JOPLIN, Mo., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Just three months after a powerful tornado leveled one-third of the city, Wednesday was the first day of public school in Joplin, Mo.
Teachers warmly welcomed hundreds of students back to classes at Stapleton Elementary and South Middle School, the Joplin Globe reported. Although neither building was damaged by the F-5 magnitude twister, many homes and businesses in the surrounding community were devastated.