President Obama Leaves Handwritten Message On Newton High School Board For Teacher And Football Coach

A high school teacher and football coach left a message on a white board after learning President Obama would be using the classroom as a staging room before his speech at the memorial for the victims, and to their surprise, the President responded.

Newtown football coach Steve George and teacher Bob Pattison left a note saying:

 "Dear President Obama,

The Newtown community is so thankful that you are coming to help us heal. In times of adversity it is reassuring to know that we have a strong leader to help us recover.

-Steve George, teacher/football coach

-Bobby Pattison, teacher"

When they went back into the classroom they found a handwritten message from Obama on the board replying, "You're in our thoughts and prayers," the note read with Obama's signature.

The small town in Connecticut is mourning the deaths of 20 children between the ages of 6 and 7 and 6 adults who were murdered during the elementary school massacre.  Sunday President Barack Obama went to Newton for the memorial vigil held for those who were killed.

On Friday, Adam Lanza, 20, killed his mother, Nancy Lanza first at their home on Yogananda Street in Newtown, Connecticut before heading to the Sandy Hook Elementary school where he shot 26 people and himself at the scene. The shooter, an honor student considered to be a genius by his peers never seemed to be a violent type and was considered a "nerd" by his own brother, Ryan Lanza.