Classes to Resume at All Seven Schools in Vernon on Thursday

Power was restored to Vernon Center Middle School at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday after a day-long ordeal for education and emergency management officials in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

But when Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway finally received the call that the lights were definitely on at VCMS, she hung up, picked the phone up again and recorded a message for parents, guardians and caregivers that yes, all seven local schools would have classes on Thursday.

She then breathed a sign of relief.

"I sincerely thank you for your support and patience during the hurricane," she told residents in a letter.

It was a long day that began when the sun had just come up and ended after it set.

Here was the scenario according to emergency management and education officials:

Rockville High School was back on the grid in the morning.

As students reported to Center Road School, VCMS, which is so close it seems one could throw a rock from one parking lot to thew other, was still dark. Tree and line crews worked on a transformer near the intersection of Hartford Turnpike and Meadowlark Road all day.

From 5 to 5:30 p.m., the power in the area was turned off, the system was tested and it all worked. The power was back on and school could be in session on Thursday.
 
A crew from the Department of Public Works had to be sent to the intersection of Robin and Center roads when walkers were heading to Center Road School because a wire remained down and a tree resting on a group of wires still needed to be removed to clear the way for power in that neighborhood. A police cruiser was parked in the area when students went home.

Crews were on the scene after finishing up at Hartford Turnpike and power was restored at 9:26 p.m.

Crews also headed to the Fox Hill nursing facility.

Crews were dispatched to the Box Mountain communications tower, a hub for emergency and mutual aid transmissions.

All five elementary schools had classes on Wednesday.