All staff, most students accounted for in Joplin School District

JOPLIN, Mo. -- The Joplin School District has accounted for all of staff and 90 percent of its students.

Superintendent C.J. Huff made the announcement Thursday. Officials had asked all students and staff to contact the district after Sunday's tornado.

KOAM-TV reported that all students are accounted for at Columbia, Duenweg, Irving, Kelsey Norman and Stapleton elementary schools.

The district is also taking steps to help families in need, and a group of students from Joplin High School plans to meet this afternoon at a Target store to collect supplies and pray for their classmates.

The district's Facebook page says reconstruction began Thursday on East Middle School. Repairs were expected to begin Friday at Cecil Floyd Elementary and the administration building.