(The following letter was sent to parents of the Farmingdale School district on April 28, and is printed here at the writer's request.)

The tragedy in Colorado must move us to reflection and action. In the first hours after hearing of the violent happening in yet another school I, like many of you, sought simple explanations. This last week of analysis, discussion and anxiety have shown us that answers were not simple. It has also shown us that the work of prevention is long, difficult and requires the participation of everyone in a community. Please know that all of us in the school district have increased our vigilance, and will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead. In a school setting, we always look at two distinct issues. The first is providing for the safety and security of all of the children in our care. We have completed emergency preparedness plans in the past and are reviewing them now to see what improvements we can identify. The second issue, which is an ongoing concern for us, is identifying the students in need of emotional support and the development of skills to manage anger and frustration. Our administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and all who work for the school system have been meeting and will continue to meet to discuss better ways to identify students in need and provide them appropriate support.

The Farmingdale School District has enjoyed a positive working relationship with the police departments in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. This week, administrators will be meeting with police officials in the 8th Precinct in Nassau and will follow up with the 1st Precinct in Suffolk to explore areas where we might improve our mutual efforts. We know that our efforts here, as in all areas, need to be a process of continuous improvement.

It is our obligation to set up plans for controlling student behavior and for punishing misbehavior. We have regularly administered appropriate punishment for student fighting, vandalism and most especially the presence of any weapons on school property. All of the latter incidents have resulted in Superintendent's Hearings and lengthy removals from school. We will continue to be vigilant in all areas of student behavior including the time when students threaten violence.

When tragedy occurs, it surely reminds us to increase our efforts at prevention, but it should also remind us of the positive things we can do to support young people. The school district provides many activities of a sports and recreational nature and we support all of the other volunteer programs which exist in our community. A troubled child needs the support and encouragement of an understanding adult. Those adults may be a parent, a teacher, or a counselor, but they also may be a coach, a Scout leader, a religious leader or some other adult willing and able to mentor a young person. We hope that as an entire community we can reach out to each other in new and better ways to provide support and encouragement for all our children. All of us associated with the Farmingdale schools promise you continued and increased vigilance on behalf of all of your children and offer you the hand of cooperation in providing support for all community efforts.

George W. Dempsey, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools