Pickerington community gathering before students return to school

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Pickerington, Ohio (WCMH) — Pickerington students return to school on Wednesday for the first time since Thursday. student’s father-in-law Suicide at Ridgeview Middle School.

The district has decided to give all students a day off on Friday while Monday and Tuesday were previously scheduled as professional development days for staff.

Community members gathered at the school on Tuesday night. For some students, they were back in class for the first time since last week, so parents and other adults wanted to make sure they were feeling good back in class.

“For us, it is reassuring to be around other people affected by this, there is a certain sense of community, we are all together and ready to go back to school tomorrow. ” said Courtney Massey.

Before the prayer wheel, the last time Massey’s 7th grade twins went was Thursday when they were taking shelter.

The student’s stepfather committed suicide inside the building, police said. District leaders said no students witnessed what happened, but wanted to give them time.

“I think there’s a lot of anxiety about tomorrow, so it’s been really nice to be around other people and have a sense of peace in a prayer circle,” she said.

Reverend Charles Newman organized a prayer wheel. He has a son who attends his Ridgeview and says he wants all students to feel safe returning to class.

“Together, at heart, we are Pickeringtons, and it is important that we spend this moment with our families.” It is a gathering of families who say that

“I haven’t been back to school since Thursday, so it’s been really peaceful, like being back in school,” Mireaka Massey said. “So I think it’s just right.”

School district leaders declined interview requests but said they were looking forward to having students back in class.