PARKLAND, Fla. _ Teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas were returning to their campus Friday, the first time since a gunman's rampage killed 17 people.
They aren't teaching students or worrying about lesson plans. District officials say this optional work day is to meant to provide any support and counseling they need. A breakfast is also planned.
Only those with official school credentials were being allowed on the school campus Friday morning.
Yellow crime scene tape remained wrapped around the school's monument sign as well as the smaller directional sign on the campus perimeter.
Police cruisers blocked most of the entrances, allowing only a car-width space. Police at the entrance asked to see only Broward County School identification.
A school staff member who declined to give her name stood alongside deputies greeting each car coming through the entrance.
"Good morning, I love you," she called. "Thank you for being here"
At least one of the drivers blew her a kiss and waved.
Chibby Choo, a Catahoula leopard hound, and his owner, Jay Hamm, of Jupiter were among a few onlookers across the street from the media village. He sat on a bicycle with Chibby in the side car.
"We're here to show compassion," said Hamm, whose Paws for Compassion strives to put "smiles on faces and joy in hearts."
He's hoping to get inside and provide some therapy.
"It's a hard place to be," he said
For some teachers, Friday will be a time to get acquainted with new surroundings. A three-story freshman building that was the site of many of the killings will remain closed for the foreseeable future and may eventually be demolished. About 900 students and teachers are being displaced. There will be new schedules, and many teachers may end up sharing classrooms.
"We've already been through a lot, and now we don't have a classroom," said Felicia Burgin, a ninth-grade English teacher.
Students are scheduled to return Wednesday, and Todd Fitz-Gerald, a science teacher and a baseball coach, said he is ready to see them.
"I just want to get back to the 50 kids in my (baseball) program, the 172 students (in science) and the 3,000 kids that I love and just hug them and let them know I'll do anything in my power to help them feel safe at school," he said.
(Staff writer Aric Chokey contributed to this story.)
