I agree the flag being lowered is appropriate.
I would have preferred the principal be more evasive on his answer to my son's question, however. A simple, "In memory of some people who are hurting." or even, "Ask your parents when you get home." would have been better, imo.
Honestly, my real concern is a possible accumulation of comments to DS about any tragedies...past or in the future. I don't want my son to ask the principal every time he sees the flag lowered, "What happened now?" For example, I don't want the principal to speak to him about the fertilizer plant explosion in Texas.
That's our responsibility to explain or not as how we see fit. At least at the age he is now.
