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Snowstorm forces more than 200 students to stay in New Jersey schools overnight

Snowstorm forces more than 200 students to stay in New Jersey schools overnight
Posted at 9:57 AM, Nov 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-16 11:57:45-05

WEST ORANGE, New Jersey (WPIX) — A snowstorm that caused chaos for commuters Thursday also left hundreds of students stranded in New Jersey schools overnight.

School buses were unable to get to schools in West Orange, forcing the district to keep the children overnight into Friday.

Eight West Orange Public School District schools, including a preschool, had students spend the night.

More than 200 students in all slept at West Orange schools.

Liberty Middle School housed the most students, with about 25 teachers looking after about 100 students overnight.

The school’s principal kept the public updated with pictures and the latest information on their students, who were kept entertained and fed.

As of 5:30 a.m. Friday, staff began serving students French toast for breakfast.

District officials hoped roads would be clear Friday morning so buses could return the students home, but snow began to fall again.

Police escorted students home who were not able to be picked up by their family, school officials said.

A handful of students remained at school as of 9 a.m.

West Orange public schools will be closed Friday.