Students at Sparks Middle School in Nevada returned to class on Monday one week after a shooting occurred that stunned the community, USA TODAY reported.
According to authorities, an additional amount of counselors and police officers will be on hand if needed.
"Schools are still the safest place to be for children," said Mike Mieras, Washoe County School District police chief. "Parents, talk to your kids and have those honest conversations. We have counselors here, and we have Secret Witness. If your child does feel a little unsafe, come in and talk to those individuals."
On Oct. 21, 12-year-old student Jose Reyes arrived at Sparks armed with a semi-automatic 9-mm pistol following the school's week-long break. He wounded two students -- one in the shoulder, one in the abdomen -- and killed math teacher Michael Landsberry. Reyes committed suicide shortly after.
Though Mieras claimed that schools are the "safest place to be," many students feel scared to go back. Last week's shooting was the second incident that happened in Washoe County in the past seven years. In neighboring Reno, a 14-year-old student at Pines Middle School shot and injured two students in 2006.
Gabrielle Totton, Executive Director of Trauma Intervention Programs of Northern Nevada, suggested it will take time for students to successfully reintegrate back into their school schedules.
"Last time they were there, they were running for their lives," Totton said. "So in their minds, there are a lot of things they think they are coming back to."
Though most kids returned on Monday, doors were open to faculty members of Wednesday and students on Thursday with counseling services offered. Since the shooting, a memorial service was held as well.
"There is a lot of disbelief ... a lot of fear," Totton added. "They are scared. It's a scary thing to see at that age. For those kids who physically witnessed Landsberry shot, that is forever etched in their brains."
