Ridgewood Schools Closed Monday, Tuesday

Public school students from kindergarten through high school in Ridgewood can breathe easy and sleep in – Ridgewood Public Schools Superintendent Daniel Fishbein announced late Sunday afternoon that all village schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.

"You look at the information that you have at the time and make a decision," he said of the decision process to Patch in an e-mail. "We have two days built into the calendar, so there is nothing to make up at this point."

In the message sent to parents at about 4:45 p.m. Sunday, Fishbein said school officials will "continue to monitor the situation."

He urged parents and students to take proper precautions and to stay updated by checking the village website and signing up for e-notices.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn said residents must take the storm seriously – Sandy is no joke.

"This storm will likely be very dangerous and very destructive," he told Patch Sunday night. "The key now is preparation. The key Monday and throughout the week will be cooperation and coordination."

Village Hall and the library will remain open on Monday. The village will determine if the municipal building opens on Tuesday depending on Monday's weather, Aronsohn said.

Meanwhile, recycling, trash and leaf pickups have been suspended from Monday-Wednesday.

The current projections forecast the storm to be more damaging with downed power lines and tress than in flooding. Ridgewood OEM said Sunday that the village could face winds up to 75 mph.

But with 3-5 inches of rain expected in a period of 36 hours, mass flooding is becoming less likely.

"It seems to be mainly a wind event, which is extremely serious but the likelihood of flooding is perhaps less than we originally feared," the mayor said.

That can always change, however, and it can change in a momen't notice.

"The good news is we had some lead time," Aronsohn said of preparations. "Everything is in place. Now we're wating and bracing for the storm." 

Glen Rock also announced it would also be closing schools on Monday and Tuesday. Borough Hall will be closed for business on Monday and Tuesday though it will remain open for residents to recharge electronics and dry off.

Waste, recycling and trash pickups are also suspended in Glen Rock.

Stay with Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch for the latest on Sandy's impact in the borough and village.

Previous hurricane coverage:

• Ridgewood OEM: Be Prepared to Evacuate or Keep Shelter for 3 Days
• Ridgewood Offers Free Parking During 'Frankenstorm' to Flood-Area Residents
• NJ Transit to Begin System Shutdown at 4 p.m. on Sunday
• Sandy Inland Flooding Threat Increases For NJ
• Hurricane Sandy: Everything You Need to Know in Ridgewood/Glen Rock
• Tons of Supplies Still at 'Nimble' Glen Rock Hardware
• Evacuations Possible if Hurricane Sandy Hits Bergen County
• No Halloween Curfews Planned in Ridgewood – For Now
• Strengthens 
• Glen Rock Institutes 'Mischief Night' Curfew

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor James Kleimann at James.Kleimann@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.