Middle School Math Parent Nights was held on April 23rd at South Orange Middle School and April 25th at Maplewood Middle School.
The presentation can be found below.
Also, click on the Middle School Math Course Selection Form to view the course selection options.
| 05-11-2019 5:34 pm | Download |
It is with tremendous pleasure and excitement that the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education announces the appointment of Dr. Ronald Taylor as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 8, 2019.
Dr. Taylor was selected in a robust search process led by Dr. Bill Librera, our search consultant, from West Hudson Associates, which began in August 2018. The search included community meetings and a survey to craft a leadership profile, selection of candidates to be interviewed in a first round with the Board of Education, second round interviews with three finalists. Dr. Taylor emerged as the leading candidate, and subsequent in-depth interviews (including a conversation with the student representative to the Board), background and reference checks, and a site visit by two of the three Board officers confirmed the Board’s conviction that Dr. Taylor is the right educational leader for SOMSD.
Board of Education President Annemarie Maini said: “Dr. Taylor is an exceptional leader with extensive experience, proven results, and outstanding listening and communication skills. Throughout the search process, the Board focused on finding an educational leader who is unwaveringly student-focused and has a track record of results which match our immediate and long-term needs. Dr. Taylor will be an asset to our community as we work to deliver on major initiatives including a $145+MM bond, a complete elementary reconfiguration, and continue to move our district toward deliberate monitoring and oversight using QSAC.”
Dr. Taylor started his career as a kindergarten teacher. He was an assistant principal, as well as an award-winning principal, before moving to a Regional Superintendent role in Newark. He joined Willingboro as Superintendent eight years ago where his research-based, data-driven approach resulted in bringing academic and operational stability to Willingboro.
Dr. Taylor’s eight years of experience as the Superintendent of Willingboro have provided an excellent foundation for him to lead the work to address SOMSD’s current priorities:
More information about his experience in these and other areas is on his attached resume.
We invite the community to join us in welcoming Dr. Taylor to South Orange-Maplewood School District, and look forward to working together to build the infrastructure, systems and educational program which will help all of our students master the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. Dr. Ficarra, the Senior Leaders of Central Office, and the Board of Education are committed to ensuring a smooth transition to our new leadership.
We will be organizing a series of meet and greets between the Superintendent and community members to begin to build relationships and understanding. The first of these will take place on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 7pm in the CHS Library.
Please click here for the ESY registration letter and form.
Is it hard to believe how quickly the end of the school year is approaching and we have been quite busy planning for ESY
2019. The District’s ESY Program will provide additional time for students, beyond the school year, to help sustain and
develop their academic and social skills. Students will be exposed to language arts, mathematics and social skills
instruction. Unlike previous years, social skills will be a critical component of the program for all participating students.
An extension of related services, as stipulated in the student’s IEP, will be provided.
The ESY Program will be in session from June 27, 2019 – August 8, 2019 Monday through Friday
We encourage every parent/guardian who is considering ESY for their child to register early written confirmation for us
to be able to secure staff and transportation services.
The academic portion of the program will focus on mathematics and reading skills as stipulated in students’ IEPS.
Students in the autism program will continue to follow their individually designed programs incorporating specialized
strategies. Furthermore, the District’s ESY Program will incorporate a social skills curriculum. Instruction will be
supported by the use of online resources proven to be effective in strengthening reading skill development. Progress
reports will be shared with parents at the end of the program.
Our special education teachers may not work during our ESY Program, so it is likely that your child may not have the
same teacher as his/her classroom teacher from the 2018-2019 school year.
Kindly complete the attached Extended School Year Application 2019 and return it to your child’s teacher, no later than
Friday, March 22, 2019.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to your child’s case manager.
The Montclair State University John J. Cali School of Music’s Arts Institute Partnership Grant was renewed for a second year! The grant is designed to provide music lesson services to South Orange-Maplewood School District music students.
Last year, the South Orange-Maplewood School District Fine Arts Department and Montclair State University embarked on one of the first ever partnerships of its kind in the State of New Jersey. Via a $30,000 combined grant from the Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation and the Montclair State University Foundation, the John J. Cali School of Music piloted an Arts Institute in South Orange-Maplewood. This included an African-Drumming and Ukulele program at Seth Boyden, during and after school lessons and classes at the middle and high schools, a jazz ensemble residency at Columbia High School, and more — all taught by professors (including members of the NY Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera), as well as Masters students from the school.
As in past year, the grant will provide music instruction enrichment to K-12 music programs of teachers who request support services.
Lesson will be provided during and after the school day.
Middle School Math Course Selection Presentation - 2019