actions of this unstable person.

As a parent to two children at an elementary school in town I agree with this decision. It is not up to the school to explain this to my 5 year old.

I teach in an urban K-4 school. All week we were asked to "take the pulse" of our class & respond accordingly. We observed the moment of silence "in honor of Sandy Hook." My students did so without a peep/comment. In fact all week they said nothing (to my surprise/relief). Making snowflakes "to cheer up some sad children" later Fri. one child asked if it was for Sandy Hook. I said yes and nothing more. Did I/the school make the best choices? I tried. Most of my students face violence and heartache daily at home. They dread vacation and prefer school as it's the safest place they know. Every day I am responsible not only for their learning but their physical and emotional well-being (not to the exclusion of parents but as another key caretaker). The lives lost absolutely deserve remembrance. But if I want to honor my own students, I need to respect their needs and experiences (as all teachers must). I felt my students needed some holiday magic/innocence to sustain them before vacation. Urban setting or not, maybe we all need that sometime. Schools try to determine & then meet the individual needs of each student balanced against the needs of the group. The admin made a decision it felt best for the majority. This is a heartwrenching event. I am sorry for your personal loss. Yet, I ask you to extend compassion to those of us working every day to make decisions that we aim to be in the best interests of our/your children and respect that our hearts are in the right place.

How do public schools discuss current events? The purpose of school is to talk about the facts, ask questions and think. Participation in a moment of silence is not a school function albeit i don't find it an issue as a supplement. Treating this issue with silence is the real disrespect.

I think it's disgusting you're making a hasty generalization. There are numerous witnesses on this thread that said schools did participate. I also know that Trahan had participated without telling the children the reason for it. Dr. O'Connor did in fact send out an e-mail suggesting that the secondary grades observe. If the principal happened to not make it mandatory, maybe a teacher or even a high school student should have stepped up in their own classroom at the time. Could it be assumed that the teacher was supposed to take it upon him/herself instead of waiting for instruction over the intercom? The clocks are all on the same system... 9:30 could be read at the same time on any chosen clock in the high school.

The high school did not do a moment of silence. But I did stare at that clock, having flash backs of everything I saw on the news about it. And said a prayer in my head.