As COVID-19 devastatingly hit the United States in March of 2020, schools prepared for a new way to teach their students safely. Virtual learning at Nutley High School was immediately put into place and students have been learning from home ever since. When Nutley Public Schools reopened this September, all students were taught virtually and the schedules differed from last spring. NHS classes are separated into G and H days, that are followed three days consecutively.

Back to school looked a little different this year. Not only did the 2019-2020 school year get cut at the end due to COVID-19, many schools, including Nutley Public Schools,  still weren’t ready to allow students to come back into the building for September. Nutley students are continuing with virtual schooling for the start of the school year in their homes. For many, if not most students, this has been a difficult transition, missing out on parts of school that they’ve looked forward to for a while.

Having my senior year come to a close has made me reflect on my high school career. The four years I spent in Nutley High School were the best four years of my life. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and made so many memories. If I could give a few pieces of advice to the underclassmen I would say to take advantage of every opportunity, don’t be afraid to be yourself, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

I vividly remember my first day at Nutley High School. The butterflies walking into the building and the uncertainty of upperclassmen made me scared to be a freshman. It was before block scheduling and when homeroom was still a thing. I’ll always have memories of my first day of high school, however, I really don’t recall my last. All that comes to mind is hearing the announcement that we won’t be going back for two weeks and me believing that would be the case.

Since early March, schools, universities, and colleges around the globe have shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. While many hope that quarantine will soon lift, students around the world hope to return back to their classrooms in the fall. Public schools await until the fall gets closer to make any permanent decisions regarding the next year, but colleges and universities might have a different plan. 

The thought of no school for most students sounds amazing, but this closure has proven to be anything but. The Coronavirus pandemic has closed over 124,000 United States public and private schools and has affected over 55 million students. Many states have been ordered to close all schools in their states. This left most schools with only three to four months until the year finished. School districts across the country had to quickly plan how to continue the school year in a way that would keep students home due to how rapidly the pandemic was growing.

The students and staff of Nutley High School have not been in the building since Friday,  March 13 due to the spread of Coronavirus across the country. They transitioned to virtual learning that began the following Monday, March 16. Staff had the option to come in that day for training on the Schoology Learning Management System. 

The senior class of 2020 has been working hard for 12 years to have their one last chance to dance away at prom and get handed their diploma before moving on to the next chapter of their lives. Due to the coronavirus, NHS has been operating remotely.  Students and staff continue learning and teaching through virtual learning. The senior class has been wondering what will happen to prom and graduation. Will it happen or will they have to find another solution? 

The Night of Nations took place on Thursday, February, 2020 at 5:30 in the NHS cafeteria. Tickets were sold in advance for $8. However, on the day of the event, they were sold for $10. At the event, there were different types of food, music to help recognize diversity in Nutley community, and schools. This event was created to help the community understand traditions and beliefs, and find new things they may enjoy.

As a little girl, where my dance career would take me was always questionable. From dreaming of owning my own studio, to being on Broadway, my goals changed as I grew older and dreamed more realistically. However, performing on an international stage this winter in Poland and becoming a world champion never crossed my mind, at any age. An experience like that happens to one in a million, and I am beyond grateful I was chosen. 

Mr. Bryan Abbio and Mrs. Jessica Coppola are the class advisors for the graduating class of 2020. Abbio and Coppola have been organizing and planning the activities since the class of 2020 entered as freshmen. Mr. Abbio is a history teacher at NHS and Mrs.Coppola teaches English. Mrs.Coppola says she feels, “being an advisor is a juggling act between doing right for the class and being an effective teacher.” 

Spotlights, music, and fun will fill the air as the Nutley High School seniors get to experience a night they will always remember. Every year, Nutley participates in a Senior Fashion Show that gives the students one more opportunity to express themselves and have fun with their friends. On January 9, 2020, the show will begin at 7:00 pm at the Valley Regency in Clifton. The upcoming show will cast 91 seniors, and is headed by senior mom, Mrs. Gemma Abernovich. 

Nutley High School is filled with talented and determined teenagers who engage in theatre. The International Thespian Society is an honor society for students in high school who participate and are involved in the performing arts and stage production. To be eligible for induction, students must earn 10 total points, which is roughly the equivalent of 100 hours of careful and devoted work in theatre, in all different kinds of capacities.

The ship has sailed as the senior class of Nutley High School took their lap around the Hudson on September 17, 2019 for the annual Senior Cruise. This tradition commemorates the beginning of the end of high school. With this event comes glamour from top-to-bottom as students fish for top notch outfits and pay for perfected hair. But, the anticipation is now over as the fancy food has been digested and the over-the-top pictures have been posted to Instagram

As the Nutley High School wraps up the end of the year, the staff prepares for graduation on Wednesday, Juen 26 and looks back at the Senior Prom, held on June 13 at The Grove.  

The Senior Prom took many months of behind-the-scenes planning, according to class advisers, Ms. Lauren Uckar and Ms. Jessica Coppola. “We needed to be in contact with the venue to get all the arrangements ready, and pricing and establishing a contract,” says Mrs.Uckar. “We have to have a centerpiece for each table and decide on a color scheme.”

Things To Do During Summer Vacation

Summer vacation is the chance for teenagers to experience things they’ve never done before and live life to the fullest. With no school, summer vacation allows us to do things we truly enjoy. Whether it is spending time with our family and friends to having a job for the summer, students have many options over summer break.

Many young children fantasize about what our senior prom will be like, waiting for the day to become a reality. As it turns out, sometimes the vision inside your head, doesn't become a reality. But for better or worse, it's a right of passage in your teenage years.

With the scorching temperatures and endless distractions, summer can be one of the hardest times to stay motivated in your fitness efforts. It takes real dedication to hit the gym when you could be lounging by the pool. We all want to look and feel our best, especially in the summer, but once summer arrives, many people struggle to keep up with their fitness routines because of vacation and social plans. However, summer is a great time to stay in shape, because there are plenty of activities for everyone.

When it comes to summer, reading is probably the last thing that comes to kids’ minds. They want to go to the beach and hang out with their friends, but as they do so they will not continue to grow and learn. Summer reading comes with its benefits even if everyone cannot see them.   

As the senior class moves forward from Nutley High School, colleges are getting ready for the new incoming freshmen. On June 26, the class of 2019 wi graduate. The estimated 300 graduating students of Nutley High School are eager to start their new lives away from home.