As COVID-19 spread across the US, schools all across the country have been effectively shut down. While schools continue to do online classes, assignments, and meetings, students still miss the experience of being in schools, near their teachers and friends. Nutley High School closed its doors on March 13th, and as of the publishing of this article, it is unclear when the school will open again. As a result, this has left hundreds of students wishing to be back into the building.

The circumstances of the world we are living in right now almost seem like a false reality; something you do not believe could be true until it gets to you. The CoronaVirus pandemic is history in the making, and it has affected millions of people from all around the world. The virus is spreading like a wildfire, as it hops from person to person changing, affecting, and even killing some. I, myself, was unfortunate enough to receive the news that I had tested positive for COVID-19.

Across the United States and around the world, virtual learning has become the new normal for many elementary school, middle school, high school, and college students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With social distancing currently underway, virtual learning has become a source where students can finish their required school year from home for the rest of the year, if needed.

On March 16, 2020, Nutley Public Schools started virtual learning at home due to the rapid outbreak of COVID-19.  Students and staff are all at home trying to make the best of this time and are trying to stay connected and active with school work.  While this was something to adjust to, many are doing their best to keep up with learning and teaching at home. 

In early March 2020, The Maroon and Gray sat down with Nutley High School’s custodians, to talk about some of their responsibilities around the building. Head Custodian Mike Spagnola, with Custodians Anthony Moltedo and Jose Rivera, shared what their daily schedules look like. 

While the students of NHS are expected to arrive in their first class by 8:05 A.M., many custodians arrive at the building by 5:30 A.M. They turn off the alarms, unlock all doors, turn on all the lights, and prepare the building for the students to come in. This process can take up to 45 minutes.

On February 28, 2020, the Italian and Spanish National Honor Society held a 5 vs. 5 soccer tournament after school in the small gym of Nutley High School.  It was run by Mr. Gaetano Sollazzo, who is an Italian teacher and head of the Italian National Honor Society. The event was created to raise money for the Italian and Spanish Honor Societies. 

As the Class of 2020 inches closer to the end of the year, the graduating class will finish their senior year with an epic bang. On June 20th, at MetLife Stadium, students will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have fun with friends at Project Graduation. 

Technology has become a major part of the 21st Century and it plays a huge role in education systems today. Computers, especially Chromebooks, have become a huge part of the Nutley Public Schools. In Nutley, every student in grades 6-12, has access to a Chromebook and uses them in almost all their classes. This allows students to be able to research information, type papers, contact teachers for help, have easy organization, and to have a more interactive learning environment.

On February 25th and 26th, the smell of cupcakes filled the halls of Nutley High School, as the Advanced and Third Level Culinary Students hosted their first ever cupcake war. This Cupcake War was held in the gymnasium during the lunch block. Culinary teachers, Mr. Huggins and Mr. Gulardo helped prepare their students as they used their knowledge of cakes from previous class lessons to participate in this different kind of learning experience. 

Just under 2,000 children a year die from cancer throughout the world. As ethical, global citizens, it is our duty to do all we can to support these children and their families.

On March 12th, Nutley High School held a College Fair for its students to come and learn about possible school options. Before the fair began at  7p.m, the school held an AP meeting so that the students could learn about the benefits that come with taking college level courses. The fair lasted until 8:30 p.m, giving students time half to learn about their possible college choices.

On Monday, February 10, Nutley High School opened a largely student-run Coffee Shop, available for the NHS staff. This shop is run by Mrs. Megan Della Fave and provides students in the Structured Learning Experience and Career Awareness Program, an opportunity to work and give back to the NHS community. “The store was the idea of Director of Special Services, Mrs. Helen Doyle-Marino, even before she became the Director,” says Mrs. Megan Della Fave.

by Meghan Macaluso, Special Reporter to the Maroon & Gray

Relay for Life is an annual event in the township of Nutley in May where citizens and students create teams to compete to see who can raise the most money for the American Cancer Society. Team members take turns walking around DeMuro track for one night to help raise awareness and fund cancer research. The event is open to all.

Mrs. Michelle Yasso sat with the Maroon and Gray on January 9th and was interviewed after winning Support Staff of the Year as part of the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. She described her occupation as a member of the child study team, supporter of students with difficulties, and an evaluator for the students. However, in others' eyes she is so much more. Mrs.

Within Nutley High School, there are many courses and programs that help benefit the students.  One of these programs is the Rutgers Allied Health Program. Over the years, this program has been present and has taught many students about the medical field and also helped prepare them for college.  

Nutley High School is the biggest building in the school district. With that comes many different tasks to juggle between the students, teachers, and staff.  Michelle Alberti and Kimberly LaScala are the NHS main office secretaries. Both play a very important role in keeping the building in check. Mrs Alberti has worked at NHS for four years and Mrs. LaScala has been here for a little over a year. Both are now experts regarding what goes on during a day at NHS. 

Jade Giron, a junior at Nutley High School, recently applied for Yale’s 2020 Summer Program and was accepted.

Instrumental teacher, Vincent Vicchiariello, has been teaching in Nutley for 10 years in total, but is currently in his second year at Nutley High School. Mr. Vicchiariello has taught music for 11 years in total.

Every year, Nutley High School rewards their students with high quality academic performances. In a program called the National Honor Society, the students work with each other and their designated advisors to prepare for a ceremony that occurs every spring. The National Honor Society is run by NHS English Teachers Michael Gurrieri and Cheryl Rossillo.

NHS senior Aakash Patel and junior Anish Kumar were both awarded Eagle Scouts honors on December 17 at the Franklin Reform Church. Aakash and Anish were both awarded a pin and a certificate, symbolizing their dedication and motivation to being an Eagle Scout. The awards stands for everything they’ve done for the community and their personal achievements.