Newtown students return to school after last week's shooting

Students return to Hawley Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 18, the first day of classes since 20 students and 6 adults were killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

A school bus drives past a farm while picking up students on Dec. 18 in Newtown, Conn.

Children return to school on Dec. 18 in Newtown, Conn. Children who attended Sandy Hook Elementary will attend a school in a neighboring town until authorities decide whether or not to reopen Sandy Hook.

Easton police officer J. Sollazzo greets staff, parents and students returning to Hawley Elementary School on Dec. 18, in Newtown, Conn.

Easton police officer J. Sollazzo greets parents and students returning to Hawley Elementary School on Dec. 18 in Newtown, Conn.

By Tracy Connor and Alexandra Moe, NBC News
With heavy hearts and amid high security, thousands of children in Newtown, Conn., returned to school Tuesday for the first time since a gunman killed 20 students and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementary.

It was a tiny glimmer of normalcy in a town that was also burying two more youngsters, but officials made it clear this will be no ordinary school day.

“This is a day to start healing,” Newtown High School Principal Charles Dumais wrote in an e-mail to parents before six schools opened two hours later than usual, with police officers and counselors on hand.

A student looks for a place to leave flowers at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting at the entrance of Newtown High School on Dec. 18 in Newtown, Conn.