Perhaps it is a blessing that the Sandy Hook Elementary School remains closed. As a crime scene, investigations will continue to be conducted at the Sandy Hook school site. Today, Thursday Jan 3, 2013, marks a return to a new normal for the Sandy Hook survivors. Students and faculty head back to school for the first time since the horrific shooting took place on Dec. 14, 2012.
Sandy Hook Elementary School families find a new home in neighboring town.
Students with their families and faculty have been welcomed into the former Chalk Hill Middle School in Monroe. Located seven miles from Sandy Hook, their new abode for learning has been filled with familiar objects from the old school. Children's desks and artwork were brought over to add some comfort to the new surroundings. A sign hangs outside welcoming Sandy Hook Elementary School into their new home.
Back with friends and familiar school day activities will help in continuing the healing process.
New surroundings with the comfort of their own furnishings will help the children gain some renewed normalcy in their young lives. Being together and learning, talking, laughing and crying helps in the healing process. An open house on Wednesday allowed for the Sandy Hook families to visit in the new school. The excitement of receiving gifts with toys and seeing teachers and faculty helped prepare the children for the start of school in the new building in Monroe.
A new principle brings with her some old comfort.
Sadly missing from the Sandy Hook Elementary School family is Principle Dawn Hochsprung, among the first to be killed in the shooting rampage. Everything old becomes new again as the Donna Page, who retired in 2010 after serving as Sandy Hook's previous principal, has returned to rein as a familiar presence as principle again of the 500 student school.
Principle Dawn closed a tender note she wrote on the Sandy Hook school's website with "I want parents and families enduring the loss of their precious children to know their loved ones are foremost in our hearts and minds as we move forward. We recognize your needs are paramount in our preparations and planning. Your strength and compassion has been, and will continue to be an inspiration to me and countless others as we work to honor the memory of your precious children and our beloved staff".
May the memories of those lost serve as a learning experience so that an event such as this may never happen again. It can be a cruel world but we owe it to our children to show them that life can be filled with happiness again and can move on after tragedy.
Hug your loved ones tight and teach them well. Never be afraid to dance!
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