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Letters Sent Home To Parents of SF Students Regarding Connecticut Tragedy

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Letters discussing the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school were being sent home with all San Francisco public school students Friday.

The district is sending suggestions on how parents discuss this with their children. Superintendant Richard Carranza held a somber afternoon news conference surrounded by the city's crisis team, police, the Department of Public Health, as well as representatives from Mayor Ed Lee's office.

"It is a tragic day for us in public education," Carranza said as he promised parents that students would be safe in school. "We have not cancelled school, we have not asked for children to be picked up early.

Carranza added that he was communicating with administrators at school sites with very specific information about how to support children and families who are processing the tragedy. The letters urge parents to talk with their children if they do have questions, but to do so briefly and not to dwell on the violence.

Deputy Police Chief Jim Dudley commented and wanted to re-affirm San Francisco children's safety to parents.

"We have no reason to believe that there are any problems or incidents in San Francisco at this time, but we're on heightened alert," Dudley said.

In the meantime Mayor Ed Lee issued a statement deploring the carnage and ordered city flags to fly at half staff.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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