Mount Horeb students return to school Monday

MOUNT HOREB, Wis. (WMTV) - Mount Horeb Area School District’s superintendent described the students and staff as resilient Monday morning as they return to classes for the first time since last Wednesday. School was canceled last Thursday and Friday after a fellow student attempted to bring a pellet gun inside the building on Wednesday. Police shot and killed the gunman before he was able to get into the building.

Superintendent Steve Salerno greeted students as they were dropped off Monday morning. He said staff spent much of the weekend preparing for their students’ return, ensuring they set the right tone and pace for the day.

“A lot of healing for our staff first, a lot of connecting and needing to hear what we know so that can focus and turn our attention toward our young people, and helping our community heal,” Dr. Steve Salerno said. “They are just a remarkable group of professionals doing whatever they can. It’s just really remarkable.”

Salerno said returning to class is just one step toward healing.

“I suspect that everyday is going to get a little bit better, our legs are going to get stronger and we’ll continue to blaze new trails as this district has always done,” Salerno said. “I think we’re taking it day by day.”

Salerno also acknowledged the tragedy of what happened and support the family of the student who was killed.

“I just ask that we continue to pray for the family of the young man who we lost, it’s obviously very difficult,” Salerno said. “No one ever hopes to have this experience for their own family. I know them to be a loving family, a supportive family, and we need to rally around them because they’re grieving too.”

Salerno also said he’s received guidance and support from other superintendents across the state and country who have experienced incidents within their own school districts.

Therapy dogs were on hand to welcome students back on Monday, as well. Dogs were stationed at the entrances to the school buildings, receiving plenty of attention. The district explained extra counselors and police officers are available throughout the day to make students feel safe and supported during what is an uneasy time for many of them.

Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.