Still 6 months after Super Storm Sandy ravaged New Jersey, its effects are still being felt. The most obvious and prudent to school are the changes to the school schedule. With two weeks off in November all extra days off were eliminated. The only scheduled days off for the second semester of school were Spring Break and Memorial Day. Thankfully harsh winter weather eluded us, and did not result in any snow days which would have eliminated even more days off, potentially pushing the last day of school further back and taking of days from Spring break.
As New Jersey, and Middletown specifically attempts to recover quickly, many areas remain devastated. Scars from Sandy are evident everywhere. From the beaches and shore landmarks that have changed forever, to abandoned properties and damage in North Middletown.
Many individual students, as well as student clubs working inside North have organized beach cleanups and other initiatives to raise funds and awareness for the continued devastation. The struggles have not ended; many are still not back in their homes. Although locations such as Sandy Hook gateway National recreation area will reopen on May 1st, the rebuilding process will be slow and the effects of Sandy will stay with us for many beach season and school years.