Columbia

Tribute Video for CHS Class of 2020 from CHS Class of 1970

By

Note from CHS Class of 1970:

Several of us from the CHS Class of 1970, while working on canceling our 50th Reunion started talking about the Class of 2020. We quickly realized that rescheduling a 50th Reunion was nothing like having your graduation ceremony canceled. We wanted to do something for the 2020 graduating class and the following video message is the result of our efforts.  The six of us who worked on this video wanted to let the current graduates know that our thoughts are with them. In fact, if we had the time, we would have had many more people from our graduating class involved. We are confident that everyone who walked across the stage at Underhill Field on June 17, 1970, would want to send their best wishes to the graduates of 2020.
 
The CHS graduates who created this message and video are:
  • Ms. Judi Manning Mason (CHS Class of 1970)
  • Mr. Don Cicchino (CHS Class of 1970)
  • Ms. Jeanne Applegate (CHS Class of 1970)
  • Ms. Cathy Alexis (CHS Class of 1970)
  • Mr. Jack Wagner (CHS Class of 1970)
  • Ms. Alexis Keegan (CHS Class of 2003 – Video Consultant)

2020 District-Wide Virtual Moving Up & Graduation Ceremonies by School

By

Please see below for dates for graduation and moving up ceremonies.  All virtual ceremonies will be posted to the South Orange & Maplewood School District YouTube Channel:  https://bit.ly/SOMSDYouTube

SchoolGradeDateTimeCeremony
Preschool Moving Up Ceremony Pre-KFriday, June 12, 202010:00 AMMoving Up Ceremony
Marshall Elementary School 2ndMonday, June 22, 202010:00 AMGrade Clap Out
South Mountain Elementary 5thMonday, June 22, 202010:00 AMMoving Up Ceremony
Clinton Elementary School 5thTuesday, June 23, 20209:00 AMMoving Up Ceremony
Jefferson Elementary School 5thTuesday, June 23, 20209:00 AMMoving Up Ceremony
Seth Boyden School 5thTuesday, June 23, 20209:00 AMMoving Up Ceremony
Tuscan Elementary School 5thTuesday, June 23, 202010:00 AMMoving Up Ceremony
Columbia High School 12thWednesday, June 24, 20206:00 PMMoving Up Ceremony
Maplewood Middle School 8thWednesday, June 24, 20209:00 AMMoving Up Ceremony
South Orange Middle School 8thWednesday, June 24, 20209:00 AMMoving Up Ceremony

Class of 2020 & 2021 Register to Vote: A message from CHS Student Council’s Voter Registration Committee

By

Hey, Class of 2020 and Class of 2021!

Are you 17 or older? You can register to vote! There is power seen in the streets of MAPSO, and you have the opportunity to bring that power to the polls when you turn 18.

Remember that primaries are super important for local and state elections, so even if the presidential nominees are already decided, you should still vote in the primary. New Jersey holds a closed primary, so you must register by June 16th with a party affiliation (or as an Independent) in order to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Primary.

Young people are historically those who vote the least, but we have the opportunity to change that. As a community, we are active in so many causes, so let’s make sure we’re heard!

Want to educate yourself on the candidates before you vote? Attached below are the websites for candidates for contested nominations in our area, listed alphabetically.

For House of Representatives:
– Donald Payne Jr. (D)
– Gene Mazo (D)
– John Flora (D)

For Senate:
– Cory Booker (D)
– Eugene Anagnos (R)
– Hirsh Singh (R)
– Lawrence Hamm (D)
– Natalie Rivera (R)
– Rik Mehta (R)
– Tricia Flanagan (R)

Candidates for Board of Freeholders

Now that you have the info, print your registration form so you can vote! If you do not have access to a printer or ink, but would like a form to be delivered contact-free, please send an email to pholtreiss@nullgmail.com.

See you at the polls,

Student Council’s Voter Registration Committee and Students For Justice

Joint Message from SOMSD Concerning Social Justice Crisis Sweeping Across our Country

By

On behalf of the South Orange & Maplewood School District Board of Education, Superintendent Taylor, and Administration, the following message is a reflection on the social justice crisis sweeping across our country.

“In this country, American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.”
― Toni Morrison

We as community educational leaders are compelled to reiterate our commitment to Equity. However, we must first acknowledge the pain, anger and angst that so many in our district, community and society are currently experiencing. We must not be fearful to make space in our conversations around the genesis of the conflict and uprisings that we are experiencing. We must be intentional. We cannot turn a blind eye to the scourge of racism and bigotry in our country and how its legacy is compounding. Exponentially compounding, not just singular atrocities that reduce people of color to hashtags, but the hard to describe micro-aggressions, privilege, embedded prejudice and intolerance that is a part of our daily lives.

Now is the time to have conversations with our children and communities.  We must discuss not only the images we see on our televisions and social media but more importantly, the complex truth behind the outrage and how it is connected to all of us.   Below are some resources to help in your discussions with your children and/or community.

Also, we are very proud of our commitment to anti-bias, anti-racist, and culturally inclusive education to all we serve.  The district has demonstrated this commitment most recently through our:

  • Deliberate thoughtful progress with regards to our Intentional Integration Initiative (III);
  • Partnership with Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI), for both educator professional development and student counseling in support of equity for our LGBTQ+ community;
  • Restorative Practices & Equity centered job-embedded professional development for our educators, in partnership with renown scholarly experts on this topic; and,
  • Recently approved curriculum revisions to 39 (and counting) curriculum guides, that include connections to the New Jersey Amistad Commission and the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.

We are proud to be a part of a progressive diverse community where being an advocate and an upstander is widely accepted as the norm.  We are proud to have a positive relationship with our community Police partners. We need each other now more than ever. Please know that your school district is committed to providing our students with an education that prepares the next generation to lead us to a future that not only acknowledges our differences with empathy and dignity but embraces our diversity as the strength that has the power to truly transform our society.

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Ronald G. Taylor

South Orange & Maplewood School District, Board of Education

CHS Virtual Graduation Ceremony

By

The District will celebrate the Class of 2020 with a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, June 24.  At 6 pm that evening, families can tune into the broadcast of a professionally-produced virtual ceremony that will feature speakers, video vignettes, messages from dignitaries and celebrities and end with a finale montage that incorporates photos and statements from the Class of 2020.  Each graduate’s name and image will appear on screen over the course of the broadcast.

Seniors should keep an eye out for requests to upload videos and images that will be included in the virtual ceremony.  While the program will be broadcast at 6 pm on the 24th, graduates and their families can view it at any time after that.

Following the broadcast, we invite everyone in our two towns to step outside their homes at 8:20 pm (20:20) to make some noise for our graduates using whatever means available.  We’ll be distributing a free, branded cowbell to every senior at the personalized sign and t-shirt pick up to help them Make Some Noise and hope that everyone uses #CHSNoise2020 to post videos and photos of the moment for all to see.

This is the latest from the HSA and Midnight Madness.  Be sure to stay up to date at the Midnight Madness website and follow our Midnight Madness Facebook group, Instagram and Twitter accounts for all the latest information.  If you’d like to offer your support as a volunteer, please send us a note at mm@nullcolumbiahsa.org.  

SOMSD Schools Closed Indefinitely – Distance Learning to Continue Until Further Notice

By

April 7, 2020

Dear SOMSD Community,

Thank you for your support and all that you have done and continue to do as our District has shifted into distance learning.

As of, Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy has ordered the closure of all NJ schools indefinitely. While we initially anticipated the tentative reopening of schools in our district on April 20 (this was based on previous updates from the Governor’s office); all schools will now operate virtually until further notice.

We will proceed with our distance learning methodology and keep you abreast through our communication platforms, regarding any academic or operational updates. As we head into Spring break, we hope that staff, families, and students are able to receive some respite and return somewhat refreshed mentally and emotionally as we continue with distance learning on Monday, April 20.

If you would like to email us closure-related questions please use: info@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us. Also, please visit our district COVID site for additional resources for families on mental health resources.

Again, thank you for your continued flexibility and cooperation during this unprecedented time.

Educationally Yours,

Dr. Ronald G. Taylor
Superintendent of Schools

Designed, built and powered by SchoolPresser - WordPress for Schools