For Parents

Support Sandy Hook PTA & Share School Safety Resources

On Friday, December 14, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., experienced a violent shooting that resulted in nearly 30 deaths. National PTA® President Betsy Landers issued a statement that same day to express her sympathy for the students, families and communities affected by the horrendous tragedy. School and child safety is one of PTA’s core tenets as it is crucial to effective learning. National PTA® believes the protection of children in all school settings is a fundamental right and has made this the utmost priority for our work and advocacy.

Update on Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

In the weeks leading up to the opening of Sandy Hook Elementary School at Chalk Hill, many schools and PTAs asked, "What can we do?" In response, the Connecticut PTSA sent out a call for "Snowflakes for Sandy Hook." The thought was that students and teachers across the country could make and send snowflakes to decorate the halls of our new building.

The response has far exceeded those expectations. We have received more than a million snowflakes of all shapes, sizes and forms from schools, PTAs, community centers, and families around the world. Sandy Hook has been the recipient of a blizzard of support, and while we can no longer accept any additional snowflakes, we couldn't be more thankful for everyone's good wishes. You can see and read more in this piece from the CBS Evening News.

Ways to Help the Sandy Hook Community

Connecticut PTSA Sandy Hook Fund

The Connecticut PTSA has established a fund to support Sandy Hook Elementary School. All monies collected through the Connecticut PTSA Sandy Hook Fund will the used by the Sandy Hook Elementary School PTA to enhance the lives and learning of students through classroom and community based programs, resources, and enrichment. The PTA must abide by its tax-exempt purpose, as approved by the Internal Revenue Service, to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

Please send all donations to:
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

Project Eagle

For those of you who would like to do more to honor the memory of our students and staff, Sandy Hook is encouraging schools to consider adopting Sandy Hook Elementary School's Project Eagle community service effort and adapting it locally. Project Eagle is a group that was formed in 2011 under the direction of Principal Dawn Hochsprung with the goal of finding ways for elementary school students to engage in service efforts that help those in need, especially children.

Together, this group of students and parents has embraced initiatives—including a book drive to replenish classroom shelves, the creation of original works of art for the children's wing of a local hospital, Earth Day recycling drives, a Lego collection for a family counseling center, a concert for residents of a senior center, holiday gifts for a local women's shelter, and a pajama drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy. You can read more about Project Eagle on the Sandy Hook Elementary School website.

For questions please email us at sandyhookpta@gmail.com. or call CT PTSA at (203) 281-6617.

The Newtown community has requested only monetary donations at this time. To donate goods and services please call (855) 364-6600 or email assistnewtown@gmail.com. A staff of volunteers will organize and catalog offers of help.

Resources on School Violence

NOTE: All monies collected through the Sandy Hook Fund will the used by the PTA to enhance the lives of every child through school and community programs and enrichment. These funds will not be disbursed to the individual families affected by this tragedy. The PTA must abide by its tax-exempt purpose, as approved by the Internal Revenue Service, to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.