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As students returned to school this week, Alvarez said faculty and staff at all districts “did their best to promote a sense of business as usual.” However, school psychologists are being made available in all buildings as needed by students and parents in the wake of the tragedy that occurred just 55 miles away from Rye.
“The level of professionalism on the part of district personnel is commendable, while your trust in us is appreciated,” Alvarez wrote in a letter to parents Monday.
While all of the district’s emergency management procedures are being reviewed, Alvarez recommended parents and students send all concerns and suggestions via email at feedback@ryschools.org. Community comments will be taken under consideration during collective discussions with city and school leaders.
Alvarez said he has been in communication since the weekend with Rye Police Department Commissioner William Conners and Board of Education members. On Tuesday, he met with Parent Teacher Organization leaders, principals and other members of the school community.
Before students went back to school, hundreds of Rye residents descended upon the Village Green for a vigil Sunday night led by Mayor Doug French in honor of the 26 victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. “A piece of us was lost on Friday when we all got the news, and when we look at the pictures and see that it’s a small town like Rye, I think that everybody around town felt that we had to do something collectively to come together,” said French during the ceremony.
A canvas banner has been set up at Rye City Hall for people to leave messages and sentiments for families of the shooting victims and residents of Newtown, Conn. Residents can feel free to add to the banner before it is mailed out on Friday. Rye City Hall is located at 1051 Boston Post Road, Rye.
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