If you or someone in your family is experiencing stress/anxiety, call the Care Line at 973-762-5600 Ext. 1855 & leave a message and within 24 hours on school days a school social work intern will reach out to offer a brief consultation or a referral to other services.
Maplewood Middle School
SOMSD Special Edition “Back to School” Newsletter: Welcome Back to School Students & Staff
2020 – 2021 Visual & Performing Arts Supply List by Grade (PreK – 12)
Dear Parents and Guardians
I hope this finds you and your families well and excited about a new year of learning! The SOMSD Visual and Performing Arts Staff is looking forward to welcoming your children to their virtual classrooms and guiding them through the curriculum which has been updated to
reflect the new 2020 NJSLS Arts Standards. (STANDARDS LINK: https://www.nj.gov/education/cccs/2020/2020%20NJSLS-VPA.pdf)
In order to have a more robust artistic experience in this virtual learning setting, the department staff has put together a list of items we ask that you acquire to support instruction in each arts discipline; levels PreK-12. Please see the list in the attachment below and if you need assistance with any items please reach out to your teacher.
The first week of class will be centered around assimilation and acculturation to the online learning platform CANVAS, as well as community-building activities. Therefore, we ask that you gather the requested materials by September 14th, 2020.
James A Manno, K-12 Supervisor, Visual & Performing Arts Department
2020 – 2021 Art Supplies List by Grade Level
District Offices Closed: Fri., September 4 & Mon., September 7 in Observance of Labor Day
PLEASE NOTE THE SOUTH ORANGE & MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 AND MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY.
VIEW RECORDING: SOMSD Academic & Social-Emotional Town Hall WebEx, from Wed., 9/2
SOMSD 2020-2021 Virtual Instruction Guidebook & School Schedule for Families
*2020 - 2021 Virtual Instructional Guidebook for Families
[*Last edit: 9/2/20: Updated Preschool program information and revised SOMS full-day schedule]Important Community Resources:
- Spanish Translation_Parent Virtual Instruction Guidebook (9/21)
- Click here to view: Academic and Social-Emotional Virtual Town Hall WebEx Recording
- SOMSD Care Line & Mental Health Resources
- If you or someone in your family is experiencing stress/anxiety, call the Care Line at 973-762-5600 Ext. 1855 & leave a message and within 24 hours on school days a school social work intern will reach out to offer a brief consultation or a referral to other services.
- 2020 - 2021 Special Education Supplemental Guide to Virtual Instructional Guidebook
Dear SOMSD Families,
As we head into the 2020-21 school year, I want to welcome you back. Although the return to school is not as we anticipated, school administrators, teachers, and staff are putting in hard work and long hours to ensure that the first day of school is special for students.
As you can imagine, we are welcoming back 7,000+ students into a virtual school environment. So we anticipate that there will be technology glitches, device issues, internet connectivity issues, and an overall learning curve as students and teachers alike begin working together in our virtual environment. Therefore, to prepare and make accommodations, for the first two weeks of school, September 8 – 18, we will operate on an early dismissal schedule. This will allow time for teachers and students to acclimate to the new learning management system Canvas and provide additional time in the afternoon for continued professional development training for teachers. Starting on Monday, September 21, we will transition to a full-day virtual instruction schedule.
This instructional guidebook provides information on:
- Assessment, progress report and report card schedules;
- Virtual class schedules by grade-level; (starting on page 15)
- Special education services to students;
- Teacher and student expectations;
- Information on Canvas as well as upcoming training webinar dates for parents;
- Emotional, Health and Wellness Support;
- And more.
Please note that our guidebook is subject to change. As guidelines and orders change from local, state, and federal authorities, our District will adjust. But rest assured, our focus will always remain on doing what’s best for students and staff.
I look forward to seeing each of you, albeit virtually as we begin the school year and hope to be reunited with students and staff soon. The best of luck to our students, staff, and families as we begin the journey together in 2020-21.
Educationally Yours,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools