The Newtown schools superintendent said they were preparing for a "normal" day, but it was probably anything but that when classes resumed for Sandy Hook Elementary School students for the first time since a gunman killed 20 of their classmates.

With their original school still being treated as a crime scene, the students were due to attend classes at a refurbished school in the neighboring town of Monroe on Thursday. Law enforcement officers have been guarding the new school, and by the reckoning of police, it is "the safest school in America".

Still, Newtown superintendent Janet Robinson said officials would do their best to make the students feel at ease.

"We will go to our regular schedule," she said. "We will be doing a normal day."

On Wednesday, the students and their families were welcomed at an open house at their new school, which was formerly the Chalk Hill Middle School in Monroe but renamed as the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Students received gift boxes with toys inside and shared joyful reunions with teachers.

One father, Vinny Alvarez, took a moment to thank his third-grade daughter's teacher, Courtney Martin, who protected the class from the rampaging gunman by locking her classroom door and keeping the children in a corner.

"Everybody there thanked her in their own way," he said.

Parents greet their child as they get off a school bus returning from the new Sandy Hook School in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, January 3, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The gunman, Adam Lanza, also killed his mother at the home they shared in Newtown before driving to the school, where he slaughtered 20 children and six educators, including the school's principal. Lanza fatally shot himself as police arrived. Police haven't released any details about a motive.

Numerous police officers on Wednesday guarded the outside of the Monroe school, which is about 11 km from the old school, and told reporters to stay away.

"I think right now it has to be the safest school in America," Monroe police Lieutenant Keith White said.

Teachers attended staff meetings at the new school on Wednesday morning and were visited by Governor Dannel P. Malloy before the open house, White said.

Robinson said Chalk Hill School has been transformed into a cheerful place for the surviving students to resume normal school routines. She said mental health counselors continue to be available for anyone who needs them.

During the open house, Alvarez said his 8-year-old daughter picked out a stuffed animal to take home from the school library.

"I'm not worried about her going back," he said of his daughter Cynthia. "The fear kind of kicks back in a little bit, but we're very excited for her and we got to see many, many kids today. The atmosphere was very cheerful."

Several signs welcoming the Sandy Hook students to their new school were posted along the road leading to the school in a rural, mostly residential neighborhood. One said, "Welcome Sandy Hook Elementary Kids", while a similar sign added, "You are in our prayers".

Associated Press