On Nov. 24, Superintendent of Schools Damion Macioci announced a school closure for the two weeks following Thanksgiving break. After consulting with health officials, an email was sent informing parents and students of the all-virtual schedule as a precautionary measure due to the previous holiday.

In addition, all students would follow the new bell schedule during the closure. The new bell schedule has blocks one to five from 7:42 a.m. to 12:17 p.m. followed by an 88 min. lunch break, and finally block six going from 1:45 to 2:35 p.m.

Parents were reminded of the needed adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines, in hopes to get back to in-person learning sooner. Macioci informed parents of the strikingly high cases within our Northeast Region and that following “high-risk” protocol was necessary to get staff and students back in school.

“Increased cooperation is essential from our families regarding travel notification and keeping children home when immediate household members are sick, exhibiting symptoms or awaiting COVID-19 test results,” Macioci said.

West Essex, although not transmitting COVID within the building, has been experiencing a large amount of impact. The impact of COVID has made the in-person population of students and staff continually decrease over time. Macioci ended the email with a reminder of the support the district gives all of the families. 

“Please know we support and care about you and your families, and the health and well-being of your children and loved ones will continue to be a top priority,” Macioci said.