SOMA Schools Will Be Open Full Week; SATs Are on Saturday

South Orange/Maplewood schools will be open for five full days the week of November 5, as Hurricane Sandy led to the cancellation of the annual NJEA teacher's conference that was originally scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9.

The latest information comes from Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca, who met with Superintendent Brian Osborne late Thursday afternoon.

"As long as the schools have power, they will be open," said DeLuca. Currently, only Columbia High School and Jefferson School in Maplewood have power. The Mayor said that all South Orange schools with the exception of the South Mountain Annex have power.

"Whatever schools can be open will be," said DeLuca, and schools will open on a rolling basis as they regain power.

In addition, DeLuca said the SATs will go on as scheduled this Saturday, Nov. 3.

but work crews were seen in the township today assessing downed power lines in some areas.

From the district:

Currently, power outages and hazardous conditions prevent schools from opening.  Several schools are without power; downed power lines pose a danger to children getting to school; and traffic patterns are compromised by fallen trees and nonfunctioning lights.   SOMSD buildings sustained only minor damage during the storm, and will be ready to open when power is restored and conditions ensure safe passage. If schools are safe to open next week, then SOMSD will have five full days of school next week from November 5 - 9.  

• Monday.  Elementary parent-teacher conferences scheduled for Monday afternoon, November 5, will be rescheduled at a later date, and all schools will have a full day session.  Breakfast will not be served 
• Tuesday.  All schools will have a full day session on Tuesday, November 6, with the previously scheduled professional development for staff rescheduled at a later date.
• Wednesday.  All schools will have a full day session on Wednesday, November 7, as previously scheduled.
• Thursday and Friday.  All schools will have full day sessions on Thursday, November 8, and Friday, November 9, as the previously scheduled annual teacher convention has been canceled by the NJEA.

Please note that the SAT test administration scheduled at Columbia High School for Saturday, November 3, will take place as scheduled.  Please allow extra time for travel to the testing site.