Returning To School In West Orange: What Will It Look Like?

WEST ORANGE, NJ — What will the West Orange Public School District look like when students return this fall? That's still up in the air, but a plan is in the works – and the community still has a chance to weigh in, administrators say.

Recently, Gov. Phil Murphy laid out a plan to reopen schools across New Jersey after the state's coronavirus shutdown. Murphy said New Jersey schools can resume in-person instruction in September, provided their district creates a safety plan approved by their school board. But he also said he'll pull the plug on reopening if cases go up again.

Many teachers have since issued a cry for better job protections, worrying that a return to the classroom could endanger educators and children alike. READ MORE: Should New Jersey Schools Reopen This Fall? Take Our Survey

The first day of school for students in West Orange takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 8. See the district’s COVID-19 resource page here.

West Orange school officials are asking for the public’s feedback on reopening via an online survey, which can be seen here. The survey will remain open until July 20.

Superintendent Scott Cascone, who has previously supported Gov. Murphy’s decisions on schools, spoke about the district’s COVID-19 reopening plans at the West Orange Board of Education meeting on July 9.

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Earlier this month, Cascone released a detailed update on the planning process in West Orange (read the full text below).

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