Today is the first day back at school for students across North America following the horrific mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school Friday.

A mournful President Barack Obama addressed hundreds of people during a vigil Sunday evening, honouring the 20 children and six adults gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary.

“We can’t tolerate this anymore,” Obama told a crowded high school auditorium. “These tragedies must end, and to end them we must change.”

Obama said he will use the power of his office to confront the spate of shootings that have claimed so many lives.

“What choice do we have?” Obama said. “Are we really prepared to say that we’re powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard?”

This was the fourth time in Obama’s presidency that he has visited a community after a mass shooting. Privately, Obama told Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy that Friday was the most difficult day of his presidency.

HRSB reassures parents

Halifax Regional School Board is attempting to reassure parents with a letter today.

The board will be sending a letter home to parents today to outline some of its safety procedures.

Spokesperson Doug Hadley says everyone of its schools has an emergency preparedness plan, which students and staff practice.

“We do practice isolation drills with the students, so they would take precautions if someone was to enter our building. The students would know where they are supposed to go if they are in a classroom or if they are in a common area in the building to protect themselves,” explained Hadley.

Hadley said all schools in HRSB keep their doors locked and strangers have to attend the front office upon entry. Staff and volunteers are also required to wear identification.

Hadley said the letters going out today are aimed at giving parents some peace of mind.

He added that the province is also now designing new schools with safety in mind.

At least one local vigil is being planned. The Chronicle Herald reports A.J. Snow Funeral Home, which is taking  care of arrangements for some of the victims in Newtown, CT will be holding a vigil at its Clayton Park location Thursday at 7 p.m.