Silence for Sandy Hook

Back after a Hiatus... for a Good Reason

I know it has been forever since I posted anything here on Picture Book Lesson. I have been on a hiatus since I got my first full-time teaching job and have had to put all my energy into my own classroom. But after the events at Sandy Hook Elementary yesterday, I feel it necessary to come out of hiding to make a very important point and to inform you of a tribute happening tomorrow.

Whenever I hear about horrible tragedies, I always have two questions:

1) Why did this happen? (Something we may never be able to know in this situation.)
2) What can I do to help?

I don't think there is anything huge I can do to help. But if I can do a little bit of good, then at least that's something. I want to do two things in this post.

"We can never go back and change what has been done. 

But we can always learn the lesson to make things better next time."

Teachers, make sure you know your school's emergency procedures, leave them in instructions for a sub if you need to be out, and seriously participate in your school's drills. I know it's all a pain, but what I saw in the reports coming out of Sandy Hook was that the teachers there knew them and were able to save many children because they knew those procedures.

Something else you can do to "help" if you are a fellow blogger, is to join in a silent tribute tomorrow. Thank you to Meghan Farley of Oh Boy Fourth Grade for coming up with the idea. All you need to do to join is to grab this button designed by Michelle at 3AM Teacher and place it on your blog Sunday, December 16, 2012. Only post the picture and title your post "Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary." Let's all unite and show those affected how much we care.