Page 1 - ARUBA TODAY

Celebrate

Purim
Thursday
March 1, 2018
T: 582-7800 | F: 582-7044
www.arubatoday.com

Page 13
Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper ruba’s ONLY English newspaper
A
Hugs, Tears and Police: High School Reopens After Shooting

By KELLI KENNEDY
TERRY SPENCER
JOSH REPLOGLE
Associated Press
PARKLAND, Fla. (AP)
— Students and teach-
ers hugged and cried
Wednesday as they re-
turned under heavy police
guard to Marjory Stone-
man Douglas High for the
first time since a teenager
with an assault rifle killed
17 people and thrust the
huge Florida school into
the center of a renewed
national gun debate.
The half-day began with
fourth period so that the
nearly 3,300 students could
first be with the people
they were with during the
shooting two weeks ago.
“In the beginning, every-
one was super serious, but
then everyone cheered
up and it started being
the same vibes we had
before the shooting. Peo-
ple started laughing and
joking around,” said Kyle
Kashuv, a junior who said
he hugged every single Students carrying flowers walk past police on their way to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday,
teacher. Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by
On the way in, teens were a former student on Feb. 14.
guarded by hundreds of (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
police officers. The police streets at a crosswalk. and Superintendent Rob- ple and sell more guns,” where the Feb. 14 massa-
were accompanied by Kashuv said he was ert Runcie said the police said David Hogg, who has cre took place remained
comfort animals, including amazed by the outpouring presence would continue become a leading voice in cordoned off.
dogs, horses and a don- of support from the com- for the remainder of the the student movement to Students were told leave
key. One of the horses had munity, including the po- school year. restrict assault weapons. their backpacks at home.
“eagle pride” painted on lice presence, the animals The heavy arms rattled About 150 grief counsel- Principal Ty Thomas tweet-
its side. A nearby woman and many well-wishers. some students. ors were on campus “to ed that the school’s focus
held a sign offering “free There were letters from all “This is a picture of educa- provide a lot of love, a lot would be on “emotional
kisses.” over the world and “ban- tion in fear in this country.” of understanding” and to readiness and comfort, not
After school dismissed, ners on every single wall,” The National Rifle Associa- help students “ease back” curriculum.”
members of the Guardian he said. tion “wants more people into their school routines,
Angels wearing their trade- Some of the officers car- just like this, with that exact Runcie said.
mark red berets lined the ried military-style rifles, firearm, to scare more peo- The freshman building Continued on Page 4