Update: Thursday, 4:30 p.m.
Sandy Hook Elementary School Interim Principal Donna Page will be assisted by Bruce Lazar of Monroe Public Schools when the school moves into Chalk Hill in Monroe. Lazar was the last principal at Chalk Hill when it was used as a school.
"Bruce will be our administrative liaison/transition leader," Monroe Supt. of Schools James Agostine said Thursday. "Bruce is experienced with the building and all of the bus routes and parent drop offs, emergency procedures — all of that. I think it's critical to have someone who knows the flow of the building."
Agostine said Lazar will help Page as long as he's needed.
"We'll be meeting with the Newtown administration over the coming weeks to see what their needs are," Agostine said.
Sandy Hook parents, children and teachers have been coming through the building over the past few days, according to Agostine.
Though some are still struggling with the change, Monroe First Selectman Steve Vavrek said about 99% of those who saw Chalk Hill are "ecstatic" about moving in.
"Last night I met a father whose son heard every gun shot and didn't want to go back to school," Vavrek said Thursday. "He just wanted the $12.64 that was in his backpack."
When his parents toured the building Wednesday night, Vavrek said, "Midway through, they saw what was happening. The parents said, 'Boy this is great. We have to take him back.'"
Vavrek said the boy's parents called his grandmother, who came to Chalk Hill to see the school for herself. "She saw it and collapsed in my arms," Vavrek said of the emotional moment.
Original Story
Donna Page, a familiar face to the Sandy Hook School community, will once again take the healm of the elementary school.
Page has been chosen to serve as interim principal when the school reopens at Chalk Hill in Monroe, the New Haven Register reports.
The need for a replacement arose on Dec. 14 when the school's principal, Dawn Hochsprung, was shot and killed by a 20-year-old man, Adam Lanza, forced his way into the school and opened fire on students and teachers. Hochsprung was one of 26 victims that day.
Page worked at Sandy Hook School as principal until her retirement in 2010.
State and local officials approved the move to Chalk Hill earlier this week, and plan to resume classes there after the winter break. Officials are currently preparing Chalk Hill, which was removed from use in 2010 after changing student population needs in Monroe.
