Slain Newtown educators to be honored with medals

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Presidential medals are being awarded posthumously to the six people who died protecting children at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

A White House official says the four teachers and two administrators killed in the Dec. 14 school shooting in Newtown, Conn. will be among the recipients of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal. The official spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the award recipients have not been officially announced.

The awards are to be presented to the families of the victims at a White House ceremony on Feb. 15.

The medal honors Americans who have performed "exemplary deeds of service" for their country or fellow citizens.

Principal Dawn Hochsprung, school psychologist Mary Sherlach and teachers Rachel D'Avino, Lauren Rousseau, Anne Marie Murphy and Victoria Soto were killed along with 20 first-graders.