AURORA | Months after violence and tragedy struck in Aurora, officials from the city’s two public school districts are once again offering guidelines to parents about discussing a seemingly unspeakable topic.

In the week following the shootings in Newtown, Conn., officials from both the Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek Schools districts have posted tips about discussing the shootings with students of all ages.

“Staff should be sensitive and receptive to students who want to talk about what happened in Connecticut,” Cherry Creek Superintendent Mary Chesley wrote in a message posted on the district’s website. “Teachers will need to use their best judgment about the right time and place to do so and what language to use, based on the student’s age, emotional state and developmental level. When in doubt, adults should seek guidance from their principal and/or mental health staff.”

APS Superintendent John Barry repeated many of the same words he’d offered during press conferences and community meetings in the days following the July 20 shootings at the Century Aurora 16 theater.

“Although this is an isolated event that happened far away from Aurora Public Schools, news of this nature — especially in light of the summer tragedy in our city — may be disturbing for students and families,” Barry wrote in a message posted on the district’s website this week. “We want to reassure students, parents and our community that our staff members are committed to keeping our schools safe and providing our students with the best education possible.”

While neither district announced any sweeping changes to current security policy, officials from both APS and Cherry Creek have hinted that the coming weeks may see a “heightened alert” level at elementary, middle and high schools. At Central High School, for example, students will be required to wear their IDs on their clothes “above the waist” and “in plain view.” According to the school website, “Any student not wearing their student ID will be sent home immediately.” In her message to the district, Chesley announced similar measures at schools across the district.

“We don’t have any lockdowns,” said Cherry Creek spokeswoman Tustin Amole. “(We were) notified by the Aurora Police that they plan to have a heightened presence at all of our schools in Aurora.”

Reach reporter Adam Goldstein at agoldstein@aurorasentinel.com or 720-449-9707