ST. LOUIS — Central Visual and Performing Arts High School students (CVPA) were cheered on by staff Tuesday, Jan. 17, as they entered school by walking on a red carpet under a school-colored balloon arch.
Students and staff returned for in-person learning, three months after the fatal shooting where police say a former CVPA student entered the school and killed a 61-year-old teacher, and a 15-year-old student, and injured others.
CVPA students will have early dismissal for the first two weeks back as they were let out early on Tuesday.
"It felt like the CVPA way today, the way we do business. It was a productive day. I feel like everyone was in good spirits. We had smooth transitions,” Principal Dr. Kacy Seals Shahid said.
"At this point I'm focusing on the mental health of the students and staff. It was good having counselors available. We had some good connections made with the therapists who were here. I feel really good about the support we have received."
Last week, families, students and staff had an opportunity to enter CVPA for the first time since the Oct. 24th shooting and got a first look at the security and building improvements.
For one sophomore, Tuesday was her first time entering the building, as well as going back to in-person learning.
“It was actually very smooth and interesting,” she said. “We had a lot of fun, and it wasn’t as bad.”
For the rest of the academic year, she is looking forward to continuing having fun at school.
The Collegiate School of Medicine and Biosciences (CSMB), which shares a campus with CVPA, went back in person Nov. 28. CVPA students have been virtually learning in the weeks following the shooting.
While police released no details on how the suspect got into the building, CVPA received several security upgrades. Most of the safety and security upgrades were already planned before the shooting as part of the district’s Prop S bond issue that was passed in August, according to George Sells, director of communications for St. Louis Public Schools.
Security updates include but are not limited to:
- Eight security officers will be onsite, and some will be armed
- Mobile units and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police will be visible in their patrol of the school and neighborhood
- More than 160 interior doors were replaced and there are plans to replace exterior doors which are on backorder
- Additional cameras throughout the campus were installed
- Exterior doors will continue to be equipped to alarm for exits or intrusions
- Window replacements have been completed
Additionally, a real-time notification system that alerts officials to any 911 calls in the vicinity of SLPS schools was approved by the school board, according to Sells.
The 911RTA subscription service is a partnership with the Regional Justice Information System (REJIS) and SirenGPS, Inc., which enables SLPS officials to take immediate safety and security precautions as needed.
Modified intruder drills will be held in conjunction with staff from the Office of Student Services who will advise SLPS officials on trauma and triggers.
Training will be re-instituted later this month.
