INDIANAPOLIS -- It was a difficult day for students at Noblesville West Middle School as many of them returned to the campus for the first time since a classmate and teacher were shot last week.
Teachers greeted students across the district with signs, a show of unity and a reassurance of strength as the community continues to cope with what happened.
PHOTOS | Students greeted with chalk art at Noblesville West
Last Friday, a 13-year-old student allegedly opened fire inside a classroom critically injuring 13-year-old Ella Whistler and her teacher, Jason Seaman.
Seaman is credited with tackling the gunman and stopping the shooting.
WATCH | Hero teacher Jason Seaman meets his students, gives high-fives atbaseballgame
For the final week of classes, Noblesville West will open on what they are calling a "reduced schedule" to offer counseling, team building and support to any student who needs it. Students at West were greeted by counselors, principals, and teachers. More than 50 counselors are on hand at West.
On the Indianapolis Colts' first OTA practice of the season, the team wore #NoblesvilleStrong T-shirts.
All proceeds from the shirts will go to Jason Seaman and Ella Whistler, who were injured in the Noblesville West Middle School shooting on May 25th.
Please consider donating to the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation here: https://t.co/JuOin9mo8M pic.twitter.com/baic0yZ1fb
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 30, 2018
As a show of support for the students, "Moms Demand Action" and other volunteers wrote chalk messages outside the middle school Tuesday evening - those messages will greet the students who return to the school on Wednesday.
Organizers say no gesture is too small and they want to show the students that the community cares about them.
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