For the second time this school year, kids at Cardinal Elementary walked through the doors for another “first” day of school. After a lightning strike forced the school to close shortly after the year had begun, students returned Tuesday ready to resume their routines.

“Can I get a high five?” 9th District School Board member, Shavonda Dixon asked enthusiastically to the weary-eyed kids. “Welcome back, kiddos.”

The elementary school was hit by a lightning strike last Monday evening, which ignited a fire on the roof that was quickly extinguished by first responders. The second floor, home to second- and third-grade classrooms, sustained the most damage. Rainwater from the severe storm flooded the affected classroom wing hallway.

Richmond Public Schools officials acted quickly after the lightning strike, bringing in contractors that Monday evening to assess the damage. Superintendent Jason Kamras confirmed that the building’s infrastructure remained intact. Following prompt repairs and cleanup, more than 800 students from Cardinal Elementary were given an extended break, with a few extra days off last week, coinciding with the Labor Day weekend.

“It was scary for them. My daughter, she says, ‘Mommy, I need to go to school,” Cardinal Elementary parent Glenda Reye said when she took her two daughters to school the day after the lighting strike, but was turned away by officials. “She [now] feels good. She’s ready.”

Kamras said the damaged roof has been fully repaired, along with the interior drying process. However, ceiling tiles and insulation are still being replaced, a task expected to take about a week. In the meantime, second- and third-graders will hold their classes in the gymnasium.

“[The roof] looks brand new,” the superintendent said. “We hope that probably within a week, we’ll be able to be back in classrooms like normal.”

Cardinal Elementary’s building is about five years old, though it officially opened in 2020 and remained unused until 2021 due

to the pandemic. Dixon called the newer infrastructure “a blessing in disguise” as it made the repair process easier for contractors.

“The structure was built foundationally strong and it allowed [students] to get back to work very quickly,” she said. “That was definitely something that added to the success and the progress.”