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Arapahoe High Students Prepare To Return To School For 1st Time After Shooting

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- Some Arapahoe High School students are preparing to return to school on Thursday for the first time since Friday's shooting.

They'll be allowed to retrieve the belongings they had to leave behind after the gunfire.

Many are trying to be positive about the experience.

"I think since we're going to be the first people that go in the school we need to go in and be the strongest," said senior Devan Foster.

Seniors and juniors will be allowed back in the building to collect their belongings. Some said they'll hold hands as a show of solidarity.

"We just want to come together and be there for each other, however that ends up looking and just be together and get through it because it's a big step to tackle but we're going to do it strong, 'cause we are," said senior Savannah Carlson.

On Wednesday teachers arrived at the school and embraced each other in the parking lot.

For these senior girls, they say going back will be a challenge.

"It's definitely going to be tough, no doubt, but it isn't going to define who we are and obviously how our senior year is going to go," said Foster.

Outside the school a display of candles and flowers and get well notes continues to grow for 17-year-old senior Claire Davis who is still in the hospital after she was shot in the head on Friday.

The gunman entered the school with a shotgun and fired five rounds before turning the gun on himself.

"We're a really great place and we don't want this to ruin it and this is our school and we're going to take it back," said Carlson.

With seniors and juniors returning on Thursday, freshman and sophomores will be back on Friday. Grief counselors will be available to students on both days.

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