WO students send hundreds of holiday cards to U.S. troops overseas

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Hundreds of military personnel stationed overseas will have their holidays brightened with handmade cards thanks to the caring students in West Orange schools. For the past few years, students and teachers have created beautiful and unique handmade cards with messages of encouragement and support. The efforts began after WOHS Class of […]

Santa to visit West Orange schools

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Every year, Santa Claus tours the various neighborhoods of West Orange just after Thanksgiving to “ring in the season.” This year’s event will be Sunday, Nov. 25. In past years the tour wound its way through various neighborhoods in town, but this year’s Santa Tour has scheduled stops at each of […]

Badlani Foundation awards $2K grant to Gregory School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Nikhil Badlani Foundation presented Gregory Elementary School with a $2,000 grant award at the PTA meeting on Oct. 10. The grant award was presented by Sangeeta and Sunil Badlani to Gregory Principal Makeida Estupinan. NBF had issued a challenge to West Orange public schools that the school team raising the […]

Legionella bacteria found in several school district water fixtures

WEST ORANGE, NJ — After finding low levels of legionella bacteria in some water samples from Redwood Elementary School in August, West Orange School District contracted with Garden State Environmental to test all schools and district facilities for legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease. According to a Sept. 25 update from the district, testing […]

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 […]

NJ law mandates up to 20 min. of recess

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Board of Education discussed New Jersey’s new recess legislation and how the law will affect the school day at each of the district’s seven elementary schools at its Aug. 27 meeting at West Orange High School. The law, P.L. 2018, c. 73, which was signed by Gov. Phil […]

Estupinan prepared to take over at Gregory this Sept.

WEST ORANGE, NJ — After eight years at the helm of Gregory Elementary School, Principal Michele Thompson is retiring and handing her office over to Makeida Estupinan. Officially approved at the July 16 West Orange Board of Education meeting, Estupinan is taking over as principal after three years as the assistant principal at Gregory. “Overall […]

Estupiñan named new principal of Gregory Elementary School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Makeida Estupiñan has been named the new principal of Gregory Elementary School following Board of Education approval on July 16. Estupiñan, the former assistant principal at Gregory, will replace retiring Principal Michele Thompson beginning Sept. 1. Estupiñan was selected from a broad field of candidates during multiple levels of interviews with […]

Elementary schools celebrate graduating seniors with ‘clap-outs’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — As the countdown to graduation neared, graduating seniors visited their elementary schools on June 13 to be recognized by current students with “clap-outs.” The seniors walked through the halls of their old schools and were cheered by students and teachers as they passed through. The visit was not only fun for […]