The more than 400 children of Sandy Hook Elementary School who survived last month's shooting in Newtown, Connecticut - will head to a new school on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the kindergarten through fourth graders and their parents were invited to tour Chalk Hill Middle School - which was transformed into an elementary school.

The school - in the neighboring town of Monroe - has a new security system - and armed police will be on duty for the first day.

Newtown School Superintendent Janet Robinson.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) JANET ROBINSON, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, NEWTOWN:

"The children are coming in. They are so excited to see their teachers. And the students coming in completes a circle. That's what's missing right now, is getting our students back."

On December 14, a gunman opened fire on Sandy Hook - killing 20 children and six adults before killing himself.

The incident re-ignited the national debate over gun control.

The FBI said last month - there was a record number of background checks - required to buy guns in the U.S. - suggesting some Americans feared more about their safety - and worried lawmakers could try to ban certain firearms.