'A Teachable Moment': Fairfield Schools Respond To Capitol Riot

FAIRFIELD, CT — After a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol this week, Fairfield teachers and students are considering how they can learn from and process the historic event.

Supporters of President Donald Trump entered the Capitol, suspending Wednesday's proceedings to confirm Joe Biden as the country’s next president in an act of insurrection now connected to more than 80 arrests and five deaths.

“This is clearly a teachable moment and we are letting student questions and needs lead how we respond in age-appropriate ways across the district,” Andrea Clark, director of communications for Fairfield Public Schools, said in an email.

READ MORE: Capitol Chaos 'Sickening And Illegal': Fairfield Leaders React

The school district allowed time for staff discussion and reflection Thursday morning, and provided teachers with guidance to facilitate conversations with students based on resources from the National Education Association, according to Clark.

“We expect that conversations with students will be ongoing,” Clark said.

In the wake of the riot, national political leaders have called for the invocation of the 25th Amendment or impeachment to potentially remove Trump from office.

Before the siege Wednesday, Trump told thousands of supporters gathered on the National Mall that he would never concede the election and invited the crowd to march to the Capitol. Once there, they broke windows, vandalized property and forced Congress to take a recess.

About 4 a.m. Thursday, Biden's win was certified.