article_snippet: (CNN)On any other Wednesday morning, the steps in front of the Joseph-Koenig-Gymnasium would be packed with kids on the steps in front of the Joseph-Koenig-Gymnasium way to class, discussing homework, chattering about last night's TV shows, or laying out plans for the coming weekend.
article_snippet: Instead, students approached in silence, carrying photographs and flowers.
article_snippet: At 10:53 a.m. Tuesday morning, this school in the small western German town of Haltern was changed forever by events more than 1,000 km (about 620 miles) away.
article_snippet: A week ago Tuesday we sent 16 happy young people and two young colleagues off on a trip,Headmaster Ulrich Wessel Headmaster Ulrich Wessel told reporters.
article_snippet: What was intended as a school exchange ended in tragedy.
article_snippet: The two teachers were identified as Sonja Cercek and Stefanie Tegethoff.
article_snippet: In Haltern Our had 1,283 students.
article_snippet: It is horrifying that now Our have 16 fewer.