West Orange School Renamed After NJ Astronaut Brothers: Scott, Mark Kelly

West Orange, NJ – Pleasantdale Elementary School in West Orange will soon have an out-of-this-world new moniker that honors astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly.

According to a school news release, Pleasantdale Elementary School in West Orange will be officially renamed “in honor of West Orange’s hometown heroes and astronauts.”

The West Orange Board of Education unanimously approved the decision on Monday, school officials stated.

• See related article: Senate Honors NJ Astronaut Scott Kelly: Essex County's Favorite Spaceman

Over the next few weeks, Pleasantdale teachers and students will work together to create a new name for the school. Pleasantdale Elementary Principal Joanne Pollara will propose five names to the West Orange Board of Education, who will then choose the official new moniker.

A ceremony will be held on May 19, at Pleasantdale Elementary School to honor Mark and Scott Kelly and celebrate the renaming of the school.

“It is not often that a community is able to recognize and honor native sons who both fit the definitions of ‘Hero and Pioneer’ in perpetuity so that generations to come will know where such accomplished individuals had their beginnings,” said Board of Education President Laura Lab. “Those beginnings helped mold them into the adults they have grown to be and at the same time offer our current students role models who can literally guide our children that they too can reach for the stars.”

While growing up in West Orange, the Kelly brothers attended Pleasantdale Elementary School, Lincoln Junior High and Mountain High School, graduating in 1982, school administrators stated.

“Mark Kelly is one of our country’s most experienced pilots with 6,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft, 375 aircraft carrier landings, 39 combat missions and more than 50 days in space,” school administrators stated.

• See related article: Astronaut Mark Kelly Announces Retirement

“Scott Kelly has logged over 8,000 flight hours in more than 40 different aircraft and spacecraft and has over 250 carrier landings," school officials stated. "Additionally, Kelly just returned after logging 340 consecutive days on the International Space Station, and now holds the American record for the longest unbroken stay in space.”

Their alma mater holds a special place in the hearts of the two brothers, according to school officials.

Mark Kelly visited Pleasantdale in October of 2015, and Scott Kelly video-chatted with students while aboard the International Space Station in January.

“Renaming the elementary school where it all began will personify how proud we are as a school district and community,” West Orange Superintendent Jeffrey Rutzky said. “The Kelly brothers’ achievements remind our children of the importance of passion, hard work, and dedication. My hope is that many students are inspired by Mark and Scott’s accomplishments.”

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.