(CNN) -- For the first time since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Christine Wilford plans do something remarkable on Thursday that once was routine: drop her child off at school. 

The last time her 7-year-old son, Richie, was in class was on December 14, when a gunman smashed his way into his school in Newtown, Connecticut, and killed 26 children and adults. 

As shots rang out, Richie's teacher locked the door and huddled her students into the corner as the shooter roamed the hallways, wielding an AR-15 assault rifle and firing. 

When it appeared safe, the children were then hurried away to a nearby fire station, where teary parents either reunited with their sons and daughters or learned that they had been killed. 

Nearly a month later, Wilford said her son still has trouble sleeping and is often scared by loud noises. 

Newtown chooses faith, charity, hope 

But on Thursday, he will join hundreds of other Newtown students returning to class for the first time since the tragedy. 

"We think it's good he's going back," Wilford said. "If I leave my child anywhere, I'm leaving a piece of my heart, so it's difficult to leave him." 

'I think I'll be OK,' Sandy Hook student says after first day 

But Richie apparently isn't afraid and says he's looking forward to seeing his friends, she said. 

They won't be attending Sandy Hook Elementary, which police say remains part of an ongoing investigation into Adam Lanza, the gunman who also killed his mother before opening fire at the school. 
How old is Christine's son? What is his name? Who is his mother? What does she plan to resume doing with Richie? When? True or False: That day will be the first time the school has opened since the tragedy. What does Richie have difficulty doing? Does anything startle him? What? In the article, about how long has it been since the shooting? Where is Sandy Hook? Who was the criminal? What firearm did he carry? How many people lost their lives? Where did the survivors escape to? How many kids are going back to school? What does Wilson compare her child to? What is hard for her to do? What is Richie eager to do? Is he fearful of returning to school?
7-years-old Richie Christine Wilford drop her child off at school. on Thursday true sleeping yes loud noises Nearly a month later Newtown, Connecticut Adam Lanza AR-15 assault rifle 26 a nearby fire station hundreds a piece of her heart to leave him to see his friends No