A Step towards Normalcy in Nutley Schools

With over a year of virtual learning under America’s belt, schools across the nation have made an effort to give students both a fun and informative school year despite the restrictions of the pandemic. In a huge step towards normalcy, the Nutley Board of Education recently announced that elementary school students would return to school five days a week for in-person instruction. Mr. Michael Kearney, the principal at Radcliffe Elementary School, discussed the details of the return in a virtual interview. 

This in-person return was planned for Monday, April 19th. In a letter addressed to the community by Nutley Superintendent Dr. Julie Glazer, it was announced that in-person instruction for five-days a week would now be available to elementary school students. Parents could choose to opt for in-person school for five days per week until 12:45 or virtual instruction based on their own child’s needs and their own preferences.

In preparation for this return, the elementary schools have been routinely cleaned, with an additional requirement for mask-wearing for every student and staff member. Students and staff have also been required to social distance at least three feet apart, as per the updated CDC guidelines. 

In a comment to the Maroon & Gray, Director of Curriculum, Janine Loconsolo shared thoughts about the return. “We are excited to welcome students back five days a week. We know how much being in person, with peers, supports students academically, socially, and emotionally, and we are working hard as a school community to support our students and their families during this challenging time.”

The principal of Radcliffe Elementary School in the Nutley district, Mr. Kearney, expressed similar enthusiasm about the expanded return to in-person instruction. “I love it. I think it’s fantastic. I’m so happy that the kids are back in person. It’s great to see the kids everyday, I think they’re getting so much out of it. I think it’s successful so far.” 

In the past year, teachers across the nation have been forced to make various changes and overcome challenges to make learning seamless and productive for students. “It has been a tremendous lift for staff. Teaching kids in one environment has its own challenges, but teaching kids in multiple environments is difficult,” Mr. Kearney says, “Teachers are used to standing up and moving around the room. Our teachers really don’t have that luxury, because it’s online.”

Despite the multitude of difficulties that have arisen from virtual classrooms, Nutley students and staff have had a productive and overall successful school year thus far. “The year has had its challenges, but I have to tell you, from someone who lives it everyday, I am extremely proud of what our teachers have been able to accomplish, our parents have been able to work with us, and also the children have been amazing. It’s amazing what they can do,” Mr. Kearney stated.

With this step towards a more consistent school setting, both teachers, students, and staff have hopes for a more normal school year in the fall. “My hope for the remainder of this year is to push for a bit more normalcy,” Mr. Kearney said, “Maybe this year's graduation might have a little bit of a different meeting. Certainly we are recognizing the promotion of our students moving on to the next phase of their educational experience, but you know, maybe we are also graduating from some of the restrictions that we live under right now.”

With these changes in action, the Nutley district looks forward to schools becoming progressively more normal in both the near and far future.

*After the completion of this article, NHS and JHWMS students also returned to five days of in-person instruction on May 10.