I talked with my third-grader about it because experience has shown that she may be told about these things at school. I was blindsided last year by a class unit on 9/11. I have learned. The day of Sandy Hook, my PRESCHOOLER had an all-school holiday concert (his school is preK-8) and they talked about it to the entire crowd at the concert. I had anticipated this and talked to DD8 ahead of time. I don't agree that schools should take this role at this age, but it's reality. I do NOT let my kids (9 and 5) watch TV news coverage of these events at this point, though.