Barrow County School System officials have announced plans to start a "gradual reopening" of Apalachee High School on Monday, September 23.
That date would come just under three weeks after a deadly shooting that left four people dead, two teachers and two students. Nine others were injured in the shooting with a 14-year-old student, Colt Gray, being arrested and charged.
The planned re-opening was announced in a video by Barrow County Schools Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff and Apalachee High School Principal Jessica Rehberg Friday afternoon.
"I've heard from so many of you that you want to be back together with your friends and your teachers at school," Rehberg said. "We are planning to have a thoughtful, gradual return to school...We are working to make sure we have the right systems and resources in place. We also want to ensure we have the right mental health support on our campus, spaces for relocated classes and have thought through every detail of your return."
The rest of the schools in the county returned to class this past Tuesday.
"We know coming back has been hard for some students and staff, and thank you for supporting each other," LeDuff said. "Over 90% of our students returned to class this week."
Rehberg encouraged students returning to class at Apalachee to speak with trusted adults to get counseling where needed and said the school would adjust the reopening plans as needed.
