By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Students at Riverchase and Helena middle schools recently showed their support for those affected by the fatal shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

During the week leading up to the Christmas break, the RMS and HMS students made paper snowflakes to mail to Chalk Hill Middle School in Monroe, Conn.

Students from Sandy Hook Elementary School will be housed in Chalk Hill Middle when they return from their Christmas break after a gunman opened fire in Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14, killing several students and teachers.

The Connecticut Parent-Teacher Association organized the national “Snowflakes for Sandy Hook” project after the shooting to ensure students “are welcomed back to a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible.

Students from across the nation mailed snowflakes to Connecticut to hang from the ceilings at Chalk Hill.

“What a great way to enjoy an activity with your child and bring joy to the students at Sandy Hook Elementary,” HMS Principal Scott Knight wrote in an email to parents, encouraging them to work with their children to make the snowflakes.

After making the snowflakes, the schools mailed them to Connecticut on Dec. 22.

Anyone wishing to make and mail snowflakes to those affected by the shooting can mail them to the Connecticut PTSA at 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, Conn., 06514.