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A District That Celebrates

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SOMSD Community Awareness: Threat of Violence Circulating on TikTok

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December 16, 2021

Dear SOMSD Community,

The state has notified us of recent internet chatter on social media about a concern of school shootings taking place tomorrow, Friday, December 17, 2021. This chatter is not specific to a locality or time.

We have been informed by the NJ Director of the Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning that at this point, there is no viable intelligence to support this as a legitimate threat. Messages such as this current one, circulating in numerous states, are often posted to cause confusion and heightened anxiety among members of the school community. While this threat has not been deemed a credible threat, we still encourage students, parents and staff to report any concerns they may have going forward.

Parents/guardians, we encourage you to speak with your child and let them know that the South Orange & Maplewood School District takes every threat seriously. In addition, as always, in conjunction with the county prosecutor’s office and our local police department, we remain vigilant and investigate every threat that we receive.

Please know that the safety of our students and staff is always our number one priority. We want to reiterate there are no specific threats directed toward any SOMSD School.

More information regarding the rise of unsubstantiated school threats throughout the country can be found in this nj.com article by clicking here: https://www.nj.com/education/2021/12/nj-schools-grapple-with-spike-in-threats-of-violence-shootings-on-social-media.html

South Orange & Maplewood School District

SOMSD Community Thanksgiving Break Travel/Quarantine Guidelines & Survey (Submissions Due By: Mon., Nov. 22)

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Link to: Thanksgiving Break Travel Survey

(ONLY FAMILIES WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL DOMESTICALLY (OUTSIDE OF PA, NJ, NY, CT, DE) OR INTERNATIONALLY w/ UNVACCINATED CHILDREN SHOULD FILL OUT THIS FORM)

November 16, 2021

Dear SOMSD Community,

As you are aware, the Thanksgiving Break is November 25 & 26, 2021. District schools and Central Office will be closed. Schools and District offices will reopen on Monday, November 29, 2021.

The District will collect information from parents/guardians of unvaccinated students who plan on traveling either domestically (outside of PA, NJ, NY, CT, DE) or outside of the United States during the Thanksgiving break. To keep our students, staff and community safe, unvaccinated students will need to quarantine before returning to school.

Note the following:

  • UNVACCINATED students will be asked to quarantine for a full seven to ten days depending on testing.
  • Quarantine may be seven full days if students test negative on days 3, 4, or 5 after returning from travel. If you choose not to test, quarantine is ten full days.
  • This guidance is per our local SOMA Departments of Health as informed by NJDOH and CDC.
  • If your child is fully vaccinated, they do NOT need to quarantine (unless they have symptoms).
  • If you recently opted to have your child vaccinated in accordance with the new CDC endorsement and recommendation for children 5 to 11 years old against COVID-19 with the Pfizer pediatric vaccine, please note that your child will NOT be considered fully vaccinated until TWO WEEKS AFTER they receive their second dose of the vaccine (which is after we return from Thanksgiving Break).

Everyone’s continued compliance is necessary to keep the members of our school community healthy and safe.

Please refer to the communication sent to parents on Friday, October 22 for a full description of the requirements which are still applicable. [https://bit.ly/3pqq8rk]

During a student’s quarantine period, they will receive virtual instruction. Please note that we strive to minimize the disruption to student learning during the quarantine period by having systems in place for students to receive virtual instructional support that is commensurate with their normal school day. Again, it is imperative that families of UNVACCINATED students who plan to travel during the Thanksgiving break, outside of the PA, NJ, NY, CT, and DE areas fill out the Thanksgiving Break Travel Survey by Monday, November 22.

Thanksgiving Break Travel Survey:  https://forms.gle/FtgUW8h2hk8ihRAr5

South Orange & Maplewood School District

Emergency Remote or Virtual Instruction Plan For the 2021-22 School Year

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Link:  https://bit.ly/3vUCHMM

South Orange Maplewood School District
Emergency Remote or Virtual Instruction Plan
For the 2021-22 School

This plan would be implemented during a district closure lasting more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency, declared a public health emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or officer to institute a public health-related closure.

The Plan contains information regarding:

  • Technology
  • School Lunch Distribution
  • The Instructional Model including School Schedules
  • Grades, Assessment & Attendance
  • Teacher Expectations and More…

Read the plan in its entirety.  Link:  https://bit.ly/3vUCHMM

Columbia High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

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SOMSD logo

Columbia High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

The 2019 Columbia High School “Hall of Fame” Induction Ceremony will take place on Wed., 6/5 in the CHS Auditorium in two assembly programs from 9:13-10:13 am and 10:17-11:17 am. This year’s inductees are Bisa Butler and Ibtihaj Muhammad.

As many residents of the South Orange-Maplewood community are aware, Columbia High School is a special place! Many CHS graduates have gone on, and continue to go on to do great things in the world – from doctors, to lawyers, to activists, actors, athletes, artists, musicians, producers, designers, the list goes on!

In the mid-1980’s, the CHS “Hall of Fame” Committee was established as part of Student Council, to recognize the vast accomplishments of its graduates. In 1985, the Hall of Fame inducted its first two alumni – Senior U.S. Circuit Judge, Amalya Kearse, and world renown actor, Roy Schneider. Since then, every year, the committee has inducted anywhere from 1-4 former students who had demonstrated academic excellence during their time at CHS, and have gone on to influence the world around them in positively meaningful ways.

On Wed., 6/5, we will induct two more alumni, whom you may know, who have gone on to do great things in South Orange, Maplewood, and beyond!

This special event is open to all CHS students, faculty, staff, and members of the Board of Education. The 2019 CHS Hall of Fame inductees’ names will be made known to CHS students, faculty, staff, and the public the day before the event on Tue., 6/4.

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