Attendance at 89 Percent Throughout Westfield School District Friday

Following an unexpected near-two-week break courtesy of Superstorm Sandy, students throughout the Westfield school district returned to class Friday.

According to Westfield schools' spokesperson Lorre Korecky, attendance was at 89 percent on the first day all district schools reopened. Originally students were given both yesterday and today off due to the annual New Jersey Education Association convention, held in Atlantic City. But for the first time in its 158-year history, the event was canceled, also a result of the storm.

Students who had made previous plans and were unable to attend school today will not be penalized for their absence, according to Richard Mattessich, President, Westfield Board of Education

Because of fallen trees and downed wires, 70 of Westfield's roads were closed as recently as Wednesday, Nov. 7, causing Westfield's chief of police and other town officials to deem it too dangerous for students to travel.

Three of the districts' schools – Westfield High School, Edison Intermediate School and Roosevelt Intermediate School - opened yesterday for an abbreviated session. 

Caution was advised when traveling to and from school today as recovery and restoration efforts by the town and utility companies continue. As of this morning, 656 Westfield households were still without power, according to PSE&G, but the utility said the majority were expected to be restored today

While the  a raucous French farce about a group of guests and staff at a Parisian hotel whose attempts at "l'amour" go hilariously wrong, was scheduled to take the WHS stage next week, it has been postponed. It will be presented on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1st at 7:30 p.m.

The College Night planned for Thursday, Nov. 15 at WHS will take place as scheduled. Representatives from over 80 colleges will be in attendeance and are intending to bring "care packages" for Westfield residents, Korrecky said.