Most classes at area schools remain in session today after two planes crashed into both of the World Trade Center towers in Manhattan’s financial district and another plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.
By: Al Wicklund, Casha Caponegro and Stacey Gorski
Most classes at area schools remain in session today after two planes crashed into both of the World Trade Center towers in Manhattan’s financial district and another plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.
In addition, the Monroe police and fire departments are on stand-by, in the event they are needed to help out officers and firefighters in New York City.
Elsewhere, the State Police Barracks in West Trenton is coordinating emergency response in New Jersey and the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey dispatched vehicles to Manhattan to assist in the relief effort.
This morning’s attacks forced the evacuation of lower Manhattan and all bridges and tunnels between New York and New Jersey were closed.
Monroe Police Lt. Anthony Cook said the township has sent two ambulances to Liberty State Park in Jersey City. He believed some of the injured were being taken there to be transported to hospitals.
"We haven’t had a request, but we’re sure we’re going to get involved at some point. That’s what we’re waiting for," he said.
Afternoon kindergarten classes in Monroe were canceled, but otherwise the district was in session Tuesday. Classes in Jamesburg and Cranbury also remain in session.
Administrators said it would be difficult to cancel classes because many parents would not be home to greet their children.
Monroe Township Schools Superintendent Ralph Ferrie said school principals were talking to their students, with the aim of keeping children informed and calm.
He said teachers who needed to get home, chiefly because of concern for relatives working in New York City, were being permitted to leave school.
"Principals and teachers will cooperate to make certain all classes are covered." Dr. Ferrie said.
The superintendent held a meeting of the school-district emergency management team, shortly after receiving reports of the attack Tuesday morning .
"We planned for the day. We will be monitoring developments during the day and will get together late in the day to decide on what is appropriate to do," Dr. Ferrie said.
Students at Jamesburg’s Grace M. Breckwedel School were informed of the events over the intercom by Superintendent Richard Ballard, who was following the events on television.
School officials said students seemed to take the news well, and that that the safest place for them would be in the schools.
Regular classes were held, though students were kept inside during their normal recess periods and physical education classes were canceled. Three concerned parents came to pick up their children, while fifteen other students had family members in the city.
School officials were able to contact several of those students’ parents, and they all had safely survived the tragedy.
The Cranbury School is struggling to remain open in light of the recent attacks.
"We are trying to remain open," Jeneane Brody, a secretary at the school, said at 11:15 a.m. "Parents may pick up their kids if they need to."
For the children who remain throughout the school day, it has not yet decided if a support group will meet with them to explain this devastation.
"The guidance department is meeting right now," said Ms. Brody. "Nothing has been decided yet."
The American Red Cross of Central New Jersey in West Windsor activated its disaster response team and two emergency response vehicles were sent to lower Manhattan to assist in the relief effort.
The State Police Barracks in West Trenton is coordinating the emergency response in New Jersey.
The First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury has several vigils scheduled for tonight to help deal with the tragedy.
"We have received many calls," Associate Pastor, Doug Dent said at 11:45 a.m. "We are open now and will remain open throughout the day."
The Rev. Dent said that vigils will be held at the church this evening at 4 and 7 p.m.
"Three pastors will be on hand all day for grief counseling." the Rev. Dent said.
Princeton Packet Staff Writer Jeff Milgram contributed to this story.

