'We're So Happy To Be Here': Claremore School Open After Damaged In Tornado

A Claremore school is back open after experiencing significant tornado damage. 

The school still isn’t fully back to normal, but the kids are excited to be back in class after May's tornado. 

Crews and volunteers have been hard at work this whole summer to get most of the school back open.

There’s still work to be done inside and out by the playground, but smiling faces were seen Thursday in class.

On the first day of school, excitement and sounds echoed through the second floor of Legacy Christian School in downtown Claremore.

In Jenny Peters’ kindergarten class, the spotlight was on introductions and making school feel as normal as possible.

“A lot of prayer, really, because as soon as the tornado hit, it was obvious how bad it was,” Peters said.

After the tornado ribbed through town, the roof was gone, debris was everywhere, and the building was flooded.

After a summer of hard work, the first day of school sounds on the first floor are all about rebuilding.

“It’s kind of depressing when we walk through here,” said Principal Jill Hendrickson. “It's not right.”

Principal Jill Hendrickson said this building used to be the cafeteria but is now a storage room.

“We’re eating lunch in classrooms, and students are having to bring a cold lunch every day,” she said.

The youngest kids had to start this school year in a different location because of flood damage on the first floor.

But progress is being made, and Jill says her families and teachers are grateful.

“Even in the storms, God is so good, and he’s been gracious to us,” she said. “We're so happy to be here.”

The principal hopes to have younger kids join them here again in the next few weeks.