Mahwah Plans For Graduation, Cancels Events: Superintendent

MAHWAH, NJ — Mahwah schools haven't announced a plan for graduation, but are in the process of determining what a ceremony may look like.

In a Thursday, May 7 email, Superintendent of Schools Lauren Schoen said the district is "in the process of formulating a plan for graduation," but has made a decision on other end-of-year events.

End-of-year field trips, junior prom, spring concerts and spring musicals have been cancelled, she said. A decision has yet to be made for senior prom.

Students who rely on school lunch have been able to receive those meals since the school was first closed, and will continue to receive them for the rest of the year, she said.

According to the district's health-related school closure preparedness syllabus, meals that contain a sandwich, two servings of fruits and vegetables and cold milk are available in a to-go style from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meals are prepared by food service workers wearing gloves and protective masks, and are distributed to one family at a time.

Final exams have been cancelled, according to Schoen, but she praised staff and parents for what she says has been a successful remote learning experience.

"This remote instruction environment would not be as successful as it is to date without the support of our parents," she said. " A great deal of time has been expended by our staff to plan very creative and meaningful lessons for our students and the execution of these instructional lessons and experiences has been remarkable. I remain impressed and in awe of our staff’s ability to adjust to this remote environment so successfully."

On May 4, Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey schools would remain closed for the rest of the academic year, and remote learning would continue through June.

Private schools that have a longer academic year will remain closed until at least June 30.

Read more: New Jersey Schools Closed For Rest Of Academic Year: Gov. Murphy

Ridgewood High School has announced plans for a socially distanced graduation to take place over "several hours and days" this summer, and is making plans for a second, in-person ceremony, tentatively scheduled for July 28, dependent on social distancing regulations and restrictions on large gatherings.

Read more: Ridgewood High School Plans Socially Distanced Graduation