Spokane school gets back to normal

SPOKANE — Crisis counselors were on hand and students were encouraged to talk about their fears when they returned to Lewis and Clark High School on Tuesday, a day after an armed classmate was shot by police.

Teachers discussed the shooting of Sean Fitzpatrick at the beginning of classes, but quickly returned to normal routines, students said.

"We’re doing everything we can to return to normal conditions," superintendent Brian Benzel said.

"I was nervous to come back," junior Jessica Smith said during a lunch hour break 24 hours after Fitzpatrick was shot and critically wounded by police in a third-floor science classroom.

"I wondered how the day would play out, how people would act, and whether anyone else would get a wild hair," she said. "I keep replaying it in my head. It’s a sad thought."

Counselors from other area high schools were on hand Tuesday for students who wanted to talk about the incident.

"Most students were really glad to be in school today and really glad to see their friends," district counselor Maureen Schneider. "I saw relief."

Fitzpatrick remained in critical condition at a Spokane hospital Tuesday. The 16-year-old apparently did not intend to harm anyone else, Police Chief Roger Bragdon told a news conference.

Enes Dautovic, another junior, said the shooting left some students shaken and worried about their own safety.

"It was an amazing thing. I didn’t think it would happen here," he said. "I feel a little bit different today … maybe it could happen again."

Spokane School District officials tried to assure parents and students that the shooting was an isolated incident.

Spokane schools do not have metal detectors at entrances, but Benzel said security employees and Spokane police officers assigned to schools do a good job of monitoring potential problems.

Lewis and Clark principal Jon Swett posted a letter to parents and students on the school’s Web page Tuesday.

"Our mission is to provide a safe and caring learning environment for your child," Swett wrote. "Yesterday posed a difficult challenge in meeting that mission, but we will work hard to return your sons and daughters to a normal learning situation as soon as possible and will continue to support them in the days and weeks to come."

In his letter, Swett encouraged parents to talk with their children about the incident and to use a safety hot line to discuss safety concerns they may have about their children.

Benzel said it was important that students were away from campus when Fitzpatrick was shot and carried out Monday.

"They did not witness or hear it," he said. "That made for less trauma."

Swett’s letter was read in homerooms, and teachers talked about the shooting in every class before starting with lessons, Smith said.

Although the shooting saddened her, Smith said things were returning to normal.

"I still think our school is safe," Smith said. "Things like this happen all over the country."