Current:Home > MarketsAfter shooting at Georgia high school, students will return next week for half-days -Elevate Capital Network
After shooting at Georgia high school, students will return next week for half-days
View
Date:2025-04-15 19:48:33
ATLANTA (AP) — Students at Apalachee High School outside Atlanta will return to campus for half-days beginning next week, Barrow County school officials announced, after a Sept. 4 shooting that killed four people and injured nine others.
The school system northeast of Atlanta said the Winder high school will start at the normal time of 8:15 a.m., but it will run with shortened periods and dismiss at 12:40 p.m. between Sept. 24 and Oct. 4. Then the already-scheduled fall break takes place, and officials plan to resume full-day classes after that starting Oct. 14.
The idea is for Apalachee’s 1,900 students to “ease back into the routine at a comfortable pace,” school system officials said in an online document. The district’s 13,000 other students restarted school last week. Superintendent Dallas LeDuff has said more than 90% returned.
In a recent joint video with LeDuff, Apalachee Principal Jessica Rehberg promised “a thoughtful, gradual return to school,” saying officials are “prioritizing the well-being and comfort of every student as we move forward together.”
Officials said that more law enforcement officers would be providing security, more counselors would be on hand for students and employees, and other resources including therapy dogs would be available.
Apalachee High School’s J Hall, the wing where the shooting took place, will be blocked off and remain closed for the rest of the school year, Barrow officials said.
For the remainder of the fall semester, students taking social studies classes will be bussed to a building about 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) away. School officials said they’re going to call it “Chee East,” reflecting the “Chee” nickname that many in Barrow County use for the high school.
Temporary buildings are planned for the Apalachee campus by January.
The school system said it would offer an open house for students and families at the main campus and the satellite building on Monday morning. Students will be invited to create art intended for a larger mosaic planned for display at the high school.
The shooting killed teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, with seven of those hit by gunfire.
Colt Gray, who was a 14-year-old student at the school, has been charged as an adult with four counts of murder, and District Attorney Brad Smith has said more charges are likely in connection with the wounded.
Authorities have also charged Gray’s father, Colin Gray, alleging that he gave his son access to the gun when he knew or should have known that the teen was a danger to himself and others.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- War-wracked Myanmar is now the world’s top opium producer, surpassing Afghanistan, says UN agency
- Palestinian flag lodged in public Hanukkah menorah in Connecticut sparks outcry
- Arizona, Kansas, Purdue lead AP Top 25 poll; Oklahoma, Clemson make big jumps; Northwestern debuts
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Macy's receives buyout offer — is it all about real estate?
- New York pledges $1B on chip research and development in Albany in bid for jobs, federal grants
- Private intelligence firms say ship was attacked off Yemen as Houthi rebel threats grow
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Groups want full federal appeals court to revisit ruling limiting scope of the Voting Rights Act
Ranking
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Third Mississippi man is buried in a pauper’s grave without family’s knowledge
- Police responding to burglary kill a man authorities say was armed with knife
- Man sues NYC after he spent 27 years in prison, then was cleared in subway token clerk killing
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Elon Musk Makes Rare Appearance With His and Grimes’ Son X Æ A-Xii
- Pennsylvania school choice program criticized as ‘discriminatory’ as lawmakers return to session
- Los Angeles Lakers to hang 'unique' NBA In-Season Tournament championship banner
Recommendation
Average rate on 30
Vanessa Hudgens Had a High School Musical Reunion at Her Wedding
Did inflation drift lower in November? CPI report could affect outlook for interest rates
Corner collapses at six-story Bronx apartment building, leaving apartments exposed
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Raven-Symoné reveals her brother died of colon cancer: 'I love you, Blaize'
Europe agreed on world-leading AI rules. How do they work and will they affect people everywhere?
Kentucky judge strikes down charter schools funding measure