Counseling available for RI students

(WPRI) -- With Friday's tragedy in Newtown, Conn. fresh on everyone's minds, many Rhode Island schools prepared for students to return to class.

In some districts, there was a visible police presence. Other school systems, like Bristol-Warren, contacted parents over the weekend with automated calls or letters, promising to review school security.

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"They're going to review the protocols again but it doesn't alleviate my fear," said Andrea Escalera Concepcion, a parent.

State officials said schools have plans in place to lock down their classrooms if the worst could ever happen in Rhode Island.

"The classroom is locked. No one leaves the classroom. Any children that are in the hallway go to the nearest classroom. Those doors are locked, the teacher and children are to get inside while down toward the floor and stay there until they hear other wise," explained Deborah Gist, Rhode Island Education Commissioner.

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Schools in Rhode Island are required to hold lock down drills twice a year.