Tragedies like the one that occurred in Newtown, Conn. tend to make our world a little smaller, sending waves of grief through cities and towns all across the country. Indeed, Sandy Hook Elementary School is nearly 3,000 miles from Irvine, yet the shock and sadness continues to grip our own community. Some families may be looking for ways to discuss these devastating events at home, while others may merely be searching for the words to respond to questions. While no answers will ever suffice to explain this horrible violence, the Orange County Department of Education does offer some valuable resources for parents and educators. On the OCDE’s “Coping with Tragedy” webpage, you’ll find a number of informational links, including strategies to help parents deal effectively with children's reactions to a crisis situation, as well as tips for talking to kids about tough news stories. There are also sections on bullying, the financial crisis and the threat of terrorism. We encourage you to take a look, and check back with us in the next day or so for information about an upcoming community meeting on this topic. [UPDATE: The Irvine Town Hall Meeting for School Safety has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19 in the theater at Irvine High School. Click here for details.]