Schools in all three Old Rochester Regional district towns will have additional police presence Wednesday, May 25 in the wake of the school shooting Tuesday, May 24 in Uvalde, Texas, Superintendent of Schools Michael S. Nelson said Tuesday.

In a letter to the school community, Nelson described the shooting, which killed 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School, as a “tragic and incomprehensible act of violence’’ and wrote that “it is heart-wrenching to think about what has happened in their community and the unnecessary loss of innocent lives that has occurred.

“Our thoughts are with Texas and the impacted families who have been   devastated by this senseless tragedy,’’ he wrote.

He said that as a superintendent and a parent of school-aged chldren, he knows that “these types of events add a tremendous amount of anxiety for all of us.’’

The superintendent reassured parents that “we continue to prioritize the safety of all individuals in our school buildings, students, faculty and staff. By adhering to our security protocols and training, utilizing our strong partnerships with the local police departments and first responders and following our emergency preparedness plans, we prepare for all scenarios to the best of our abilities. ‘’

Nelson encouraged parents to have “honest, age-appropriate conversations with your kids,’’ nothing that children have “worries and questions.’’

Counselors, social workers and school psychologists are available to provide therapeutic support to anyone in need, he wrote.

He encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to their child’s building principal or Nelson’s office. 

The following resources were recommended to help families talk to their children in the aftermath of the shooting. 

American Psychological Association for useful and practical help: www.apa.org/topics/violence/school-shooting.aspx

 National Association of School Psychologists (NASP):  https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and- teachers.