Mark Your Calendars! From Back-To-School Nights To Ice Cream Socials, School Events Start This Week

As if right on cue, a fall crispness in the air sent Montclair-area students off for their first day of school on Monday morning. This year, there are loads of new faces and new spaces greeting students. Years in the making, Charles H. Bullock Elementary School opened its doors to students for the first time. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The former Rand Elementary School has been spruced up for the arrival of Renaissance Middle School students. There are new principals and teachers at many of the schools including Mr. Guy Whitlock, the new principal at Mount Hebron Middle School.

As Montclair enters its first week of school, there are all sorts of new dates to put in your calendar for the fall. For a look at the district's complete school calendar, go here.

When it comes to upcoming school closings, on October 7, schools close after an abbreviated day due to curriculum meetings. On October 11, schools are closed for teacher workshops and, on October 14, schools close after an abbreviated day due to evening parent conferences. Beyond October, you can check out school closings by going here.

Back-to-school nights start this week as do ice cream socials and PTA meetings. Check the district's Web site for information about your school's activities.

Looking forward, here are some other events to put on your calendar:

— School Board Meeting is on September 20. All meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. in the George Inness Little Theater, 141 Park Street, Montclair, New Jersey, unless noted otherwise. The Board will open in public session and go immediately into executive session. The public portion of the meetings begins at approximately 7:30 p.m.

— The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) holds a yogathon on Sunday, September 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Montcliar High School Football Field. Designed to support MFEE, you can register online at www.mfee.org. Entry fee is $20 per person.

— Montclair Schools Rock! 2010 is on the school district's calendar, (pending permits, etc.) for Saturday night, October 16. Come out and celebrate a great night of camaraderie, live rock & roll, and community spirit.