Sandy Hook kids will have new school

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NEWTOWN, Conn., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Sandy Hook students and staff begin classes for the first time Thursday since the deadly Dec. 14 rampage at the Newtown, Conn., elementary school.

Donna Page, who retired as principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School two years ago, will assume her old job in the wake of the massacre that left 20 students and six staff members dead, including Principal Dawn Hochsprung, dead, ABC reported.

Classrooms are being set up at Chalk Hill Middle School in Monroe, about six miles from Newtown.

"Be assured that the towns of Monroe and Newtown are working night and day to ensure the facility is safe, secure, and fully operational for our return," Page wrote on the school's website.

"I want to reassure you that we understand many parents may need to be near their children on their first day(s) of school and you will be welcome."

The new classrooms will be filled with furniture and supplies taken from Sandy Hook so the classrooms will look familiar to the students.

Chalk Hill will be open Wednesday to allow children and parents to take a preview, The Hartford Courant reported.

Newtown schools Superintendent Janet Robinson said parents are comfortable with the choice of Chalk Hill, which was completely retrofitted for the younger children, although it will take buses a little longer to get children there.