Students and staff visit Apalachee High School during the open house before the official reopening

BARROW COUNTY, Georgia. – Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith issued a statement Monday morning before an open house at Apalachee High School in Barrow County.

On September 4, a mass murder occurred at Apalachee High School. Two 14-year-old students and two teachers were killed and nine others were injured. 14-year-old student Colt Gray was charged with their murder. In addition, his father, Colin Gray, was arrested for purchasing the gun used in the mass murder for his son, despite knowing that the teenager was troubled.

The open day is designed to give students and staff the opportunity to tour the school before classes officially resume on Tuesday, and to provide students and staff with the opportunity to reconnect.

Some students, parents and staff have expressed concerns about returning to high school and formed a group called Change for Chee. The group started a petition calling on the school district to implement security measures such as metal detectors and clear bags only.

Barrow County Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff released a statement on the school district's website saying additional security measures were being discussed with the Sheriff's Department, Board of Education and state authorities.

CURRENT STORIES

Sheriff Smith assured those affected in his statement Monday morning that precautions are being taken to keep everyone at the school safe, noting that some of these measures will be visible, while others may not be immediately apparent.

Smith also thanked everyone in the community for their support and asked the media to give students and staff space today and for the rest of the week as they adjust to returning to school.

The open day takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Different years visit the school at different times. First-year students visit the school between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., second-year students between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and third- and fourth-year students from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

When classes resume Tuesday, students will attend classes only half-day until Oct. 4, when fall break begins. The regular schedule will resume Oct. 14, according to the school district.

As J Hall remains closed, the school will use a building on Star Street called “Chee East” for classes that were previously held in that part of the school.

During the open house, students will have the opportunity to create small pieces of art that will be added to a larger mosaic that will eventually be displayed on campus. In addition, there will be on-site advisors available to help students.