St. Isidore students show support for Sandy Hook

Students at St. Isidore Catholic School wore Sandy Hook Elementary School colors Tuesday in an effort to signify their support for victims of the fatal shooting that left 20 kids dead.

Eighth-grader Jessica Hutchinson jump-started the movement after reading about the Connecticut incident online. Her mom told her about the shooting after picking her up from school Friday.

When she heard the news, one thing ran through her mind.

"I thought, it could have been our school," Jessica said.

After going online, Jessica found other schools that were wearing green and white, Sandy Hook's colors, in a show of support. She called her teacher, LaRae Leion, who passed the idea on to Principal Julie Rojo.

Rojo approved the idea. And on Tuesday morning, the school's daily assembly went a little bit differently.

"We are wearing green and white today to remember the school in Connecticut that suffered great loss," Rojo said, as she addressed the school.

A song was played during the meeting, followed by a special prayer and a moment of silence.

Many schools in the Yuba-Sutter area have chosen not to speak to students about the shooting directly, but Rojo said she made the decision because she doesn't want students to feel like talking about it was taboo.

"I think they've been grateful to have that outlet," she said, "and to have teachers and staff that are available to talk to them and help them understand."

Rojo said that St. Isidore's status as a private Catholic school also gives the staff some freedom to talk with the kids about tragedies like Sandy Hook.

St. Isidore student Jack Keeley, 14, was glad his school chose to acknowledge the events at Sandy Hook Elementary, he said.

Jack heard about the shooting Friday night. He was half asleep when his dad came into his room and asked him if he had heard about it.

"He said someone killed 20 kids," Jack said. "I was shocked. I could barely sleep that night."

For the most part, students at St. Isidore aren't talking about the shooting amongst themselves, Jack said, and they still feel safe at school.

Eighth-grader Lauren Smith said she heard about the shooting on the radio and thinks it's great that her school supported Sandy Hook by wearing its colors.

With two sisters in kindergarten, Lauren said St. Isidore's effort on Tuesday was extra special because it reminds her of the ones she loves.

"I don't think I could live without them," she said. "They're the light to my day."

CONTACT Griffin Rogers at grogers@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4783. Find him on Facebook at /ADgriffinrogers or on Twitter at @ADgriffinrogers.