Silver Rail Elementary School reopens 28 days after deadly shooting in Oregon

Silver Rail Elementary School reopens 28 days after deadly shooting in Oregon Silver Rail Elementary School is reopening 28 days after a gunman killed three students and a teacher inside the Oregon school. 28 minutes ago Keenan Gibson , (CNN)- Silver Rail Elementary School is reopening Thursday, 28 days after a gunman killed three students and a teacher inside the Oregon school. The reopening comes after weeks of repairs, restoration and preparations aimed at helping students, teachers and families return to the building. “Getting back to school is going to be tough. This is the nightmare that you didn’t want. I’m a parent, so it makes me get teary,” said Angie Moreland with the National Mass Violence Center. Among the changes made to the building is a new wall separating students from the classroom where the shooting occurred. Bend-La Pine School District Superintendent Steven Cook said the district has spent much of the past several weeks preparing for students’ return. “The last 20 or so days have been about getting prepared for this moment so that this return doesn’t feel so enormous for as many of the students and as many of the families as it could,” Cook said. Teachers and staff returned to the school Monday, while families were invited to participate in walkthroughs before classes resumed. District officials said the visits gave students an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and become comfortable with the building again. “When parents were able to see their children interacting and so excited about the school and seeing each other, seeing people that they’re familiar with, I think that really warmed the hearts of their parents and guardians,” said Paul Dean, chief operations officer for Bend-La Pine Schools. Before reopening, district leaders also held several community listening sessions to hear concerns and gather feedback from families. According to a district survey, nearly 90% of families indicated they were ready to return to Silver Rail Elementary. Community members say the reopening represents an important step in the healing process, even as the effects of the shooting remain. “The poor school and everyone in it, It’s heartbreaking and I hope, you know, they can slowly heal and move past this and make new great memories at this school,” said Bend resident Tiffany Congleton. Categories : Across the Nation , Featured Tags : Bend Oregon , Bend-La Pine Schools , community recovery , mental health , Oregon news , school reopening , School Safety , School shooting , Silver Rail Elementary , students , teachers Facebook Pinterest Twitter Linkedin