Cape Coral students return to school destroyed by Hurricane Ian 4 years later

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Elementary students walked the halls of the newly rebuilt Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8 School for the first time since 2022.

Hurricane Ian ripped off the roof and damaged the school beyond repair. Teachers, students and community members celebrated the reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by WINK News.

Teachers have started to fill their classrooms in the newly renovated Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8 School. While they're excited to welcome students back, they'll never forget the last four years.

READ MORE: Shutting off the lights, Cape Coral school packs up to move into new building years after Hurricane Ian

"When I first saw the damage, I just knew that we were not going to have the school anymore, and so that was, you know, very overwhelming," said Jennifer Medero, a literacy coach at the school.

Medero has been a literacy coach at Hector A. Cafferata Jr. School since 2005. She was there for the school's original opening and when it was damaged during Hurricane Ian.

"We wanted to continue to make sure that school was a priority, that the kids felt safe, and we just wanted to make it fun for them as much as we could," Medero said.

Principal Dr. Jason Kurtz made sure the teachers were recognized. The entire staff was recognized for their hard work, making sure students were greeted by a smiling face every day.

"You are the heart of Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Student School, and today certainly would not be possible without you," Kurtz said.

READ MORE: Hector A. Cafferata Jr. School rebuilds after Hurricane Ian in Cape Coral

The ribbon cutting for the brand new school centered around resiliency, sacrifice and honor. Traits that the school's namesake, a Korean War veteran, is known for.

"His mission, along with 220 Marines and Company F, was holding a three-mile mountain pass called Fox Hill, which was viable for 11,000 trapped Marines and soldiers to break free from the enemy," said Jessica Cafferata, Hector A. Cafferata Jr.'s granddaughter.

As students walk the new halls and playgrounds, they will be reminded of the heroic act and sacrifice that earned Cafferata a Medal of Honor. It was displayed in the school when it opened and was the first thing recovered from the wreckage the day after Hurricane Ian.

"There is a powerful resonance between Grandpa's grit and your own enduring strength," Cafferata said. "In both my grandfather's resilience and in yours, we see that human resolve conquers."

Every person who walks into the brand new office at Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8 School will be able to see that Medal of Honor on display.