Thursday, September 1, 2011

SCHOOLS WILL OPEN ON TIME, BUT BRING BOTTLED WATER

Superintendent of Schools Brian Osborne issued this email to parents Thursday:



September 1, 2011
Dear Parents and Guardians,

This is to advise you that schools will open as scheduled. On September 6, school is open for kindergarten through seventh grade and ninth grade students. Schools will be in session for all students, grades K-12, on September 7.

Buildings and classrooms will be ready to welcome your students to the new school year. Although Hurricane Irene caused some water damage in a few locations, the maintenance and custodial staffs have been working to have buildings ready for opening day. 

New Jersey American Water http://www.amwater.com/alerts/alert16064.html  has advised all Maplewood residents to consume only bottled or boiled water until further notice, due to the damage done to one of the pump stations that supplies Maplewood with water. The district has an emergency supply of potable water but would appreciate you sending bottled water (no glass, please) to school each day until the warning is lifted.

In Maplewood schools, all water fountains are covered, the food services department is following all recommended food preparation procedures, and appropriate precautions are in place in the nurses’ offices. There will be hand sanitizer in each classroom and nurse’s office, and children will be reminded to use it after they have washed their hands in the bathrooms. While the advisory is in effect, you may want to supply your child with a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

Please note that South Orange homes and schools receive their water from a different water company, which was not compromised. Therefore, the schools located in South Orange are not impacted by the water advisory.

The district is working closely with the Maplewood Health Department and will communicate with you as soon as notice is received that the water is safe to drink.

The safety and welfare of your children and our staff is our main concern.

Sincerely,


Brian Osborne, Ed.D.
Superintendent       



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