Barnsdall Students Return For First Day Back At School After Destructive Tornado

It's been nearly four months since an EF-4 tornado hit the Barnsdall community forcing students and teachers to say goodbye to their classrooms sooner than expected.

On Tuesday, Barnsdall students will head back to school for the first time since that powerful storm destroyed parts of the town. Fortunately, the school was not directly hit by the tornado and will be able to carry out most services. School Superintendent Sayra Bryant said the school has adopted the theme "One team, one dream, panther success" and wants students to leave feeling productive and confident.

The district has a single campus that serves elementary, middle, and high school students. Bryant said there was minor damage to the football field and that one bus stop is in a neighborhood where there are no homes left standing. The district is making arrangements to accommodate those students.

She also says many students experienced the tornadoes firsthand, so they have therapists ready to support the students.

“They didn’t get to say goodbye in the way that they wanted to and so they’re looking forward to just almost like being reunited,” said Bryant.

Classes for the Barnsdall elementary, middle, and high school begin Tuesday with the first bell at 8 a.m