Shaler Elementary Students Head Back To Class

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Parents dropped off their children at Shaler Area Elementary School Wednesday morning.

It was the first day back for students after a piece of ductwork came falling down inside the school's cafeteria during a lunch period last week.

Eight days removed from the collapse, it was back to school.

The start of school came just hours after a meeting between parents and administration to discuss just what happened and what's now being done since the April 3 incident.

"Since that day, three independent engineers have been brought in; one hired by the district, one by the insurance company and one by the DA's office," said Dr. Wesley Shipley, the superintendent of Shaler Area School District.

A total of seven students and two teachers were injured in the mishap. The vast majority of parents also said they were ok with the overall response of the district in a crisis.

"They just did an amazing job. My kids didn't know everything that was happening, but after the fact I was happy they didn't know," added Diane Ferianc, another parent.

But all were not satisfied. One parent made clear her concerns regarding sending her child back to school today.

"He was a foot away from being hit and they're making it seem like these were minor injuries, and they're not," said Amanda Olszewski, a parent. "There are kids that have had surgery and have been hurt. How do we know it's safe?"

The students will not be eating lunch in the cafeteria as engineering studies into what went wrong continue.

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