Two years ago on December 14 a gunman took the lives of 20 first grade students and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Since that day, parents and families have been performing acts of kindness in remembrance of those who were lost that day. And schools have been working even harder to ensure the safety of their students. You can help.

Acts of Kindness

The 26 Days of Kindness in honor of the victims has been underway since mid-November, but it's never too late to join in. Take your children with you as you do kind acts such as deliver food to any elderly neighbor, bring gifts to children in the hospital, or volunteer at a food kitchen.

Talk to Your Children

Don't take your child's go-to answer of "fine" regarding their day at school as a good enough answer. Talk to him. Ask him questions about his friends, other children in school, and staff members. Make sure that your child feels safe at school — a place where they spend a large amount of time. And if you notice any red flags, talk to your child's school about it.

Encourage Your Children to Say Something

Talk to your child about why it's important to speak up if he sees something or hears something out of the ordinary at a school. If he hears that another student has a weapon or that a student is threatening others, your child needs to know that he must say something and that nothing bad will happen to him if he goes to an adult with the information.

Make the Sandy Hook Promise

Visit sandyhookpromise.org and join over 370,000 people who have taken the Sandy Hook Promise. This promise includes honoring the lives lost by turning the tragedy into a chance of transformation, having conversations about the issues and turn those conversations into action, and protecting and loving our children.

Start a Promise Community

The Sandy Hook Promise offers individuals the opportunity to start a Promise Community that works to raise awareness to help protect children from gun violence in addition to education and implementing tools and programs to engage parents and schools, and to help support policy change.

Protecting our children is our number one priority, but teaching them compassion, kindness, and strength in tough situations is important for their emotional growth and health. This year, use the lives of those lost in the tragedy of Sandy Hook to make a difference in the lives of others, including your children.