BILLY SHIELDS: It's a rebuild effort almost three full years in the making after a fire decimated Fox Elementary School.

Basically, all that was left was the shell of the building.

We also had a lot of water in the basement, which destroyed all the mechanical equipment.

BILLY SHIELDS: These are restored historic window frames, though damage is still visible.

A nod to the original structure built on Hanover Avenue in 1911.

JASON KAMRAS: One of the reasons that it took a little bit... a little bit of time is that it is a historic building, and we're using historic tax credits to fund the reconstruction.

BILLY SHIELDS: Dozens gathered outside in the cold last week to watch one very specific thing, hoisting this cupola back onto the roof.

DANIELA JACOBS: So if you recall, during the fire the cupola actually fell through the center of the building and was destroyed.

So it's been rebuilt and ready to go back on top.

For many here, the fire was a traumatic moment.

JILLIAN GOLDENBAUM: It was devastating.

I woke up to all these messages from people, and then watched the news and cried.

DANIELLA JACOBS: Words don't even describe it.

It was just so devastating for the entire community.

The history of this building.

What it means to this community.

I can't even- that whole time was just a big blur for me.

BILLY SHIELDS: Daniella Jacobs points out, the past three years, Fox students have basically been studying in exile.

So when the time came to watch the cupola, she and many others gathered here looked up in anticipation.

DANIELLA JACOBS: For the kids, it was just important for them to stay together.

So even though, you know, we went virtual, then we went to First Baptist Church, then we moved to where we are right now in Clark Springs.

All those moves were difficult, but they came through it.

BILLY SHIELDS: Just as the cupola has returned, so will the students.

Fox Elementary is slated to reopen this fall.

Billy Shields, VPM News.