( CNN ) -- Friday . For many people , it is a word that signals the end of the week . But in Moore , Oklahoma , Friday , August 16 , will mark a new beginning . It will be the first day of school since an EF5 tornado ravaged the town this spring , killing 24 people -- including seven students at Plaza Towers Elementary school . Plaza Towers and other schools in Moore have a special place in the heart of Robert Romines . He is a native of the city and , in July , became the superintendent of the public schools system . For Romines and others , the approaching school year is generating a mixture of feelings . `` There 's not any one emotion : excited , happy and there 's also some grief still there . We are about rebuilding , moving forward -- not just for the school district , but also for the community , '' says Romines , who is himself a product of the Moore school system . A total of 26 schools were impacted by the combination of the May 20 tornado and another storm several days later . As a result , Romines estimates those properties suffered at least $ 55 million in damages . Plaza Towers and another school , Briarwood Elementary , were considered total losses after taking direct hits . Both schools will have temporary locations this year , with groundbreakings set to take place soon on new foundations . It 's a plan Romines says will put the two buildings on track to re-open in August of 2014 . And as Moore students prepare to hit the books this week , their teachers are stocking up on supplies and readying their classrooms , thanks to donations from corporations , charities and the public . To date , Romines says much of that assistance has come in the form of products . But he adds that , as rebuilding nears completion , the school district 's cash reserves will be stretched . And he stresses that money will be critical to the system 's daily operations going forward . `` We want to rebuild bigger and better and for student safety . Monetary donations in the form of cash for tornado relief to our general fund would be very helpful . We do ask donors to be specific about where they want the money to go . A lot of checks and money orders have said 'tornado relief to Moore public schools . ' We 've worked hard to keep that separate so we can track where that goes . '' One way you can assist is through the Rising from the Storm fund , which can be accessed through Moore Public Schools or directly at Fundly.com . For those who prefer to donate via phone , Romines encourages them to call ( 405 ) 735-4223 . And the superintendent has a message for those who continue to keep the residents of Moore in their thoughts : `` We are strong , we are resilient . We are moving forward , rebuilding and doing what 's best for the community with the understanding that we wo n't forget that day or the families and lives affected by the storm . We 're here for the long haul . '' For additional ways to help the students in Moore , Oklahoma , please visit the following : . Red Cross of Oklahoma . Feed The Children .
Children are returning to school in Moore , OK for the first time since tornado devastation . Schools sustained $ 55 million dollars in damages . A total of 26 schools were affected -- two were a total loss . Superintendent says , `` We are strong , we are resilient . We are moving forward ''