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Can Trauma Be Healed Through Design?

Flickr photo/ travellingzenwolf

Last week, a task force made up of elected officials prepared to make the final decision on what to do with Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. They agreed they had to do something. After all, the building was full of the memories of the students killed there in December. But should they remodel it? Tear it down and build somewhere else?

For now, the students are crammed into other schools. But economic reality and the school district's space limitations have forced them to face the painful fact: Something had to be done with Sandy Hook.

In a packed meeting, parents, teachers and staff gave emotional testimony. In the end, the task force put off the decision. You just can't rush these things.

Sharing Advice

After the death of a loved one, many of us face the painful drudgery of picking up the pieces of a life. We arrange funerals. We read through the will. Sometimes, friends offer sympathy and advice -- and this helps.

This is also happening with Sandy Hook. Some of the other school administrators who've lived through shootings have stepped forward, to offer their experiences. They've shown that people can get through this, it just takes time. And it doesn't hurt to have a good architect.

Full list of stories from KUOW Presents, Thursday, May 9:

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