West Orange School Gets Visit From Mark Kelly, Gabby Giffords

WEST ORANGE, NJ — When Kelly Elementary School Principal Joanne Pollara looked out her office window last week and saw former astronaut and Essex County resident Mark Kelly and his wife, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, she knew that it was going to be a good day.

“[Kelly and Giffords] were in town to make several scheduled appearances, but said they couldn't be this close to us without stopping by to see us,” Pollara said after the couple’s visit to the West Orange school on Thursday. “Mark and Gabby left us all feeling so grateful that they chose to spend a few minutes of their time with us.”

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Kelly, a former astronaut, grew up in West Orange and attended Pleasantdale Elementary School along with his brother and fellow astronaut, Scott Kelly. Pleasantdale School was renamed Kelly Elementary School in 2016 in their honor.

• See related article: West Orange School Renamed After NJ Astronaut Brothers: Scott, Mark Kelly

Giffords made history as just the third female member of the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona’s history. She served until her resignation in 2012 after surviving an assassination attempt.

• See related article: Reflections on Rep. Gabby Giffords' Shooting

Although they only had a few minutes to visit the school, Kelly took the chance to speak to students, who were already gathered for their “NED” assembly, which teaches them to promote kindness to others.

According to Pollara, a special bond has grown between the Kellys and the school, with the astronauts making several appearances to spend time with students and staff, including a few broadcasts from the space shuttle while Scott Kelly spent a year in space.

• See related article: Astronauts Give West Orange Students Back-To-School Advice

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Photo: West Orange Schools