Schools Step Up Security, Wear Green and White for Sandy Hook Victims

As school resumes on Monday, the citywide parent-teacher organization, Peabody PTC, is asking all students, parents, faculty, staff and the community at-large to wear green and white for the day.

Green and white are the school colors at Sandy Hook Elementary. The local PTO group says it is trying to coordinate a show of support for the bucolic Connecticut town that has now suffered such tragedy.

In related news, the Peabody schools will be joining many other districts in Massachusetts and elsewhere this coming week by stepping up security and safety measures.

Superintendent Joe Mastrocola, in a message released through the district's Connect Ed system Sunday, said there will be an increased police presence around the city's schools for the coming week.

"Monday and next week will be difficult for many parents and staff; however, we want to ensure you we will continue to take safety measures and protocols that are necessary," Mastrocola said.

"I want to assure you that we are working with our administrators to provide information for teachers to prepare them for the opening of school. The administrative team is meeting on Monday to continue [to] review the various school crisis plans and other matters concerning security in our schools," he said.

Mastrocola said vigilance will remain high. At the same time, he also assures parents that proper procedures are already in place to keep students and staff safe -- this is more of an extra precaution.

"We share the feelings of shock and sadness being felt around the country upon hearing the news of the horrific incident in Newtown, Conn.," he said. "This event is especially troubling to those of us who have [the] responsibility for keeping children safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been touched by this tragedy."

"Monday and next week will be difficult for many students, parents and staff, however, now is the time we all need to pull together as a community," he said.

Mastrocola said that starting Monday and lasting throughout the week, school counseling staff at all schools will be available to assist and comfort students.