Katie Herlihy’s 8-year-old daughter heard the news like so many others Tuesday.

Nineteen children and two teachers were killed inside a Texas elementary school at the hands of an 18-year-old gunman.

Right away, the Panther Valley second-grader began trying to comprehend why.

“She asked if I thought it would happen at her school,” Herlihy said. “I hugged her and made sure I told her it would be OK, but I couldn’t lie. I said it could.”

The day after a tragedy such as Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary in Texas can spark difficult conversations for parents, teachers and school administrators. Local school officials said Wednesday that while security and identifying areas of concern among students will be under an intensified microscope over the coming weeks, vigilance is of the utmost priority every day.

“It’s not just the day after, it’s every day that our folks are trained here to observe all of the extra things going on in a child’s life, no matter what they are,” Jack Corby, Lehighton Area School District acting superintendent said. “The goal is always to pick up on the little things that may be bothering someone and then react accordingly, which includes getting them the attention they need to help them along the way.”

According to the Texas Department for Public Safety, the gunman, who is dead, shot his grandmother following an argument earlier in the day and then barricaded himself inside the elementary classroom. Authorities said the grandmother is hospitalized and in critical condition. Police said a number of students were also wounded, but a definite count has yet to be released.

School officials said districts have to be sensitive with how far they take discussions about events such as the one in Texas with students.

“These conversations change from grade level to grade level and unfortunately this isn’t the first time, nor does it seem like it will be the last, that teachers will be faced with having these difficult discussions,” Ralph Andrews, S.S. Palmer Elementary principal said. “Although we stress that these incidents are isolated, we can’t ignore the fear and concern of our students.”

Corby said Lehighton plans to work in unison with its parents to “explain the situation and make sure all students feel safe.”

Kayla Heckman did just that, broaching the topic with her 13-year-old son.

“We often talk about mental health and how the world is full of evil, but also so much beauty,” Heckman said. “We also discussed how important it is when we see something that seems out of the normal, whether it be behavior wise or social media posts, to never hesitate speaking up or contacting an authority. It’s a scary world that we live in and we just need to keep loving on our children and guide them to be bright lights in the darkness, and to bring change with the next generation.”

Along those lines, Lehighton and other districts continue to promote the Safe2Say program, where anyone can anonymously report a tip via the smartphone app or by calling 1-844-723-2729.

“We stress and I know in our schools we stressed again today, if you see something or if you hear something, let somebody know,” Corby said. “That’s a very big thing. The bottom line is that the safety and security of our students, our staff, and our community members when they’re visiting here is number one. It has risen to the top and it has to be that way.”

At neighboring Jim Thorpe Area School District, Superintendent John Rushefski spoke of ALICE active shooter training for staff members and active shooter, lockdown, and evacuation drills that students practice each year.

“Coming to school today following the Uvalde, Texas, tragedy is extremely difficult,” Rushefski said. “We know that these life and death situations have an effect on all of us, especially our students. We want our schools to be a positive learning environment that is a safe haven to allow students to learn and have the most normal school experience, if that is possible.”

In a call to parents, Northern Lehigh Superintendent Matthew Link spoke of his “anger and sadness” when hearing about yet another school shooting.

“Talking to children about violence, particularly in schools, can be upsetting and confusing for some children, no matter their age,” Link said. “They will often look to parents/guardians, teachers, and other adults regarding how to react. Parents/guardians and school employees can help by establishing a sense of security and support by talking with them about their fears.”

Northern Lehigh, he said, has made significant safety and security upgrades to its buildings and procedures.

“Our staff and students practice safety drills regularly, and our campuses are protected by two police officers charged with maintaining the safety of students, employees, and visitors,” Link said. “Additionally, we have strong working relationships with our local first responders such as Slatington Police Department, Walnutport Police Department, and the state police as well as the local fire departments and paramedic units. They have all assisted us in reviewing and revising our emergency operation plan over the last year.”

Almost all local school districts have added police officers within their buildings over the last decade. The training that goes along with that, Andrews said, is always evolving.

“This is why we take the time to train our staff and practice with our students for emergencies like the one at Robb Elementary yesterday,” he added. “We’ve added additional layers of security and precautions over the years and continue to evaluate our procedures to protect our students and staff to the best of our ability.”

Terry Ahner contributed to this report.