Sandy Hook mother to speak at Burrell High School

Scarlett Lewis, the mother of one of the 26 people killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in 2012, will speak to students at Burrell High School on Friday.

Lewis will share her story of losing her 6-year-old son Jesse and the impact she believes social-emotional learning can have on helping to avoid a similar crisis, according to Carla Roland, assistant principal at Burrell High School.

The presentation is part of the district’s new curriculum focusing on building positive relationships, managing emotions and demonstrating empathy.

“At Burrell, we are taking two pathways for safety,” Roland said. “We have the hardening aspect – the safety procedures, the drills – but we’re also strengthening, and that’s where the social and emotional learning comes in.”