Parents, Superintendent React To Connecticut Shooting - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

More than two dozen are killed in Connecticut today after a mass school shooting at an elementary school.

This morning 20 year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed at least 27 people, at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown Connecticut.

Among the 27 dead are 18 children, as well as Lanza's own mother, who was a teacher at the school.

Jon Berg talked with local parents and the Superintendent of Bismarck Public Schools about this tragic news.

<<"Heartbreaking to think about what's going on today, in that community that lost those children, it's unimaginable," Uselman said.

The tragedy in Connecticut is tough to swallow for the Superintendent of schools, and for parents.

Thousands of kids walk through the doors of Bismarck Public Schools everyday, ready to learn, Uselman says Safety is always the top priority.

"We know parents want their kids to have a good academic experience, but we know even more than that, they want them to come home at the end of the day," Tamara Uselman said.

"It was horrible to hear about it, I heard about it when I was at work and I also work at an Elementary School, so it will be nice to pick up my kids and head home for the day," Michelle Zimney said.

"It just tears you, tears you apart to see that happen, such innocent kids, you just want to cry for all the innocent kids and family," Mary Eriksmoen said.

Currently all the doors at school buildings in the district are locked, except for the main entrances.

Uselman says there's been discussion in the past about locking all doors including the main entrance.

"I don't know how wise that is, because if the shooter happens to be someone within the school building, then what you've done is locked out law enforcement," Uselman said.

While the district will continue to make safety the top priority, parents and grandparents are just happy to take their kids home.

"I'm thankful to pick up my grand kids, I wish I could pick them all up," Eriksmoen said.>>

Uselman said teachers and staff did not notify students about the news because they didn't want to put kids in panic.

She says families can take the time and talk about it with their kids at home.

The Bismarck School District has tips to help talk with your kids about the tragedy on their website.