Grindavík school to reopen after nearly three-year closure

Grindavík Primary School will reopen next week after an almost three-year closure following the evacuation of the town, mbl.is reports.

“We are just waiting for the school opening, to bring life and energy back into the building,” said Guðlaug Erlendsdóttir, the school’s principal.

Pétur G. Markan, mayor of Grindavík, described the reopening as “a wonderful feeling”, combining a sense of victory with the feeling that progress was being made. He said school activities were the heart of every community and a key condition for Grindavík residents to consider returning home.

The town’s preschool resumed operations earlier this month. Guðlaug said it had been wonderful to see the building fill with life again, adding that hearing the children there was “simply wonderful” and an important step in rebuilding the community.

Twenty-four children are currently registered at the primary school for the coming school year. The final number is unlikely to be known until the school opening on Tuesday, after parent meetings are held. Some parents may still be undecided, Guðlaug said.

She expects most of the children’s families to plan to move back to the town when permanent residence there becomes possible. The number of pupils could therefore increase during the school year.

Before volcanic activity began on the Reykjanes Peninsula and the town was evacuated, Grindavík Primary School had 550 registered pupils and around 100 teachers.

The school is working closely with emergency responders because of the possibility of further volcanic activity and evacuations. “The safety of both pupils and staff is absolutely our priority,” Guðlaug said.

Clear evacuation plans are in place for both the primary school and the preschool. The plans will also be presented to parents, and regular drills will be held. The first drill is scheduled for next week.