Students at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, located outside of Atlanta, will be returning to campus for half-days starting next week. This decision follows a tragic shooting that occurred on September 4, resulting in the death of four individuals and injuring nine others.
The high school will operate with shortened periods and dismissal at 12:40 p.m. from September 24 to October 4. Following this period, the scheduled fall break will take place, with full-day classes resuming on October 14. The school district aims for the 1,900 students at Apalachee to transition back to their routine gradually and comfortably.
To ensure the well-being of the students, more law enforcement officers will provide security, additional counselors will be available, and resources like therapy dogs will be provided. The J Hall at Apalachee High School, the area where the shooting occurred, will remain closed for the rest of the school year.
Temporary arrangements have been made for students taking social studies classes, who will be transported to a facility about 4.5 miles away, referred to as “Chee East.” The school district plans to erect temporary structures on the Apalachee campus by January.
An open house will be held for students and families at both the main campus and the satellite building, offering the opportunity to create art pieces intended for a larger mosaic to be displayed at the high school. The tragic incident claimed the lives of teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, along with students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Additionally, another teacher and eight students sustained injuries, with seven of them being gunshot wounds.
A 14-year-old former student, Colt Gray, has been charged as an adult with four counts of murder in connection to the shooting. District Attorney Brad Smith indicated the likelihood of more charges related to the wounded. Furthermore, Gray’s father, Colin Gray, has been charged for allegedly providing his son with access to the firearm, despite knowing or should have known about the teen’s potential danger to himself and others.
