The Bethlehem Catholic High School saw students return on schedule for the first day of classes after the August 7 fire left 26 classrooms with significant damage.

The reduced number of classrooms saw the high schools approximately 1,500 students attending school for half days. Classes are split in to five, 30 minute segments. Grade 9’s and 10’s attend classes in the morning. Grade 11’s and 12’s get to learn during the afternoon.

The new schedule leaves the excess time for students to study. Students who would like to study at the school when they’re not in class are allowed to do so.

Gerald Lintag, a Grade 11 student at Bethlehem, says he was in Cypress Hills when he found out that his school had been set on fire.

“I started texting all my friends, I wanted to know all the info, how it happened. When I saw the images, I knew my school year would look different from last year.”

Lintag says he considered moving to Tommy Douglas after hearing the news, but decided against it.