CHS, Seth Boyden and Most SO Schools Will Be Open Monday

Updted, 2:40 p.m. with email from the district, below.

Columbia High School and Seth Boyden School will be open Monday, Nov. 5, according to Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca.

Both schools have power. Jefferson School, which does have power, will NOT be open because the township emergency management team has determined that the area around the school is too "challenging" for students to navigate because of the large number of downed trees and wires.

At the moment, Tuscan, Clinton and Maplewood Middle School do not have power and will not be open. However, if power returns to those schools between now and Monday morning, the district will determine whether the buildings can be heated and made ready for students in time. The district will let parents know by 5:30 a.m. Monday morning.

In South Orange, all schools except the Annex will be open. Annex students will go to South Mountain School. 

Here is the text of the email from the district:

Columbia High School, South Orange Middle School, Marshall Elementary School, Seth Boyden Elementary School, South Mountain Elementary School (main campus only) WILL be open on November 5th, barring any unforeseen complications. 

South Mountain Annex students and staff should report to the “big school” until further notice, since the Annex is currently without power. 

Jefferson Elementary School will be closed on Monday, November 5th because of multiple instances of downed wires surrounding the school which create hazardous conditions. 

Maplewood Middle School, Clinton Elementary School, South Mountain Annex, and Tuscan Elementary School are still without power and are expected to be closed Monday, November 5th. We are working with PSE&G and municipal officials to open as quickly as possible. If power is restored and we are able to open any of these schools on November 5th, we will let affected families know via SchoolMessenger. 

Getting to School Safely 

SOMSD requests that all adults in the community assist children in getting to school. Parents should stay in custody of their children all the way to school. Please help them around obstructions, across streets and intersections, and make sure they stay away from downed power lines. Drivers, please drive slowly and exercise extreme caution. 

Transportation routes will be challenged by obstructed roadways. Please be patient and expect delays. If bus stops are obstructed, buses will stop at the nearest corner that is on the route.  

Schedule for Week of November 5-9 

Monday:          All open schools will have a full day session, and elementary parent-teacher conferences scheduled for Monday afternoon, November 5, will be rescheduled at a later date. Breakfast will not be served.

Tuesday:         All open 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 open schools will have a full day session on Wednesday, November 7, as previously scheduled.

Thursday:        All open schools will have full day sessions on Thursday, November 8, and Friday, November 9, as the previously scheduled annual teacher convention has been canceled.

Friday:             All open schools will have full day sessions on Thursday, November 8, and Friday, November 9, as the previously scheduled annual teacher convention has been canceled. 

Students with excused absences will be allowed ample time to make up work and assignments, and the excused absences will not count against students academically. 

More information is available in an FAQ on the district website:  www.somsd.k12.nj.us 

Please spread the word, since many families are still without power.