KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffBlanchard Elementary heads back to class

It almost looks like the fire never even happened.

The teacher workroom where the fire started inside Blanchard Elementary School is still being repaired, but the rest of the school was ready for the third, first day of school this year.

Blanchard students and staff were excited to open up the front doors of their building and get back to work Monday morning.

There was lots of energy and a sense of relief to be back home.

"It will be good to get the first day under our belts because this has been a long road and it's just good to be back home again," said principal Dr. Barbara Kohlfeld.

"This is our third, first day of school so I think we're good at it. But this is definitely the most exciting one," added kindergarten teacher Heather Fisher.

The halls that were once covered in debris are now clean.

Overall, things are pretty much back to normal.

"We just go with the flow," Kohlfeld said.  "The staff is so amazing. They're so optimistic and cheerful and just do whatever they have to do. It's a lot of hard work and preparation, but they always do what they need to do to step up."

"We all got teams of people together to come in and help," Fisher said.  "It was really fulfilling to see some teachers had groups of five to ten people come in and help put their classrooms back together."

As for the kids, Dr. Kohlfeld says they've been resilient, and the changes of venue haven't affected their concentration.

That said, they're glad to be home.

"I'm excited because we have our actual playground back," said 2nd grader Brooke Fugate.

"I'm very excited because we get to do all the things that we did before," said 2nd grader Abbey Mosier.