It was back to school on Thursday for the more than 400 students of Sandy Hook Elementary, who attempted to put last month's massacre behind them and resume their education in a new school building in a different town.

Monroe Police Lieutenant Keith White told reporters that a lot of the students "were happy to see their friends that they hadn't seen in a while" and "were excited about the new school." Jittery parents were allowed to stay with their children for a "short time," White said, and they expressed their concerns in a meeting with police in school officials.

Located in Monroe, Connecticut, the school formerly known as Chalk School is about seven miles from Newtown, where the shootings occurred. Decorations and desks from the old location, as well as backpacks and other personal items, were moved to the new school to help the students feel at home.

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt at an event in Arizona, will be in Newtown on Friday for a private meeting.