Connie White Library Media Center dedicated at Kelly School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — It’s not every day that a teacher has a library named after her, and it certainly isn’t every day that an astronaut and a congresswoman are there to help cut the ribbon. But on Nov. 15, that is just what happened when Kelly Elementary School, formerly called Pleasantdale Elementary School, dedicated […]

West Orange students head back to school

WEST ORANGE, NJ — It was back to the classroom for West Orange public school students on Sept. 6 and, despite the sweltering temperatures, there was excitement and smiles. Superintendent of Schools Jeff Rutzky spent the day visiting the district’s 12 schools, beginning his morning at Gregory Elementary School, where he welcomed students, staff and […]

Kelly ‘Full STEAM Ahead Day’ honors namesake brothers

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Kelly Elementary School held its first-ever “Full STEAM Ahead Day” on May 25, dedicating it to the school’s namesake astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly, who are West Orange natives. Students in grades K through five teamed up to explore different types of science, technology, engineering, arts and math hands-on activities and […]

Kelly library blasts off with space theme

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Administrators of Kelly Elementary School and Soyka Smith Design Studios presented a design plan for renovations to the school’s library media center at the April 16  meeting of the West Orange Board of Education. The renovations will transform the current library into a space-themed learning center during the course of the […]

Kelly, Giffords pay surprise visit to Kelly Elementary School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Kelly Elementary School had some very special surprise visitors on Nov. 2 when astronaut Mark Kelly and his wife, U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, stopped by to say hello. Students were enjoying their “NED” assembly promoting kindness to others when Principal Joanne Pollara was called into the office for an ill student. […]

Astronauts send special message to Kelly Elementary School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Kelly Elementary School received a very special back to school message from former West Orange residents astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly on Sept. 6. Pleasantdale Elementary School was renamed Kelly Elementary School to honor the school’s most famous graduates in May 2016. Principal Joanne Pollara was enthusiastic about the note from […]

Town celebrates the Kelly brothers

School district renames Pleasantdale as Kelly Elementary School, mayor honors astronaut twins

Town celebrates the Kelly brothers

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange’s internationally famous astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly returned to their hometown May 19 for Kelly Family Day, an out-of-this-world recognition of their NASA accomplishments that included the renaming of Pleasantdale Elementary School in their honor. Hundreds of students and teachers joined residents, government officials and Kelly relatives in counting […]