Sandy Hook Students Return to Class

03 Jan, 2013

The children who escaped last month’s shootings at a Connecticut elementary school will be returning to classes in a neighbouring town in a refurbished school renamed after their old one.

The Newtown superintendent of schools, Janet Robinson, announced that the students’ new school, the former Chalk Hill Middle School in Monroe, had been renamed Sandy Hook Elementary School. She said the Sandy Hook staff made that decision.

“That’s who they are. They’re the Sandy Hook family,” Robinson said after a news conference at a park in Monroe a few miles from the school, which will open for classes on Thursday morning. An open house was held for parents and students on Wednesday.

Robinson added that renaming the Chalk Hill school will allow staff and students to keep “their identity and a comfort level”.

The school where the shootings occurred remains closed and guarded by police. Newtown officials haven’t decided yet on the building’s future.

It’s been nearly three weeks since the 14 December massacre, when gunman Adam Lanza killed 20 students and six teachers. Lanza also killed his mother at the home they shared in Newtown before the school shootings, which ended when Lanza fatally shot himself as police arrived.

Police have not yet released any details about a motive.

Police officers on Wednesday were on guard outside the Monroe school, which is about seven miles from the old school, and told reporters to stay away.

Asked about the level of security at the new school, Monroe police Lieutenant Keith White said, “I think right now it has to be the safest school in America.”

Newtown police chief Michael Kehoe declined to answer questions on Wednesday about the investigation.

Teachers attended staff meetings at the new school on Wednesday morning and were visited by the Connecticut state governor, Dannel P Malloy, White said.

Robinson said Chalk Hill School had been transformed into a “cheerful” place for the surviving students to resume normal school routines. She said mental health counsellors continued to be available for anyone who needs them.

“They’re so excited to see the teachers,” Robinson said about the open house attendees.

Signs welcoming the Sandy Hook students to their new school were posted along the road leading to the school in a rural, mostly residential neighborhood. One said “Welcome Sandy Hook Elementary Kids,” while another added “You are in our prayers.”

Donna Page, a retired Sandy Hook principal, will lead the new school.

Teams of workers, many of them volunteers, prepared the Chalk Hill school with fresh paint and new furniture and even raised bathroom floors so the smaller elementary school students could reach the toilets. The students’ desks, backpacks and other belongings that were left behind following the shooting were taken to the new school to make them feel at home.

Counsellors say it’s important for children to get back to a normal routine and for teachers and parents to offer sensitive reassurances.

When classes start, Robinson said teachers will try to make it as normal a school day as possible for the children.

“We want to get back to teaching and learning,” she said. “We will obviously take time out from the academics for any conversations that need to take place, and there will be a lot of support there. All in all, we want the kids to reconnect with their friends and classroom teachers, and I think that’s going to be the healthiest thing.”

The Guardian

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