West Orange School Reopening Goes Smoothly, With A Few Hiccups

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A historic first day of school took place in West Orange on Monday, with students logging online instead of attending class in person due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And for the most part, it went smoothly, administrators say.

Teachers – who were allowed to work from their classrooms or remotely from home – estimated that the overwhelming majority of students attended virtual classes on the opening day of school.

Superintendent Scott Cascone called Monday’s online attendance figures a “litmus test” for the district’s reopening plan, which came after months of intense preparation.

• See related article: West Orange Middle School Students Get Head Start On Unique Year

“Overall, we had excellent attendance for day one,” Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Curriculum Eveny de Mendez said.

“Greater than 80 percent of [teachers] reported that 90 to 100 percent of your students joined your Google Classrooms and attended your Zoom virtual classes,” de Mendez said. “We’re off to a good start.”

The biggest hiccup that took place Monday involved technology, with only 60 percent of items – including Chromebooks and connections – performing well, administrators said.

“This is the single most area in which we received feedback of items that need to be addressed immediately,” de Mendez said. “This was to be expected, given that we’re 100 percent virtual. Our technology teams are working diligently to resolve the issues and will reach out to all who requested support.”

• See related article: Massive Chromebook Distribution Starts For West Orange Students

Meanwhile, although the middle school fall sports season was canceled, the high school season is still on, with the notable exception of girls volleyball. Preseason practice begins this week.

• See related article: Most Fall Sports On, But 'Uncertainty' Remains At West Orange HS

Several parents offered comments about their children’s first day of class on a district social media post asking for feedback. Seen online:

• “Thank you so much for all the work that has gone into this very well thought out plan. The schedule is great and we love that the kids are getting live instruction.”
• “My WOHS freshman had a great first day. From what I’m seeing/hearing from other districts, WO got it right! The extra week was worth it!”
• “A little Chromebook crash but otherwise a good day.”
• “My kids all did great! One in liberty and 3 in my pleasant. My youngest is in 1st grade and I was a little nervous for him but he did great!”
• “Connection issues here and there but otherwise all good!”
• “I was super anxious and nervous yesterday and this morning, as well my 6th grader, however I was really surprised the way he navigate himself in this new journey of e-learning, my daughter was very confident and she managed school like a pro, I'm so proud of them and I couldn't tell them enough how proud I was for doing pretty well. Hats off to you kids on this new adventure.”

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