ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi Pref. — In a high school gymnasium carpeted with mud, a Japanese boy slipped and was helped to his feet by a U.S. Navy sailor, while close by a group of U.S. soldiers and local teachers mopped together in neat lines.

The unique cooperation launched Wednesday at Ishinomaki Technical High School in Miyagi Prefecture was part of efforts to get the school back up and running prior to the start of the new academic year Friday.

While all of the roughly 700 students were confirmed safe after the March 11 quake and tsunami, many of their parents and relatives as well as two recent graduates remain missing, according to the school.