Published 3:30 pm Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Many Bend-La Pine Schools students — with the exception of Silver Rail Elementary — returned to school Wednesday, nearly a week after a shooting at Silver Rail killed three children and a teacher.

Many parents and students were subdued as they walked onto campus early Wednesday morning.

April Paul, parent of a Juniper Elementary fourth grader and a Pilot Butte Middle eighth grader, said every day since the tragedy has been a struggle.

“I’m happy for the kids to be back,” she said. “Juniper Elementary has a great staff. But it’s surreal and shocking.”

Her fourth grader, she said, wanted to go back to school and see friends.

“We’re a small community so we’re all connected,” she said. “It’s written on everyone’s face what happened. It’s a lot louder here usually.”

Superintendent Steve Cook said schools would have additional law enforcement present on school grounds this week, split between the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Bend Police Department.…