
In this 2022-23 SY Return to School Guidebook what we hope you will notice is that we are transitioning, like most other school districts, with far fewer restrictions connected to COVID-19. We are hopeful that this transition will ultimately be to an ‘endemic’.
Return to School Guidebook:
- Click Here: View 2022-23 SY Return to School Guidebook
- Download printable PDF: 2022 - 23 SY Return to School Guidebook
- Spanish: 2022 - 2023 SOMSD Guía de regreso a la escuela
- Haitian Creole: Gid pou Retounen Lekòl SOMSD pou Ane Eskolè 2022-23:
2022-23 SY Emergency Virtual/Remote Instruction Plan:
2022-23 SY Return to School: Key Highlights
- All SOMSD school buildings PreK-12, buses and facilities, regardless of vaccination status, are now mask optional/friendly. District exceptions, where mask will be required, include:
- During large indoor gatherings;
- For individuals returning to school after COVID positive isolation on days 6-10 - indoors and outdoors;
- As recommended by the DOH (i.e., significant increase in transmission, outbreak)
- Isolation is required for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and students/staff must stay home when experiencing symptoms of COVID-19;
- Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19 in schools and Early Childhood Education (CDC, August 2022);
- The District will no longer provide remote access to our classrooms due to Covid-related absences. We are moving back to pre pandemic absence protocols, therefore, absences for Covid-19 will be handled like any other absences for illness, and school work will be provided as it would be in the case for any other illness or absence from school;
- We will no longer maintain the weekly Covid dashboard of cases nor will we send school notifications for positive cases. If there is an outbreak in a SOMSD classroom or school or program, only the affected groups will be notified with public health guidance;
- Weekly testing for unvaccinated personnel in school districts is no longer required (August 15, 2022, Governor Murphy signed executive order 302);
- In addition to above requirements, parents may make masking and testing decisions for themselves and their children - in school and out in the community - understanding that they and their children could be exposed to COVID-19 at any time;
- We are encouraging vaccinations.
For the 2022-23 SY, the USDA meal waiver extension (which provided free meals to all SOMSD students for the 2021-22 SY) will not apply for the upcoming SY. For 2022-23 SY SOMSD will offer students healthy meals daily at a reasonable price:
- Elementary: $3.25
- Middle: $3.50
- High School: $3.75
Families may prepay for student meals through the Meal Pay Plus online payment system.
To Receive Free & Reduced Meal Benefits or the 2022-23 SY eligible families must complete a new free and reduced lunch application online: Free & Reduced Lunch Application
IMPORTANT NOTE: The free & reduced meal lunch application needs to be completed every year if families wish for their child(ren) to be considered for free/reduced lunch. Your status from the previous school year does not carryover from year to year.
- SOMSD Community CLICK HERE to view/download the 2022-23 SY Testing, Progress Reports, Report Cards and Elementary Conference Days
- Click Here for printable PDF
2022 - 23 SY News & Updates
- December 2022 Holiday Edition: Supt. Holiday Message, 2023-24 New Student Registration,Thanks to Outgoing Board Members, Three Key Roles Filled in District Leadership, Around the District and More...(12/20/22)
- Board of Education Approves the Appointment of Three Key Roles to District Leadership (12/19/22)
- November 2022 Edition "As a Matter of Fact" District Newsletter: Supt. Message, Thanksgiving Break, Native American/American Indian Month, CHS Parnassian Society, New BOE Members and More...(11/22/22)
- Parenting Center: 2022 Toy Drive Now Accepting Donations (11/14/22)
- District Statement: Threats to the Jewish Members of our Community (11/4/22)
- October Edition "As a Matter of Fact" Newsletter: Supt Message, Fall Break, Remembering Chief DeVaul, Principal Appreciation Month, Filipino Heritage Month and more...(10/31/22)
- South Orange Middle School (SOMS) the First School in Essex County to Attain River-Friendly Certification (10/31/22)
- District Statement: Chief of Police, Jimmy DeVaul Celebration of Life Service & Traffic Impact: Friday, October 28, 2022 (10/26/22)
- Columbia High School (CHS) Students Awarded with Academic Honors from College Board National Recognition Programs (10/13/22)
- September Edition “As a Matter of Fact Newsletter” – Superintendent’s Message, Hispanic Heritage Month, Counseling Program for Elementary Students, Aftercare Updates, Upcoming Events and more (9/30/22)
- 2022-23 SY Elementary School Social Work Program Offers Counseling Services for Students in Grades K-5 (9/22/22)
- 22-23 SY Start of School Year SOMSD Transportation Update (9/9/22)
- Fall 2022 Beyond the Bell Registration to Open Starting on September 13 (9/8/22)
- The District Releases 2022-23 SY Back to School Covid Guidelines, Free & Reduced Lunch Updates and Dates to Know for Families (8/31/22)
- Long-Time SOMSD Staff, Ann Bodnar Appointed as New SOMSD Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction (8/30/22)
- SOMSD Virtual Safety & Security Forum: Monday, August 29 (8/4/22)