BURLINGTON, Vt. -
The news of the shooting broke as schools in our region were just a couple hours away from letting students out for the weekend.
That left some hurrying to deal with the tragedy before students went home.
"Our immediate reaction was to click into gear and think about schools, our kids," says Jeanne Collins, Burlington School District superintendent.
Collins says staff was on "alert" and she says they worked to make sure kids received help if they need it.
"We're sending communications to parents on over the weekend, how can you talk with your child about a tragedy such as this, that can really shake their world and their safety piece and recognizing it's also shaking the world of the adults," says Collins.
Collins says help is also available to school employees.
Chittenden Central Supervisory Union Associate Superintendent Judith DeNova says they tried to keep a "sense of normalcy," though principals at each school were told about the shooting.
"Ensuring that any student or parent or staff member that needed any support was provided with those supports," says DeNova.
DeNova says help will also be available on Monday.
And in Essex, which was the site of a school shooting six-years ago, DeNova wanted to provide comfort to the community after Friday's tragedy.
"To reassure our families that our schools are safe," says DeNova.
Both districts say they will be meeting next week with police to go over Friday's shooting.
And see what if any changes they need to make to their safety plans.
