Lexington School Committee 'Indescribably Saddened' by Newtown Tragedy

Lexington School Committee Chairwoman Margaret Coppe said Friday that the district was "indescribably saddened" to learn of a mass shooting that claimed the lives of more than 20 at an elementary school in Newtown Conn. Dec. 14.

Coppe also said the schools staff were informed and are preparing to communicate with parents and students when they return to school on Monday.

According to reports, a gunman believed to be the son of a teacher rampaged through Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children and a handful of adults. , according to a Patch report.

In light of the incident, Coppe released the following statement late Friday afternoon:

Today’s mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut has left me, and the entire Lexington School Committee, indescribably saddened and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families.

The Lexington Public Schools staff was quickly informed and began preparing to communicate with parents and with the students when they arrive at school on Monday morning.

Reasonable and prudent security precautions are in place at all schools in Lexington and elementary schools are secured during the school day.

President Barack Obama also addressed the incident earlier today, saying parents across the United States will hug their children a little tighter tonight.

In a press conference this afternoon, Obama said “our hearts are broken” for those that lost loved ones at Sandy Hook Elementary School during a tragedy whose cause and suspected perpetrators remain unclear.

“Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivor as well, as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early,” Obama said.