Columbine High School students return to recover their belongings  MESSAGE BOARD: Denver school shooting

In this story: Hoping for closure Summer renovations RELATED STORIES, SITES

June 1, 1999
Web posted at: 3:39 p.m. EDT (1939 GMT)

LITTLETON, Colorado (CNN) -- Students, many in tears, retrieved their belongings Tuesday as they entered Columbine High School for the first time since the April 20 attack by two classmates that left 15 dead.

Backpacks, purses, books, keys and glasses were among the items left behind when students and teachers ran from the building or hid when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened fire, killing 12 students and a teacher before shooting themselves.

Teachers met outside with students who were in their classes when the attack began. Then, in groups of about 15, the students were led into those classrooms.

They then were escorted to the auditorium where they could pick up items left in their lockers. Students were not allowed into the cafeteria or the library, where most of the shooting occurred.

"Three areas are still off-limits. The library and science room are still a crime scene. The cafeteria is being cleaned up," said Rick Kaufman, spokesman for Jefferson County Public Schools.

Hoping for closure

Zach Piercy was among the first to reenter the school.

"A lot of my friends were trapped in the school," he said. "Not knowing exactly what happened or why it happened, I think it will be good for them to get back in the school and bring an end to all this," Piercy said.

Some students hugged each other as they gathered outside, some choked back tears and many seemed relieved at the chance to go back inside the building, hoping it would bring closure to the tragedy.

Summer renovations

Counselors and members of the clergy were on hand to help students handle their emotions. Parents were invited as well, but most students came on their own.

Columbine students finished out the school year at nearby Chatfield High School.

Students who were unable to make it Tuesday will be allowed in the school Wednesday morning, but Kaufman said he expected most of the 1,900 students to retrieve their belongings before then.

The district will spend the summer renovating the rooms damaged by bombs, bullets and water. Construction crews were arriving alongside students.