The sixth graders of Sippican School are helping to decorate the new school for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Since the tragic school shooting in Newtown on December 14, schools across the country have joined the National Parent Teacher Association in the decorating effort.

After the holiday break, the Sandy Hook students will return to school in a different building.

The Marion students have been busy cutting out and designing three-dimensional snowflakes with the help of sixth grade teacher Heather Bruneau.

Bruneau said the kids made roughly 50, 18-inch snowflakes, which one student’s parents boxed up and drove to Newtown on Friday.

“They were extremely excited,” Bruneau said. “We made the snowflakes all different colors and everyone had a part.”

Since the tragedy, Bruneau said she has openly discussed what happened with her students.

“They knew everything. It was really hard, but I tried to focus on what the teachers and students did in Newtown to make safe choices,” Bruneau said.

Of the sixth graders, Bruneau said, “They are really empathetic and eager to help people out. I like to give them a vehicle to do that.”