PERRY, Iowa — Perry Elementary School has reopened less than three weeks after a deadly school shooting at Perry High School left three people, including the shooter, dead.
The Wednesday return looked different for the elementary students, as plenty of new safety measures were in effect.
Students entering or exiting the building are only allowed to use one specific entrance. For elementary school students and PACES participants, those doors were the main office and west flagpole doors, respectively.
In addition to the new protocol, the school district has said there will be additional administrative support and uniformed law enforcement in every building.
All visitors to the school buildings will use the Raptor system for check-in, and all schools will operate under an early dismissal schedule until further notice.
While the elementary school reopened for students on Wednesday, Perry Middle School will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 25. Perry High School students are expected to return to class on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
Here's what doors the other schools will use when they return:
- Middle: Main entrance; bus students go through Performing Arts Center
- High: Main entrance under blue bricks on west side of the building on 18th Street
For more information on the plans, click here.
The elementary school held an open house Tuesday night to welcome students and parents back to the classrooms.
The open house consisted of activities, treats and teddy bears for the kids, as well as counseling services.
"It's a nice roll out, soft roll out to get people into the building so we get acclimated again, and tomorrow student's will be here, so it's a good beginning," said Clark Wicks, superintendent of the Perry Community School District.
Many of the students showed excitement to get back to school, and some parents were comfortable as well.
"I'm excited for them to get back to school, they've been excited, they've been talking about going to school, so and I think Perry will do what they need to do to protect our kids," said parent Jeramy Vetter said.
On the other hand, many parents are scared for their kids to walk back through the doors.
Local 5 spoke with a parent, who wanted to remain anonymous, who said he feels like nothing is going to be done and reiterated that a lot of parents feel the same.
This parent would like to see more security measures implemented like metal detectors and a clear bag policy.
Additionally, this parent feels like they didn't have an opportunity to speak on the students' return and safety, criticizing the fact that the public meetings were held in the middle of the day and saying there was no transparency.
Wicks wants parents who may be afraid of sending their kids back to school should take their time in processing their emotions. In the meantime, the school will be there for support.
"It's understandable," Wicks said. "Let's all work together and we can get through this."