DIXFIELD — When children arrived at the 10 RSU 10 schools an hour late Monday morning due to travel conditions, their teachers were prepared to assure them that their schools were safe places.

Superintendent Tom Ward issued a memo to all teachers and other staff Sunday about the terrible tragedy in Newtown, Conn., and asked them to conduct a day which was as normal as possible.

In addition, counselors were available for children or staff, if needed, and teachers were asked to refer any child to a counselor if the need arose. He said staff were also asked to provide administration with any ideas they may have to make the school buildings more secure.

By midafternoon Monday, Ward said several ideas had already been sent to him.

In the next few days, each building’s Crisis Team Plan, along with facility and bus security, will be re-evaluated.

He said fewer potential security problems appear in the newer schools, but making older ones more secure is tougher.

“We will look at each individual building,” he said.

In the memo issued to staff, Ward acknowledged the great dedication shown by all in RSU 10.

“I want to thank you for the love and care you show our students daily, and I know you would have responded with the same courage and conviction to protect your students that the Sandy Hook staff did,” he wrote. “We must all work together to make sure this never happens in RSU 10.”

The district includes the towns of Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford and Hanover.