Paterson students return to school amid heat wave, aging buildings
A ceiling collapse occurred in July at School Three, a building that is over 100 years old.
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Students in Paterson are heading back to school, but many will be dealing with big changes due to heat and aging buildings.
A ceiling collapse occurred in July at School Three, a building that is over 100 years old. As a result, grades K through 2 will now be attending the Dale Avenue School. Grades 3 to 8 will go to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex.
"We thought of all the different logistics. We did a lot of walk-throughs and a lot of dry runs to make sure that the first day and the rest of the school year will go smoothly,” said Paterson Schools Superintendent Laurie Newell.
“This is what we do. This is our craft, to be able to have that opportunity to welcome more students in and accommodate them and make them feel welcome. It's a challenge that we want,” said School Board Commissioner Manny Martinez.
Students throughout the Paterson School District were released early Thursday at 1 p.m. due to the extreme heat conditions and a lack of air conditioning in most classes.
The schools will also be dismissing early Friday, Sept. 8.
