Henryville High School students return to temporary school

SCOTTSBURG, Ind. (AP/WISH) - Some 500 students are heading back to classes for the first time since a tornado devastated their southern Indiana school a month ago.

The Henryville Junior-Senior High School students are to arrive Monday morning at the Mid America Science Park in nearby Scottsburg, where conference rooms and store rooms have been converted into classrooms, computer labs and a cafeteria.

"I think it’s exciting to get our kids back together. I’m looking forward to seeing them this morning," Principal Troy Albert told 24-Hour News 8 Monday morning.

West Clark schools assistant superintendent John Reed says the district is trying to help students get back in the academic groove following the March 2 storm. Elementary students returned to school March 21 at a rented church building in New Albany.

Albert said he anticipated the school would be in "celebration mode" as students and friends who haven't seen each other in a month get a chance to reconnect. Counselors will be on site if students need extra support.

Science park manager Anita Walker tells WHAS-TV (http://bit.ly/H9K57P ) that people are expected to line the streets to welcome the high school students on their first day.