Back to School and Seeking Back to Normal

Swampscott schools will have counselors, nurses, psychologists and administrators available to listen to students and teachers, and to answer their questions in the aftermath of the violence in Boston last week.

The schools will strive for normalcy and to provide for their students' well being, Superintendent Lynne Celli said on Sunday.

Students and teachers are returning to school after a week of spring vacation.

Both the superintendent and School Committee Chairman Larry Beaupre said that emotional reckoning has taken place among family members over the last week.

In living rooms, in cars, at tables, many parents and children have, or begun to, come to terms with the reality that the tragic events were so close to home.

Another piece of the emotional reckoning is the different ways which people have been touched by the events, the superintendent and committee chairman said.

Some people may be runners or very familiar with the places where the violence took place or know people who were hurt.

Many people were watching the marathon when the explosions took place.

In any event the school officials are confident administrators, staff and teachers will handle tomorrow and the days to come appropriately.

In classrooms, teachers can respond to their students questions and deal with the events of the past week in a way they think is best, said the School Committee chairman.

For individuals who need help, it will be there.

"The gist of it is that we will have counseling available for children who need it," the chairman said.

In December after the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut schools in Swampscott had similar resources in place.

The superintendent conferred with fellow school officials late last week in preparation for the students' return to school after vacation.

A notice from the superintendent is going out to parents today. 

The notice expresses sadness over the marathon tragedy, recognizes how close to home the violence was and assures the parents that resources are in place to help anyone in the school community who needs help.

It also links to helpful websites.

And it states that school safety is primary.

"We continue to focus our thoughts to the safety and security of our nation, our state, as well as our own community. The safety of all in the Swampscott Public Schools is as always our top priority. We will continue to review our security procedures to assure a safe learning environment for all, and once again we request the community’s assistance by following the procedures that are in place and reporting any safety concerns to building administrators.

Together we can work for a safe school community for all."