Many students in Barrow County, Georgia, are returning to school on Tuesday, six days after a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School claimed the lives of two teachers and two students. While a return date for the 1,900 students at the high school is not yet set, the other 13,000 students in the county’s schools, including those at the nearby middle and elementary schools, will be back in class. Superintendent Dallas LeDuff announced in a video message that extra security will be provided at the schools reopening, with counseling services available for all students and employees. Those who feel unprepared to return are encouraged to reach out to their school’s principal for support.
Sabrina Masters Reed, a third-grade teacher at Holsenback Elementary School, mentioned attending grief and trauma training to prepare for the students’ return. She acknowledged the challenges ahead and the importance of providing a safe environment for those who are ready to come back. Many parents are relying on schools reopening to enable them to resume work without having to arrange for childcare, further emphasizing the community’s need for normalcy and support during this difficult time.
The tragedy has left the community in shock, with many still processing the events of last week. Reed, who leads the county’s chapter of the Georgia Association of Educators, emphasized the unexpected nature of such incidents, highlighting the sense of safety that many residents believed they had in the area. The grief is palpable as relatives and friends mourn the loss of teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie, along with students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. Memorial services have already been held for some of the victims, underlining the deep impact of the tragedy on the community.
Fourteen-year-old Colt Gray faces four counts of murder as an adult, and authorities are considering additional charges related to the injured victims. Colt’s father, Colin Gray, has also been charged in connection with the incident. The wounded, including another teacher and several students, are slowly recovering, with some already being discharged from hospitals. Among them is Natalie Griffith, a freshman student who sustained gunshot wounds to her arm and wrist in her algebra class. Her father, Doug Griffith, expressed pride in her academic achievements and is seeking support through crowdfunding to assist his daughter and other victims during this challenging time.
To aid in the community’s recovery, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, in collaboration with county officials, has opened a community recovery center in Winder. This center offers various services such as counseling, legal assistance, and financial support to help individuals cope with the aftermath of the tragic events. The collective efforts to provide resources and support reflect the community’s resilience and determination to heal together.