Connecticut school officials' plan to get survivors of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting back together at a new school is exactly the right decision, says a youth trauma psychologist.
Authorities announced Monday that the Newtown, Conn., elementary school where 26 people, including 20 children, were gunned down, will be closed "indefinitely," but Sandy Hook students and staff could be back in classes at nearby Chalk Hill School in Monroe, Conn., by this week.
"It's a good idea that kids go back to school as soon as possible and normalize and get ... accustomed to a routine," said psychologist Susan Lipkins. "You want to make it as familiar and easy as possible so the transition is as smooth as possible for teachers, faculty and the children."
Most children do not understand death, they understand that their parents and teachers are upset and draw on those emotions, Lipkins said. She believes it was the right decision to have the students return to classes, especially before the Christmas break, because it will help them adapt to the new situation.
"If they didn't have school this week that really would give the children too much time to get accustomed to being at home ... and it would increase their likelihood of developing phobias," she said.
David Goldman/AP Photo
David Freedman, right, kneels with his son... View Full Size
A Message of Hope from Newtown, Conn. Watch Video
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Lipkins also agreed with the decision to have Sandy Hook remain permanently closed because going back to the scene of the massacre would have been "too traumatic" for everyone.
"I think that the scene is too extreme and that it would be very hard to erase the memories," Lipkins said. "It's really good for everybody to have their normal routine but to have those physical manifestations would make it probably more stressful."
Police say Adam Lanza, 20, forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary on Friday, spraying bullets on students and faculty. Lanza killed 20 children and six adults before turning the gun on himself.
CLICK HERE for complete coverage of the tragedy at Sandy Hook.
Immediately after the shooting, Newtown officials began to consult therapists from Yale University's Child Study Center to help plan the next steps for the children.
Moving trucks were seen outside Sandy Hook Elementary Monday morning, as school officials prepared to move furniture and supplies to Chalk Hill School.
Formerly a junior high school, Chalk Hill has not hosted students for at least a year. It is currently being used for Monroe's emergency medical services and recreational departments, but the building is also outfitted with a day care center.
Monroe Fire Marshall William Davin said Monday that nearly 100 volunteers and contractors had been working since early Monday morning to the make necessary repairs to Chalk Hill, including checking fire alarms, outfitting toilets for youngsters and "preparing the classrooms to make the school feel as normal as possible."
Davin said the school could be ready "in a matter of days," but the Board of Education has not set a date for resumption of classes.
How to Help Sandy Hook Victims' Families and Communities
While the next chapter for Sandy Hook will be in a new facility, other schools that have experienced the pain and grief of a mass shooting eventually reopened.
It took nearly four months for Columbine High School to reopen after seniors Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, went on a deadly shooting rampage that killed 12 of their fellow classmates and a teacher, and wounded 23 others, before committing suicide.
Authorities announced Monday that the Newtown, Conn., elementary school where 26 people, including 20 children, were gunned down, will be closed "indefinitely," but Sandy Hook students and staff could be back in classes at nearby Chalk Hill School in Monroe, Conn., by this week.
"It's a good idea that kids go back to school as soon as possible and normalize and get ... accustomed to a routine," said psychologist Susan Lipkins. "You want to make it as familiar and easy as possible so the transition is as smooth as possible for teachers, faculty and the children."
Most children do not understand death, they understand that their parents and teachers are upset and draw on those emotions, Lipkins said. She believes it was the right decision to have the students return to classes, especially before the Christmas break, because it will help them adapt to the new situation.
"If they didn't have school this week that really would give the children too much time to get accustomed to being at home ... and it would increase their likelihood of developing phobias," she said.
David Goldman/AP Photo
David Freedman, right, kneels with his son... View Full Size
A Message of Hope from Newtown, Conn. Watch Video
The Reality of Raising a Troubled Child Watch Video
President Obama Pledges Action to Prevent More Tragedies Watch Video
Lipkins also agreed with the decision to have Sandy Hook remain permanently closed because going back to the scene of the massacre would have been "too traumatic" for everyone.
"I think that the scene is too extreme and that it would be very hard to erase the memories," Lipkins said. "It's really good for everybody to have their normal routine but to have those physical manifestations would make it probably more stressful."
Police say Adam Lanza, 20, forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary on Friday, spraying bullets on students and faculty. Lanza killed 20 children and six adults before turning the gun on himself.
CLICK HERE for complete coverage of the tragedy at Sandy Hook.
Immediately after the shooting, Newtown officials began to consult therapists from Yale University's Child Study Center to help plan the next steps for the children.
Moving trucks were seen outside Sandy Hook Elementary Monday morning, as school officials prepared to move furniture and supplies to Chalk Hill School.
Formerly a junior high school, Chalk Hill has not hosted students for at least a year. It is currently being used for Monroe's emergency medical services and recreational departments, but the building is also outfitted with a day care center.
Monroe Fire Marshall William Davin said Monday that nearly 100 volunteers and contractors had been working since early Monday morning to the make necessary repairs to Chalk Hill, including checking fire alarms, outfitting toilets for youngsters and "preparing the classrooms to make the school feel as normal as possible."
Davin said the school could be ready "in a matter of days," but the Board of Education has not set a date for resumption of classes.
How to Help Sandy Hook Victims' Families and Communities
While the next chapter for Sandy Hook will be in a new facility, other schools that have experienced the pain and grief of a mass shooting eventually reopened.
It took nearly four months for Columbine High School to reopen after seniors Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, went on a deadly shooting rampage that killed 12 of their fellow classmates and a teacher, and wounded 23 others, before committing suicide.