King: Sense Of Relief On School Return

A sense of relief for students.

That’s how Interim Director of Putnam County Schools Corby King described today’s reopening.

“I think the overall feeling was that students were happy to be back in to see their friends,” King said. “Teachers were happy to see students. There are some anxieties and fears that students are coming back with that are definitely understandable, and they’re going to have them for awhile. Those are things we’re going to help students process over the next few months.”

King said that it is important to also remember teachers and staff members were also affected by Tuesday’s tornado.

“It’s teachers, as well,” King said. “It’s not just students, but our teachers and staff members that have also experienced trauma and are going to deal with some of these anxieties for awhile.”

Even though King said the overwhelming feeling was that everyone was happy to see each other, he knows that the recovery among the thoughts and feelings of students and staff will take awhile.

“This isn’t something that’s going to go away in a few days,” King said. “Students, teachers, and staff members that have lost their homes and other things will be processing, and this is something that will take time.”

King also said that despite the transportation challenges facing families in the affected area, he received no reports of difficulties getting students to school Monday morning.