Security improvements Identity badges to be worn by all students and faculty 16 color video cameras that will watch over the school inside and out A reduction in the number of outside entrances A third uniformed guard to join a roving patrol, which includes an armed sheriff's deputy VIDEO CNN's Anne McDermott meets with Richard Castaldo, a Columbine student whose life changed on April 20 Windows Media 28K 80K  IN-DEPTH SPECIAL: Are U.S. schools safe? INTERACTIVE Recent school shootings MESSAGE BOARD: Keeping schools safe

August 16, 1999
Web posted at: 10:23 a.m. EDT (1423 GMT)

In this story: 'Still scary' RELATED STORIES, SITES

LITTLETON, Colorado (CNN) -- The "taking back" of Columbine High School begins Monday as 2,000 students return to school, some eager to resume studies, others apprehensive about going back inside the scene of last spring's deadly shooting rampage.

It's been four months since Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, stormed the school with guns and bombs, killing a dozen classmates and a teacher before committing suicide. Twenty-three others were injured.

Before classes began, Principal Frank DeAngelis led the students, teachers and staff in a "take back the school" rally. Following the rally, a U.S. flag that has been at half-staff since the April 20 shootings was raised and the school's doors opened.

Parents and alumni planned to shield students and teachers from media attention by forming a human barrier along a path between a secured parking lot and the school.

The Jefferson County school district, which is imposing tight restrictions on the media, informed photographers and television crews that taking pictures of injured students was prohibited.

Inside the school, bullet and shrapnel holes have been plastered and painted over. And there's a new wall of lockers blocking the entrance to the second-floor library where 10 people died.

Even the sound of the fire alarm -- which rang non-stop for hours on April 20 -- has been changed to prevent flashback fears should it go off again

Like many of her friends, 17-year-old Columbine student Kim Blair has mixed feelings about returning to a building where so much blood was spilled. "It's still scary ... it's creepy," she said in advance of Monday's reopening of the suburban Denver school.

"I'm really excited to get our school back," said Julie McGinley, 15, who was in the cafeteria eating lunch when the shootings began.

"But I'm nervous, too," she said over the weekend. "All summer I've been trying to live life as normal. Being back there is going to trigger a lot of memories."

If those memories become too much, mental health counselors are on hand. Likewise, a team of substitute teachers is available should any regular teacher need a break.

As Littleton eases back to normality from the pain, it wants to be seen as a community of victors overcoming tragedy.

Correspondent Martin Savidge and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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