UPDATE: Local Schools Respond to Connecticut School Shooting

Local school districts reacted immediately to Friday's shooting in Newtown, Conn., with letters to parents assuring them of their students' safety.

"While I am deeply saddened that a school district was the target of such horror, I am confident with the safety and security protocols we have in place in our district," said Dr. Carolyn Kossack, Little Silver superintendent of schools, in a letter to parents Dec. 14.

State statutes requires schools to hold one fire drill and one school security drill each month that school is open, according to Kossack.  

"As you know, for many years we have practiced lockdown and evacuation drills at different times of the year in careful collaboration with the Oceanport Police and Office of Emergency Management," Oceanport Schools Superintendent Andrew Orefice said in a letter to parents Friday.

"We will continue to work closely with local law enforcement and our own staff members in order to make our drills as efficient and safety minded as possible," he added.

Kossack said that the security system in the district's two schools "enables us to keep our facilities locked 24 hours a day." 

Orefice advised parents to "take some time to talk with your child about this horrible situation and help them understand the serious nature of the monthly drills we perform at school. By doing so, we will all become better prepared during our future drills or in the event of an actual emergency. "

Little Silver schools conducted a lockdown drill on Wednesday, according to a Two River alert sent out to parents Dec. 12.

"While I know it is frightening to see news stories of this nature, I want to assure you that we take numerous precautions to assure the safety and security of your children while they are under our care," Kossack said.  

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