Family Of Teacher Alicia Shanks Sends Thanks To Community For Support

Family of teacher Alicia Shanks sends
thanks to community for support

We want to publicly thank our friends and supporters within the Essex community, in Chittenden County, the state of Vermont, and people across the United States for helping us deal with Alicia's tragic death. Your sympathy and help have overwhelmed us. Thank you for the gifts, food, flowers, hugs, kind words, thoughts and prayers.

Special thanks to the Essex Town School District staff for help in accessing Alicia's classroom and packing her personal belongings. Our thank you to the community includes our friends, the Essex Town School District staff, Essex Town Superintendent's Office and staff, Essex Town School Board, families of Alicia's past and present students, educational professionals throughout the state, Essex and Essex Junction Fire Departments, Essex Rescue, Essex Police Department, Colchester Police Department, Winooski Police Department, Saint Michael's Security staff, Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, Rev. Brian J. Cummings S.S.E., supporting clergy, Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel staff, A.W. Rich Funeral Home staff, Emily and John's past teachers, the Inn at Essex, Cody's Irish Pub & Grill, Joyce's Noodle House, Athena's Day Spa, Essex Discount Beverage, and countless other organizations that are still working with us.

We are amazed at the patience of our friends who waited at least three hours in the rain to comfort us at Alicia's wake. Your presence at Alicia's funeral mass also helped us deal with this whole series of tragic events. We wouldn't have been able to make it through the last two weeks without your support.

We know that Alicia's first concern would be the children. As part of In-Service on the day of her death, Alicia wrote a journal entry that we wanted to share with you all: "Students deserve accountability in their lives. It makes us a better, more responsible society. Education must have accountability." We hope and pray these beliefs come to fruition and truly result in a more responsible society.

Finally, kindly note that no one has been authorized to speak on behalf of the Shanks family but the Shanks family. If we have something to say, then one of us, Steve, Emily or John, will say it.

It seems inadequate to say that we thank you from the very bottom of our beings for your help and support. You have helped us more than you will ever know. We know that Alicia is very proud of all of you.

With great appreciation,
STEVE, EMILY AND JOHN SHANKS
Essex Junction