Schools

Matawan Aberdeen Schools to Reopen Monday

After being closed due to power outages in the aftermath of Sandy, Matawan Aberdeen Schools will reopen Monday, Nov. 12.

Public schools in Matawan and Aberdeen will reopen Monday, Nov. 12 after shuttering their doors for Sandy on Monday, Oct. 29.

Transportation to schools will resume as normal and lunch will be served at all schools.

Superintendent David Healy posted a letter to the school community on the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District website, explaining the challenges faced after the storm.

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According to Healy, Strathmore Elementary School was the first to regain power on Nov. 4. Lloyd Road School and Matawan Regional High School did not regain power until Thursday Nov. 8. A water main break on Wednesday, Nov. 7 affected Matawan Aberdeen Middle School, but the break was repaired and the school now has water.

In addition to power outages, Healy explained that schools could not reopen until buses were able to refuel and Chartwells was able to properly clean out spoiled food.

Find out what's happening in Matawan-Aberdeenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

None of the schools sustained significant damage during the storm, according to Healy's letter.

"The buildings withstood the hurricane’s wind and rain and with the exception of some downed trees that have since been removed, our properties remain unscathed. I would like to thank our facilities staff, food service personnel and many others for their efforts in working diligently to prepare our buildings and grounds," Healy wrote.

Since Nov. 8 and 9 were originally scheduled days off for the NJEA teacher's conference, a total of eight days were missed. The district has four emergency days built into the schedule and will have to make up four additional days, Healy explained in his letter.

Healy assured parents that the district is willing to work with families who are still facing Sandy-related hardships.

"Our mission is to support those individuals and families affected by Hurricane Sandy while ensuring that a quality teaching/learning process continues. For those families who have been displaced, relocated, are without power, or the like, please contact your child's building principal immediately to provide him/her with pertinent information regarding your specific hardship or circumstances," he wrote. "We will work with you to do what is best for your children while minimizing any distruption to their lives and maintaining consistency in their education."


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