'Filled With Joy:' Mendham, Chester Students Return To School

MENDHAM, NJ - The "Sunday Scaries" and "first day jitters" were cranked up to 11 for parents, teachers, administrators and students in Mendham, Chester and Long Valley as in person learning resumed Wednesday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic switched everything to all virtual.

And by all accounts, it was a resounding success.

In an opening unlike any other, Mountain View in Mendham Borough hosted two “first day of school” sessions - one in the morning, and a second in the afternoon. Students arrived eager to get back into the building, return to their routines, and of course, to establish connections with their peers and teachers. Aligned with the school’s year-long focus on student wellness and relationships, the opening day included getting to know you activities, decorating virtual lockers, and both in-person and virtual classroom scavenger hunts. Like any other year, there was both excitement and nerves, but according to Principal Aimee Toth, there was much more of the former than the latter.

Diced up into manageable cohorts, adorned in masks and surrounded by other safety precautions learning returned to the physical classroom and students said they were thrilled to be there.

“It felt a bit odd seeing some people and even stepping inside the building, however, I was also filled with joy that I got to learn something in physical school,” one student said.

“I was really excited to be back in school. I'm excited to learn, to see my friends, and for things to sort of be back to normal," another noted. "I think the day went really well and all the rules are well put in place.”

Mendham Borough District Superintendent Mitzi Morillo told Patch the Mendham Borough School District opened the 2020-21 school year with optimism knowing that as a strong, committed school community they will navigate any challenges ahead while celebrating accomplishments.

"The anticipation of the new school year was responsible for many sleepless nights, however the result on Aug. 26 made it all worthwhile," she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by David Heller, the Hilltop Elementary school principal.

"Staff and students showed off their own style with their face coverings, a new twist to the first-day wardrobe. The school, adorned with blue and gold balloons and 'Welcome Back' signs greeted our school community," he said. "One-way signs in the hallways, stairwells, and the usual buzz of enthusiasm that a return to school brings was evident throughout the day as students attended school during the morning and afternoon sessions in-seat and virtually."

Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Washington Township and the Chester Consolidated School District feed into the West Morris Regional School District, who also began classes Wednesday in a hybrid form. And while Mendham Township and Washington Township don't open for students until September, the Chester Consolidated School District also kicked off the new school year this week.

"Honestly, just fabulous," Chester School District Superintendent Christina Van Woert told Patch. "Parents, teachers and students were truly excited to be back. It was so heartening to see and hear students in the buildings and spending time outside. It just felt like we had finally reached a sense of normalcy and it genuinely felt hopeful. We're taking it one day at a time but so far, so good."

Parents in Mendham also shared thanks for the work being done to make the reopening of schools a reality.

“I just wanted to thank you for all of the hours you undoubtedly put in over the summer, thank you! I also wanted to call out the great first days our kids had," Mrs. Connolly said. "It is this small district feel where the caring is tangible and the little touches make everyone feel recognized and special.”

Mrs. Rodrigues said she was truly grateful to be in the school system.

"I know lots of people in 'great' school districts, and they couldn't hold a candle to our District's responsiveness and accomplishments in responding to this pandemic," she said. "Our teachers were amazing. I am so proud of our schools.”

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.