Candlelight Vigil

Manhattan School for Children
PS 333
154 West 93rd Street
New York, New York 10025
212-222-1450 phone; 212- 222-1828 fax

Susan Rappaport
Principal

September 17, 2001

Dear MSC Parents, Teachers and Staff,

Our deepest condolences go out to everyone in our community who have lost family or friends in last Tuesday's attacks at the WTC and the Pentagon.

In the face of last Tuesday's tragedy we have decided to postpone our first Family Meeting, which was scheduled for Thursday, September 20th. In place of that meeting we will be holding a Candlelight Vigil at school, from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. This is a time when we need to pull together to support one another, to give comfort to and draw strength from each other, to help us to better support and comfort our children who depend on all of us.

We will begin at 6:30, in the auditorium, joined by several neighborhood counselors who have graciously offered us their time and assistance. Dale Ryan, an MSC grandparent and co chair of the Child Program of the New York Freudian Society will be joined by Christopher Kido, Supervisor of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, Nina Koh, M.D., an adult and child psychiatrist with the J.B.F.C.S. and our guidance counselor, Louisa Oviedo. They will spend a few minutes sharing with us what we may be feeling and experiencing as a result of the trauma of last Tuesday's disaster, as well as answering questions and offering advice regarding counseling services and support groups. Afterwards, we will proceed to our schoolyard to hold a Candlelight Vigil in remembrance of those who are lost or missing, in support of our rescue workers who continue to work around the clock and each other.

We will not have childcare for this evening, so you need to make arrangements for your child to be cared for at home. Consider pooling resources with other MSC families.

Sincerely,

Susan and the PTA Executive Board