Students Return To Red Oak School Hit By Tornado
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
RED OAK (CBSDFW.COM) - There were some 5,800 students heading back to classes in the Red Oak Independent School District on Monday morning, and many of the the youngest kids returned to a newly revamped campus. Excitement had been building at Shields Elementary School this summer, where Monday's homecoming had an extra special meaning.
Principal Shondra Jones said that she could not wait for kids to arrive. "It's going to be like a big party," she said. "It's going to be a celebration."
Shields Elementary School suffered extensive damage when an EF-1 tornado barreled through the campus back in December, on the day after Christmas. That forced students to spend last semester at the district's former junior high school, while crews worked to repair the elementary school building.
About 550 students are enrolled at Shields Elementary School.
"We came here and it was all damaged and everything," recalled third-grade student Graham Dixon. "It was scary."
The campus went through a massive $13 million renovation this year. Many students got their first look at the updated school building when classes resumed on Monday morning. Teachers have also spent the past week preparing their classrooms and helping to add some final touches to school improvements.
"It was definitely a mix of emotions," Jones said of the last eight months, "but, you know what, we made it through. We had so much support from our district, our community and people near and far."
"I'm just proud of all of them," said superintendent Scott Niven. "I'm proud of all the work they've done and their dedication, and they've done it all for our students. And you can tell, they're a great group."
Monday began with parents snapping photographs of their children in front of Shields Elementary School, where a large sign welcomes children back to class. A vendor donated the signage after last year's tornado. "The first day of school is so exciting, and we're just ready to get this school year going," said teacher Tiffany Munoz. She has been at the school for seven years. "It's going to be our best year yet."
