Jennifer Laviano
This guest column was originally a blog post by Sherman attorney Jennifer Laviano, whose practice focuses on special education. It is reprinted with permission.
Newtown, Connecticut. It's where I visited my aunt and uncle when I was a little girl. It's where I took my niece to see March of the Penguins when I was pregnant with my first child. I drive through Newtown several times a week. I have eaten in its restaurants. I've shopped in its stores. I've represented many of its children.
It shouldn't be.
A rare in-office Friday, packed with phone calls. My cell starts going off with texts and voicemail. My sisters. My mom. "Tell me you're not in an IEP meeting in Newtown today!" Not today. Why? Shootings. At an elementary school. In Newtown. My brain goes into overdrive. Newtown cases, where are those kids. Which schools? Which elementary schools? Does it matter? Siblings. Friends. Neighbors. Innocents.
It shouldn't be.
My assistant and I start to cry. We talk to family. We search the Internet for news, or something like it. The call comes from my daughter's school. She is 6. They are on heightened alert, a State Trooper outside, doors locked. all safe, no outside recess today. All schools in the area are doing the same in case there's another shooter on the loose. A shooter who might be targeting elementary schools.
It shouldn't be.
The news is initially conflicting. "The target appears to be the principal." Then "a shooter with connections to the school." My mind races. Sadly, I've seen more anger and volatility in school districts than you can imagine among so many of the possible people "with connections to the school." Nightmare scenarios abound.
It shouldn't be.
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