PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Middle school students at Madeira Beach Fundamental School returned to their school on Monday.

The school grounds, located on the Tom Stuart Causeway, have been closed since September due to damage from Hurricane Helene.

Damage was extensive at the school, including to classrooms, the grounds and the building’s electrical system.


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But not all of the repairs are done.

Starting today, middle school students will return to the second floor and portables located at the campus until all work is complete.

Students have been attending school at Osceola Fundamental High School for the past few months.

And as a reminder, school start and end times have been updated.

The middle-school grades start time is 8:15 a.m. and ends at 2:53 p.m. and classes for elementary students start at 9:45 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. 

Students, as well as teachers and district officials, are happy to be back. 

"As students got out of their cars today, to be able to talk to them, to hear their excitement, to be back to a place they are very familiar with, it's very good," said Pinellas Schools Area 3 Superintendent Dywayne Hinds. "It's almost like a weight lifted off your shoulders."