At 8:30 a.m. today, Principal John Dodig spoke over the intercom to Staples students about the Sandy Hook shooting that killed 20 elementary school students and 7 adults.

“It touched my heart and made me feel like Staples is now going to be a safer place,” said Annie Kessler ‘13.

Many students echoed Kessler’s belief, having positive thoughts towards Dodig’s address to the students during period two. The speech included sentiment and emotion, as Dodig described his love for his own grandchildren and his students.

The speech included details about Staples’s safety protocols and reminders to be wary of letting unknown people into school.

“I think it was good to remind students that we have a safety plan,” said social studies teacher Daniel Heaphy. “I like that he stressed that we’ll continue as a strong school community to remind us of our community links.”

Dodig emailed all parents of Staples students Sunday night alerting them of Monday’s speech and urging them to continue the dialogue at home, along with asking them to make sure students came to school on time Monday so they could hear the speech. He also mentioned that guidance counselors offered their services to those in Newtown throughout the weekend.

“I thought [the speech] was very intriguing and really captured the people’s emotions,” said Max Bibicoff ‘16.

After the speech, students continued to discuss the address and the Sandy Hook tragedy with their classes and throughout the school during free periods and passing times.

A transcript of the speech is expected to be emailed to all parents later Monday night.