Lives were lost - innocence was stolen and on that December day in Connecticut - Mohamed Elmhdati watched his worst fear become a reality for parents of Sandy Hook Elementary students.
"You always wonder when you send your child (to school) is he going to come home that day or not."
Pain and fear gripped the hearts of parents nationwide, especially parents like Mary Widdicombe who has a son in the 5th grade.
"Panic goes through you cause you want to know that your sons or kids are taken care of and that they're safe."
North Fond Du Lac School Superintendent Aaron Sadoff hopes to put parents minds at ease by making sure parents are aware of existing district security polices and asking for their input.
"One thing we've gotten really good at in this past year is how we utilize our door security systems."
Once school starts all entrance doors are locked.
Teachers have to swipe their id badges to enter, but visitors are screened via intercom and surveillance video and then buzzed in.
"Maybe it will make things slower and maybe it won't be as inviting but I think people will feel safer knowing I'm going to be questioned, I'm going to be asked who I am" says Sadoff.
Every school has a School Resource Officer on site who is armed and the schools regularly hold lock down and evacuation drills. The district's full plan is available on its website.
With this knowledge Mohamed says he feels "somewhat secure, at least if something happened you know there is a plan in place. It's not like everyone is running around the school chaotic wondering what to do."
Sadoff wants other parents to feel secure too.
"Tonight what our big objective is, is to let the community know what we've been doing and that we are doing everything we can to keep our kids safe. We will ask them for their input and questions."
In hope's of preventing a Sandy Hook Tragedy from happening here.
