Students Return to School in Dale County

Students in Dale County went back to class Tuesday.

Schools were out since the stand-off in Midland City started a week ago.

Teachers and administrators at Midland City Elementary School have been getting ready for students to return by training with counselors and the child advocacy center.

Several counselors were on hand for children to talk to and school principal Phillip Parker said students are coping pretty well.

"We sort of had a plan. (We asked ourselves) how do we handle the situation? We have had some training by a counselor. We are going to take it minute by minute and day by day," said Parker.

School counselors encourage parents to use their own discretion when talking to their kids about the events in Dale County.

"They need to go with their instinct as a mom and dad, said Tabitha Burgess, the school counselor at Midland City. "What are the types of things that (the parents) want their children to know? There are some things that little children don't need to know, but they need to reassure them that they are as safe as they can be. They are safe with mom and dad, safe at school, and safe as humanly possible."

As for how the school will handle the little boy held hostage in the Midland City bunker? Burgess said "we are going to keep an eye on him, help him get back to a normal schedule, which he will love."