STATESVILLE, N.C. -- Statesville Middle School principal Pam Helms didn't know what to expect when students returned to class Monday, one week after seven teenagers died when a speeding car chased by a police officer crashed in Iredell County.

With three school counselors and several visiting counselors on hand before the morning bell rang, Helms was prepared if any of the school's 600 students had an emotional outburst.

Instead, she said, "the morning was somber ... it was eerily quiet around here."

Six of the seven teens killed in the wreck had attended Statesville Middle School, located about 40 miles north of Charlotte, in recent years, she said. District Attorney Garry Frank is still reviewing the videotape and consulting with investigators before making a determination about whether the officer involved in the chase will face any charges.

A preliminary review of a videotape of the chase taken from the officer's patrol car led Highway Patrol investigators to conclude there was no wrongdoing by the officer.

The time between the wreck and the resumption of school gave students some time to deal with their emotions, Helms said. "They've had a week to deal with this, and honestly I believe they are cried out," she said.

By lunchtime, there was plenty of noise in the hallways and in the classrooms.

"It was almost like it was before Christmas break," Helms said. "The kids were a little too loud, and some were lagging behind instead of going back to their classrooms."

In normal times, Helms might have been annoyed with such behavior. On Monday, she was relieved that her students were acting like young teens again.

The seven teens -- all between the ages of 13 and 18 -- died early Dec. 29 while joyriding after a Troutman police officer pursued their car, which was later reported stolen to police, weaving and speeding on U.S. Highway 21.

Killed in the crash were Antonio Miller, 13; Quentin Reed, 18; sisters Antoinette Griffin, 13, and Erica Stevenson, 15; Dominique Hurtt, 15, and first cousins John Lindsey Myers Jr., 15, and David Summers III, 14.

A counseling area was set up in the school's media center, where students could seek help. While some students did take advantage of the counselors, Helms said the number was smaller than she anticipated.

None of the crash victims had a driver's license and none was wearing a seat belt.

Troutman police officer Keith Bills began chasing the car after he saw it weaving in its lane as it headed north on U.S. 21 into Statesville.

The stolen Dodge Intrepid had a temporary "doughnut" spare tire on the right rear and was traveling at between 80 mph and 100 mph at the time of the accident, investigators said.