Safe and Sound Schools program designed to help keep students safe

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) - Going back to school is all about getting back into a routine, but one mother here in Massachusetts knows that routine can change in an instant. Michele gay, who previously lived in Newtown, Conn. lived through the unthinkable when she lost her first grader in the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Josephine Grace Gay loved everything about school.

"Just as excited as her sisters really about gathering the school supplies and getting back to friends and teachers,” Michele said.

On a Friday morning in December, 2012 the place she loved so much became the scene of unimaginable heartbreak.

During the haunting moments before learning her daughter was one of 20 children killed, Michele Gay had the sickening realization that the security in place at Sandy Hook was not secure enough.

"I didn't understand the magnitude of what had happened that day but it occurred to me it was the security and safety issue. How could it be that someone with that level of harmful intent just gain entry to our school,” she said.

Michele, who now lives in Massachusetts, has been working on a project that pushes parents to get more involved with school safety.

"These are all locations that are perceived as soft targets and it's time for us to be rethinking that unfortunately," she said.
Michele is launching a new website for her initiative, Safe and Sound Schools. It's a one stop source where parents can get details about school safety plans and programs.

"They don't have to be afraid, afraid of this horrible nightmare scenario. Instead they can be empowered. They can know their options. They can know their procedures. They can know what tools and resources are available to them no matter what comes,” Gay said.

Michele, working with other parents touched by the shooting, has toured the country talking to security and child safety experts. She says the Safe and Sound program tries to change the mindset of how people think about school safety.

“Accepting the fact that this is not a safe world, this is not a perfect world but there is a lot we can do to be empowered to enhance the safety of ourselves and our children,” she said.

While her daughter may be gone, Michele says the first grader is still touching lives.

"I have this real strong sense that it's important to her. That what happened to her doesn't happen to others,” she said.

For Information on Michele's mission to keep schools safe, visit: www.safeandsoundschools.org.

Cox Media Group