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“It is a recovery year,” Perry High School getting ready for the start of the new school year
PERRY, Iowa — The Perry community continues to heal after the deadly school shooting earlier this year.
The tragedy injured six people and claimed the lives of two, sixth-grade student Ahmir Joliff and longtime principal Dan Marburger.
Students returned to class on January 31 and wrapped up the 2023-24 year back in May.
“Students and staff did a tremendous job finishing the year,” Perry schools superintendent Clark Wicks shared with WHO 13 News. “We really worked on healing. We had a lot of hope and we had a lot of resilience.”
He said he is proud of the community, staff, and students for healing and overcoming a difficult year.
Perry High School students return for the 2024-25 school year on Friday, August 23. Wicks is optimistic for the new school year.
“It is a recovery year, but with the recovery year, it means to start out slowly and get your feet on the ground and start building your confidence,” the superintendent said.
Staff retention was the same as previous years, the school district welcomed 19 new teachers this school year.
Wicks shared there are indicators student enrollment is strong this year.
With students returning in a couple of weeks, resources will be available for staff and students. That includes school resource officers at each building, multiple mental health counselors, and two therapy dogs.
“With all of that, we know that we can help kids, and we know that we can help staff that maybe have some concerns or maybe have some anxiety,” Wicks said. “I know that first step to success leads to a successful journey.”
Following the tragedy, Wicks reassures concerns or hesitancy of the new school year.
“It’s ok to have a little bit of anxiety, but take that first step,” Wicks said. “Take that first step into getting into the building and getting the first assignment and meeting with your friends, that first step to build that confidence and just know that if people give themselves that confidence and a chance, we can do it.”
Perry High School’s new principal, Brad Snowgren, shared with WHO 13 News Cinthia Naranjo, that he is excited to welcome back students in a couple of weeks and looking forward to another year.
Continue Reading at WHO13.com here
