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A District That Celebrates

Clinton

March 2022 “As a Matter of Fact” District Newsletter: BOE Reaches Agreement w/ SOMEA, 22-23 SY Prek Registration Open, Yr. 2 Intentional Integration Considerations Approved, Asst. Supt. Access & Equity Hired and More…

March 25, 2022 By Communications

March 25, 2022 Filed Under: Clinton, Columbia, Jefferson, Maplewood Middle School, Marshall, Montrose, Seth Boyden, South Mountain, South Mountain Annex, South Orange Middle School, Tuscan, Updates & Announcements for Families

SOMSD Community Update: District to Move to “Indoor Mask Optional” Plan for K-12 Schools, Buses and District Office Buildings, Starting on Monday, March 14, 2022

March 10, 2022 By Communications

South Orange & Maplewood School District Community,

Click the link  to view full SOMSD’s “Indoor Mask Option” survey results: bit.ly/3hRqO3Z

Click here to view/download the google doc version of the letter below:  bit.ly/3tL12nw

Dear SOMSD Community,

Based on the updated guidance from the NJDOH and in collaboration with our local health departments, the South Orange & Maplewood School District will move to a “mask optional” plan in our K-12 schools, buses and district office buildings (PreK school communities will continue with mask mandate, further information can be found on the bottom of page 2). This updated plan is effective Monday, March 14, 2022.  

We want to thank our students, staff, and families for following our mitigation measures over the past year and a half. We know it has not been easy. Thanks to your efforts, we have been able to keep one another safe and continue with in-person learning.   We also thank our staff, parent/guardian and student community for your responses to the “indoor mask option” survey and for your patience and continued support as the District sought to implement the best decisions possible to keep our staff and student community safe.  

The survey results can be found in the link above and below we offer a broad overview of the results, based on three key survey questions:

Audience # of Submissions Do you think it’s time for SOMSD to make masks optional indoors?  *If indoor masks were optional, would you still have your child(ren) wear one? (or) would you still wear one? If the District decides to make masks optional, are there any situations where masks should remain mandatory?
Staff 419
  • Yes:  53%
  • No:  32%
  • Unsure:  15%
  • Yes: 43%
  • No: 35%
  • Unsure: 22%
  1. In spaces that hold large indoor gatherings:  66%
  2. Mask should be optional at all times: 34%
Middle School/CHS Students 1,389
  • Yes: 49%
  • No:  35%
  • Unsure:  16%
  • Yes:  47%
  • No:  21%
  • Unsure:  32%
  1. In spaces that hold large indoor gatherings:  75% 
  2. Mask should be optional at all times: 25% 
Parent /Guardians 2,612
  • Yes: 64%
  • No: 25%
  • Unsure: 11%
  • Yes: 28%
  • No: 51%
  • Unsure: 21%
  1. In spaces that hold large indoor gatherings:  51%
  2. Mask should be optional at all times: 49%

We will continue to maintain a safe and thoughtful environment for all students and staff.   We ask that everyone respect one another’s decision, whether they choose to mask or not. In accordance with district policy, harassment,  intimidation, and bullying will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Anyone, including staff or students, who wish to continue wearing a mask will be supported in their choice of doing so. We will encourage our teachers to have conversations with their students around respecting each other’s personal choices.  

We encourage parents to discuss your family’s mask choice with your children, as staff will not be monitoring this.  Please put an extra mask in your child’s backpack for the times that they may need to wear them*.    Disposable masks will still be available in the main office of  each school building. 

*Presently, we will continue to require/request masking:

  1. During large indoor gatherings including, but not limited to, assemblies, plays, art shows, concerts (strongly suggested)
  2. For individuals who are returning to school after COVID-positive isolation on days 6-10 (mandatory)
  3. As recommended by the DOH (i.e., significant increased transmission, outbreak)

As a reminder from our 2/22 communication (link: bit.ly/3h9d04g) one of the mitigating strategies to be discontinued when we shift to a “mask optional” environment is contact tracing by K-12 school nurses and administrators. Operationally and logistically, this NJDOH recommendation is no longer sustainable.   This means:

  1. Families and school communities would only receive a general notice if a laboratory confirmed COVID positive case is reported within their school community; and schools will no longer direct quarantining of unvaccinated  close contacts (or entire classrooms);
  2. Schools will no longer recommend quarantine after travel for unvaccinated individuals;
  3. We will continue the practice of recommending isolation of COVID positive individuals and those with ‘COVID-compatible’ symptoms waiting for a test result; 
  4. Virtual learning will continue to be offered to students who are:
    1.  Unable to attend school in-person due to testing COVID-positive (or)
    2.  Who have COVID-compatible symptoms and are awaiting test results as well as household members of these individuals.  
  5. The school nurses will still be monitoring cases, in partnership with the local DOH who will investigate cases and notify the school district if there is an outbreak. Please continue to report positive COVID test results to your building principal and school nurse.

Please know that the health and safety of everyone in our school buildings is our top priority. As such, we are closely following the recommendations of our state and local health officials.  As these recommendations change, we will adjust our health and safety protocols accordingly. It remains possible that we may need to re-implement our mask policy if the numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in our schools or community increase.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s building principal. As always, thank you for your support and understanding.

*Note for Preschool Community:  The mandates for PreK students differ from the K-12 school setting.  As per New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) guidelines and in consensus from our local health departments, if a facility has a population of people that are ineligible for vaccination then masking stays in place as the only other prevention strategy to protect those who are vulnerable.  If and when the NJDOH provides a revised guideline for this age group we will then reach out to PreK families with a similar survey.  Contact tracing will continue for the PreK community (for close contacts of an individual with a positive lab test).

 

Sincerely,

 

South Orange & Maplewood School District

March 10, 2022 Filed Under: Clinton, Columbia, Jefferson, Maplewood Middle School, Marshall, Montrose, Seth Boyden, South Mountain, South Mountain Annex, South Orange Middle School, Tuscan, Updates & Announcements for Families Tagged With: Mask Option, Mask Option Update, Mask Optional

Due to Impending Inclement Weather: All Schools Will Operate on Early Dismissal Schedule for Fri., 2/4

February 3, 2022 By Communications

SOMSD Community,

Due to the impending inclement weather and potentially challenging driving conditions, out of an abundance of caution, our District will be shifting to an early dismissal schedule for today Friday February 4.  This is to ensure that our students and staff can get home safely.  All after school clubs and CHS sporting activities for today will also be canceled. Students and families enrolled in the YMCA aftercare will receive additional guidance under separate cover, directly from the YMCA.

You can view your school’s early dismissal schedule below or visit the “school hours webpage” – https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/about/hours/

EARLY DISMISSAL HOURS:

 

February 3, 2022 Filed Under: Announcements (Prior to 2023), Clinton, Columbia, Jefferson, Maplewood Middle School, Marshall, Montrose, Seth Boyden, South Mountain, South Mountain Annex, South Orange Middle School, Tuscan, Updates & Announcements for Families

SOMSD Community: Back to In-Person Learning Resumes on Mon., January 10 & COVID-19 Updates

January 7, 2022 By Communications

January 7, 2022 Filed Under: Clinton, Columbia, Jefferson, Maplewood Middle School, Marshall, Montrose, Seth Boyden, South Mountain, South Mountain Annex, South Orange Middle School, Tuscan, Updates & Announcements for Families Tagged With: January 10, January 7, Return in-person instruction, Return to in-person instruction

District Special Edition Post-Winter Break Newsletter: Important Covid19 Testing Updates, Lunch and Virtual Learning Updates

December 30, 2021 By Communications

December 30, 2021 Filed Under: Clinton, Columbia, Jefferson, Maplewood Middle School, Marshall, Montrose, Seth Boyden, South Mountain, South Orange Middle School, Tuscan, Updates & Announcements for Families

County Megasite Testing/Vaccination Locations Are Open in Livingston, Newark and West Orange

December 30, 2021 By Communications

For more information visit:  https://essexcountynj.org/covid-19-vaccine-locations/

December 30, 2021 Filed Under: Clinton, Columbia, Jefferson, Maplewood Middle School, Marshall, Montrose, Seth Boyden, South Mountain, South Mountain Annex, South Orange Middle School, Tuscan, Updates & Announcements for Families Tagged With: Essex County Testing Sites, Megasites

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South Orange-Maplewood
School District

South Orange-Maplewood School District

Address &
Contact Info

525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Main Office: (973) 762-5600

District Title IX Information

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District Title IX Coordinator
525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District HIB Coordinator
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Ms. Robin Curry
Confidential Secretary to the Asst. Supt., Access & Equity
e: rcurry@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1822

More HIB Information

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The mission of the South Orange Maplewood School District is to empower and inspire each student to explore and imagine, to pursue personal passions, and to collectively create a better future by creating a learner-centered environment through multiple pathways; re-imagined structures, systems and supports; innovative teaching; partnering with families; and maximizing community expertise and resources.

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