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 Columbine principal Frank DeAngelis speaks to the students during the morning rally (Part 1) Windows Media 28K 80K Columbine principal Frank DeAngelis speaks to the students during the morning rally. (Part 2) Windows Media 28K 80K The father of Anne-Marie Hochhalter, a student with severe injuries, spoke with CNN's Martin Savidge before the reopening of school. Windows Media 28K 80K 'Hug your kids every day': CNN's Martin Savidge talks with the father of Anne-Marie Hochhalter, seriously wounded in the shooting (April 27) Windows Media 28K 80K 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 Images of the 'taking back' of Columbine High Recent school shootings MESSAGE BOARD: Keeping schools safe

August 16, 1999
Web posted at: 1:28 p.m. EDT (1728 GMT)

In this story: 'Zero tolerance' for intolerance Parents show their support 'Focus on getting school started' 'Still scary' Not everyone returning Investigation continues RELATED STORIES, SITES

LITTLETON, Colorado (CNN) -- The "taking back" of Columbine High began with a pep rally Monday just before 2,000 students returned to school -- some apprehensive about going back to the scene of last spring's deadly shooting rampage, others eager to resume studies.

"Columbine, we are back," Principal Frank DeAngelis shouted at the outdoor rally, his comments from a stage frequently punctuated with equally spirited cheers from enthusiastic students, many of them wearing T-shirts that read "We Are ... " in front, with the word "Columbine" on the back.

"Most of us are ready to go back to our school," Jennifer Despain, a 17-year-old junior, told CNN.

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

The upbeat "take back the school" rally was also designed to foster unity and tolerance among the school's large and diverse student body.

"At Columbine High School, it is essential that you have respect for your fellow students who may have different opinions and ideas," DeAngelis said. Harris and Klebold had considered themselves outcasts in the school's social order.

"As we embark on this new school year, people are emotionally in different places. It is vital that we respect what people are feeling," the principal said.

That respect, DeAngelis said, his voice rising, means "we will have zero tolerance for cruelty, harassment, excessive teasing, discrimination, violence and intimidation. ... Derogatory comments, verbal or written, made about others will not be tolerated. Racial, religious and sexual slurs or jokes will not be condoned."

Student body president Mike Sheehan told cheering classmates they had "prevailed" after the April 20 shootings. "Although we were surrounded by terror and destruction, we still stood strong," he said.

Students flow through the front doors of Columbine High School following a rally and ribbon-cutting ceremony

"We have overcome. Each of us is the spirit of Columbine. Welcome home, Rebels," Sheehan said, referring to the school's mascot.

DeAngelis told the students, "You may be feeling a little anxious, as you get ready to start your classes, but you need to know that you are not in this alone. There are people to support you."

Earlier, as student arrived at Columbine, 400 parents and alumni lined a sidewalk in front of the school, clapping to show their support.

A U.S. flag that has been at half-staff since the shootings was raised as students repeatedly chanted "We are Columbine" before entering the renovated building.

Inside, 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

Classes began as a "normal" school day, Barbara Monseu, a Jefferson County Schools official, told reporters.

Monseu said that enrollment was higher compared with last year, and that "all students who wanted to come back are back." She said she saw only one student talking with a school counselor.

The absence of a moment of silence or formal recognition of the slain students and teachers was "not deliberate."

Jennifer Despain says she is ready to return to Columbine High School, which has been renovated to hide any scars from the April massacre

The "focus was on getting school started," Monseu said. "Certainly they are in our hearts. They are students we will never forget."

Like many of her friends, 17-year-old Columbine student Kim Blair has mixed feelings about returning to 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. Still, some of the Columbine shooting survivors won't be joining their classmates -- at least not on the first day back to school.

Anne-Marie Hochhalter is still recovering from her injuries, but plans to return to school later this year

Richard Castaldo, 17, paralyzed by spinal cord injuries, is the only shooting victim still in the hospital. Learning to get around by wheelchair, Castaldo has told classmates he'll eventually return to school.

Anne-Marie Hochhalter has similar plans. The teen, who nearly died from her gunshot wounds, was released from the hospital last week.

Paralyzed from the waist down, she's still weak and has chronic nerve pain, her father told CNN, explaining why Anne-Marie will wait awhile before she begins her senior year at Columbine.

"But she's doing great in all other respects," said Ted Hochhalter. "She's got all of the skills that she needs to become independent. It's just going to take some time."

In preparation for her return to Columbine, Anne-Marie has already visited the school -- a "tasking" experience, her father said.

"She got emotional for a short period of time, and then moved on," Ted Hochhalter said. "I thought that was ... an incredible show of strength, emotionally, for her."

Following the killing of their son Isaiah, Michael Shoels, pictured above at his son's grave site, and his wife, Vonna, moved from Littleton

For others, though, the emotions of April 20 are too much to even stay in Littleton.

Michael and Vonna Shoels, whose oldest son, Isaiah, was the only black student killed, believe racial hatred helped pull the trigger.

The Shoels, who have moved out of Littleton, have filed a $250 million lawsuit against the Klebold and Harris families. They also want money from the community healing fund to help pay for a new home.

While authorities investigating the Columbine shootings have conducted at least 4,000 interviews and followed nearly as many leads, they say there's no indication that anyone other than the two gunmen participated in the attack.

"At this point, we have no physical evidence that would indicate the involvement directly of anyone other than Harris or Klebold," said John Kiekbusch of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Lance Kirklin, a student injured in the April attack, participates in the "Take Back the School" rally

But, he added, investigators are still looking for information "that might lead to any potential criminal charges ... in terms of activities prior to the attack."

Kiekbusch said Klebold's parents have been interviewed and were "cooperative." Harris' parents "are working with the district attorney's office," he said.

"Their concern is that any additional (legal) exposure that they may have, based on statements they would make as part of the criminal investigation. But at this point," Kiekbusch said, "there's no evidence that would indicate there are any kind of criminal charges pending against them."

Correspondent Martin Savidge and The Associated Press contributed to this report, written by Jim Morris.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.