Auburn High School students and staff took time out of each school day to honor and remember the precious lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

“It is important for our students to be able to express their feelings of sadness and grief,” said Principal Richard Zimmerman.

With the help of Auburn High’s leadership classes, Zimmerman organized three ways in three days for students and staff to show their support and honor the lives lost on Dec. 14.

On Monday, Zimmerman dedicated morning announcements to the victims and their families. The entire school observed a moment of silence. Then during all three lunches, students and staff expressed personal words of sympathy on a large handmade banner with the words, “You are in our hearts,” extending from end to end.

Tuesday was declared “Green and White Day.” Students and staff showed their support for the Newtown community by wearing the school colors of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

On Wednesday, students and staff had another opportunity to sign the sympathy banner. Zimmerman will send the banner along with a letter to the superintendent of Spring Lake Park District 16 on behalf of Auburn students and staff.

“It may not be a large amount of money or gifts we are sending,” Zimmerman said, “but what we are sending is truly from our hearts.”