Extra Days Off For West Orange Schools Due To Unused Snow Days

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Due to a “relatively mild” winter, the West Orange Public School District only used a single snow day this academic year. And that will mean extra days off for students on April 28 and May 26, administrators announced Tuesday.

Interim Superintendent C. Lauren Schoen sent a letter to the school community about the calendar shifts. Schoen wrote:

“It is our hope that this message finds you well and that you are enjoying the transition from winter to the spring season. The weather has been a bit unpredictable, and, at times harsh, and yet we find ourselves in the final segment of the academic school calendar with 2 additional days remaining on the 180-day schedule. This year our school calendar initially included 3 days to accommodate a need for closure due to inclement weather. However, the winter season was relatively mild and we only needed to utilize one snow day.”

“As in the past, when there are snow days that were not utilized, we incorporated them back into the calendar as a full day closed,” Schoen continued. “Much time, thought, and deliberation has been dedicated by our administrators in determining the days in which the district can safely close without upsetting many important plans, especially at a time when testing, events, field trips, fine art performances, and eventual promotion exercises can finally take place.”

With that in mind, here’s when the extra days off will happen, the superintendent said:

April 28, 2023 - closed [changed from full day open]

• The Spring Musical at Roosevelt Middle School will perform on schedule.
• Edison Middle School has rescheduled the Honors Assembly from Friday April 28 to Thursday May 4. (Gray Team - 9:08 am to 10:03 am; Yellow Team - 10:06 am to 11:01 am; Green Team – noon to 12:57 pm)

May 26, 2023 - closed [changed from early dismissal]

“You may anticipate additional correspondence directly from your school related to the schedule change,” Schoen wrote. “The 2022-2023 district calendar will be formally revised and up for board approval at our April 24 West Orange Board of Education meeting. We are glad to provide ample notice now so that our families, faculty and staff can adjust accordingly.”

“We look forward to the days ahead, and wish you a wonderful upcoming Spring Break,” Schoen concluded.

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