Milford Schools to Observe Silence, Address Student Concerns following Marathon Bombings

Milford Schools reopened Monday, a week after the bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, and three days after one of two suspects was captured in Watertown.

The events of the last week will most likely come up in classrooms, said Superintendent Robert Tremblay, because students will begin to talk about what they have seen and heard.

When this happens, he said, teachers should address the events in factual, but appropriate, ways for the age of the students.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he said, he observed children in Kindergarten classrooms playing with objects that mimicked planes crashing into buildings. Even if teachers don't bring up the Marathon bombings, he said, the children will do that. "They're bringing it in themselves," Tremblay said. "Teachers need to be ready to deal with that."

Tremblay said he expects teachers will focus on the positive aspects that followed the bombings, including the communities pulling together and people helping the injured. "I wouldn't encourage teachers to dismiss it. It's a teachable moment."

The state will hold a moment of silence at 2:50 p.m. Monday to remember the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, but this time comes after dismissal for Milford High School, and mid-dismissal for other schools, Tremblay said.

As a result, he's asked principals to hold a moment of silence today for the victims at a time that makes sense for their buildings.

In an email he sent to Milford principals early Monday, and sent as copies to assistant principals, he encouraged building leaders to make counselors available to either staff or students who need to speak to someone about the bombings.

All of the schools have more than one counselor available, he said.