On Monday morning, a lone gunman killed at least 32 people in a dormitory and a classroom at Virginia Tech University before killing himself.
The shootings, the worst school killings in U.S. history, are prompting several Arlington area schools to look at their security policies.
Linda Erdos, a spokesperson for Arlington Public Schools said, "We're in a 'watch and see' mode like everyone else in the state. Everyone is just absorbing the shock."
She said that no plans were being made to heighten security at local public schools in the near future. But Erdos noted that "We're… going to be interested to see if there are any recommendations [that come from police investigations into the incident]."
In the meantime, Arlington Public Schools is focusing on making counseling services available to its students.
"There are kids that know someone who goes [to Virginia Tech]," Erdos said. "[This] touches a little closer to home."
According to Erdos, approximately 25 Arlington high school graduates attend Virginia Tech each year.
Shelley Dutton, spokesperson for Arlington-based Marymount University, said that the school has a defined emergency plan in place, which it reviews and updates in an ongoing process. But she did not comment on whether the plan is being reviewed in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings.
She did say that the events were "A tragedy of incomparable proportions. We are all thinking and praying for the people of Virginia Tech. They're in our prayers."
Daniel Walsch, a spokesperson for the George Mason University School of Law located in Arlington, said that, in the short term, "Nothing different is being done to help ensure the safety of the campus. The [George Mason] Police Department has 52 members and all are trained to deal with shooting incidents."
But he added that, prompted by the shooting incident in Blacksburg, the school will "Be looking at the procedures for what happens when a crisis occurs" beginning on Tuesday.
Walsch also said that the school is keeping their counseling services open 24 hours a day for students who were affected by the incident.
A spokesperson for the Alexandria campus of Virginia Tech University said that all classes there were cancelled on Monday, the day of the shooting, but that they were set to resume on Tuesday.