Montclair Schools Open Wednesday, Some Bus Routes Changed

Editor's note: This story will stay up as a continuing thread for Montclair information regarding Hurricane Sandy. 

[Updated: 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6]

Montclair public schools will open Wednesday after being closed for more than a week following Hurricane Sandy. 

Power has been restored to all 11 Montclair schools, announced Superintendent Penny MacCormack in a press release Tuesday. In addition, class will be in session Thursday and Friday because of the cancellation of the New Jersey Education Association's annual conference.

The following bus stops have been changed: 

• Bus stops on Norwood Avenue and Elston Road are moved to Norwood Avenue and Glenwood Road.
• Bus stops on Elm Street and Elmwood Avenue are moved to Elm Street and Lexington Avenue.
• Bus stops on Clarewill Avenue and Grove Street are moved to Grove Street and Haddon Place.
• Bus stops on Park Street and Inwood Avenue are moved to Park Street and Buckingham Road.  
• Bus stops on Park Street and Haddon Place are moved to Park Street and Lorraine Avenue.
• Bus stops on Park Street and Alexander Avenue are moved to Park Street and Overlook Road. 

The bus route changes will remain in effect for the remainder of the week. Normal bus routes will be reinstated on Monday, Nov. 12.

Food service will also be available at all schools on Wednesday. 

[Updated: 11:20 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3]

Montclair public schools will be closed until Wednesday, Nov. 7, and school will be in session on Nov. 8 and 9 now that the New Jersey Education Association's annual conference has been canceled. 

Superintendent Penny MacCormack said on Friday that there are still four schools in the district without power. In addition, innumerable downed wires have yet to be deactivated and repaired around the township and district schools. 

"We don't feel that it would be safe transporting students to school," said MacCormack. 

District schools were originally scheduled to be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 6, due to elections. 

And in the wake of the NJEA canceling its convention on Nov. 8 and 9, MacCormack said students will be in class those days. 

Schools throughout New Jersey schedule closures during the annual convention. 

MacCormack said that the district made the decision after discussion with the Montclair teachers union. 

[Updated: 11:20 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1]

The Montclair School District announced today that power has been restored to Renaissance School and George Innes Annex. 

There still remains four schools without power: 

• Bradford School
• Nishuane School
• Northeast School
• Watchung School 

The extensive damage done to New Jersey's southern coastline by Hurricane Sandy has also forced the cancellation of the New Jersey Education Association's conference on Nov. 8 and 9. Schools are annually scheduled to be on break during the conference. 

The district has yet to determine whether schools will be in session those days next week, according to the district's website. 

[Updated: 4:50 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1] 

The Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, will be given on Saturday at the Montclair High School as previously scheduled. The test begins at 8 a.m.

No walk-ins will be accepted, however. 

A representative from the high school advised students who are scheduled to take the SAT at other schools on Saturday to call those schools and make sure the test will still be offered. 

[Updated: 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31] 

Montclair Public Schools Closed Thursday and Friday

Continuing power outages and extensive tree damage have caused the Montclair School District to cancel classes for the remainder of the week. 

The district is struggling with power outages in six of its schools. In addition, felled trees and debris at the schools and throughout the town have yet to be cleared. 

"We essentially have two issues," said soon-to-be Superintendent Penny MacCormack, whose term begins Thursday. "One is that schools have no power, and we have a few schools that we would want to have the trees removed before we would feel safe to reopen those schools." 

The schools currently without power are:

• Bradford School
• Nishuane School
• George Inness Annex
• Renaissance School
• Watchung School
• Northeast School (partial power)

The district was informed by Mayor Robert Jackson that power is "unlikely" to be restored by the end of the week, according a district press release.

MacCormack said she is "hopeful" that schools will open on Monday. However, she cautioned that any timetable depends upon the power company PSE&G getting power back on and removing downed wires. 

Three of missed school days will be covered by scheduled snow days in the district. It has yet to decided when students will make up the additional days off. 

"That would be something we'd want to spend some thoughtful time reviewing," said MacCormack. 

The scheduled SAT testing on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Montclair High School may also be in jeopardy. The district expects to receive a decision regarding the testing from the College Board on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the district. 

[Updated: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31]

Montclair State University Cancels Classes Through Sunday

Classes at Montclair State University are canceled through Sunday. The university posted on its website that classes will resume Monday, Nov. 5. 

Starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, access to the campus is available to both commuting and residential students who wish to use Sprague Library, the University Hall Computer Lab, the Student Recreation Center, selected dining facilities, and the University Health Center.

Intercollegiate athletic events will take place as scheduled. For more information, go to www.montclairathletics.com.

3rd Ward Community Meeting Canceled

The 3rd Ward community meeting scheduled for Thursday with Councilor Sean Spiller has been canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

[Updated: 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30] Interim Superintendent Clarence Hoover has confirmed that Montclair public schools will be closed on Wednesday as the district cleans up after Hurricane Sandy. 

"It's not safe for kids," said Hoover. 

Some of the schools are also without power. Hoover declined to comment on whether any of Montclair's schools received damage during the storm.

A decision about class on Thursday will be made Wednesday afternoon. 

[Updated: 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29] The Montclair School district will also be closed Tuesday, said Interim Superintendent Clarence Hoover Monday evening. 

He added that a determination on whether schools will be open on Wednesday will be announced around 5 p.m. on Tuesday. 

Montclair public schools will be closed Monday due to concerns over Tropical Storm Sandy.  

Throughout Sunday, Interim Superintendent Clarence Hoover said he had been communicating with various other district superintendents in Essex County about the storm. The projected severity of Sandy convinced them to proceed with caution and close schools on Monday. 

“The general wisdom of all of us was that we ought to close tomorrow [Monday],” said Hoover.  

At this time, the Montclair schools will reopen on Tuesday. Hoover said the district is “keeping its options open,” and a final decision will be announced regarding a Tuesday school closure around 5 p.m. on Monday. 

Montclair Kimberley Academy also recently announced it will cancel classes for Monday and Tuesday. 

Montclair State University announced it will cancel day and evening classes, in addition to all athletic events and activities, on Monday and Tuesday. Campus shuttle services will end Sunday at 11 p.m. and resume 7 a.m. on Monday. However, shuttle service will be limited to Clover Road properties, Sam’s Place and the Red Hawk Deck only. 

All state and county government offices will be closed Monday, too.  

New Jersey Transit . The closure will continue through 2 a.m. Monday. 

Decamp Bus Lines also announced it will not run buses on Monday.

Will "Frankenstorm" Crash Halloween?

The National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of showers and a high near 54 degrees on Halloween. But should Tropical Storm Sandy leave downed wires and fallen branches in her wake, the holiday in Montclair could be rescheduled for another year in a row. 

[Updated: 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 29] 

Monday's Special Planning Board Meeting Postponed

The Special Planning Board meeting scheduled for Monday has been canceled due to Hurricane Sandy. The new date for the Master Plan discussion and presentation will be Monday, Nov. 5 in at the municipal building, at 205 Claremont Ave.

Fourth Ward Community Meeting Postponed 

The Fourth Ward Community Meeting scheduled for Monday has been postponed. It will be rescheduled at a later date.

[Updated: 10:45 a.m Monday, Oct. 29]

Township Offices 

The township offices will be open until noon on Monday. The township offices will be closed Tuesday. 

Township Response

The following information was released by Montclair Township early Monday morning.

The Township response will be in two phases: hazard mitigation and storm damage restoration. During the height of the storm, our response will concentrate on hazard mitigation. The Township will be using the County Shelter at the Codey Arena. Alternative shelters have been identified and will be used if necessary.

 

[Updated: Monday at 11:50 a.m.]

Food Markets in Town

Whole Foods in Montclair is closed on Monday. 

Pathmark, at 35 Lackawanna Plaza, will be open until further notice.  

Kings food market, at 650 Valley Road, is open and will be open for normal store hours -- until 10 p.m. -- on Monday until further notice. 

A&P supermarket, at 510 Valley Road, will stay open Monday until 7 p.m. It will tentatively open Tuesday at 8 a.m. 

[Updated: Monday at 1:30 p.m.]

Parking Enforcement Suspended Monday and Tuesday 

The township issued the following statement:

The Township of Montclair urges individuals to stay off the roads. Parking enforcement will be suspended Monday and Tuesday -- if you need somewhere to park, you may park your car in municipal lots for free.

[Updated: Monday 2:15 p.m.]

Montclair Public Libraries Closed Monday, Tuesday

The main Montcliar Public Library and the Bellevue Avenue Branch library will be closed Monday and Tuesday due to the storm.