Trumbull's Middlebrook School's 'First Day'

Trumbull's Middlebrook school is starting over, although the year is less than halfway through.

Principal Patricia Frillici said in a letter Monday that students will not be let into the school until 8:20 a.m., following the shooting in Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14.

• "All doors are locked during the school day, with security cameras mounted in strategic locations. There is police presence at Middlebrook during the day, so let your child know they are here as friends to keep us safe.
• "We will continue to practice our safety drills including “stay put” and “lock down” during the week.  Starting on Tuesday, December 18th , the doors will not open until 8:20 a.m., so no child or adult will enter prior to this time in the morning. 
• From 8:20-8:35 a.m. each morning, we will unload our buses out front where students will enter through the front doors.  Students being dropped off by car will be let in starting at 8:20 a.m. through the side drop off doors, which will be locked at 8:35.
• If your child is late, you will need to be buzzed in through the front door.  We are examining our end of dismissal practices and will continue to communicate any changes to you.

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"Please be patient as our goal is to make our school even safer than it is," she said.

She outlined the first day back following the shooting:

"Early this morning, the dedicated staff of Middlebrook came in to start the healing process.  We met as a staff to discuss how to deal with specific students’ questions, as they came up.  The day started with music and a moment of silence for our friends in Newtown.  The teachers acknowledged the tragedy, but did not allow for students to go into details, as we need to respect the rights of all families. Teachers told the students, if they wanted to talk privately they would take them aside.  Our students are very resilient and respectful.

"The younger children are excited about Elf on a Shelf and the coming holidays, while the older children were inquisitive, but respectful.  We made Mrs. Lacko (Social worker) and Mrs. Lee (Psychologist) available to any students that needed assistance. I checked in on the classes often, spent my day moving throughout the halls, and ate in the cafeteria with the students," the principal concluded.

"I feel it is important to let you know how each day goes, so will be sending you notes each day. Know that we care for your child and want to make each day the very best it can be," Frillici said.