All questions must be submitted by Monday, October 26 @ 9am.
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Return to School Updates for November 2020
As we announced this summer in concert with Governor Murphy's Executive Order 175, our current plan remains in place to offer in-person educational opportunities beginning on November 12th. The health and safety of our students and staff is our #1 priority; to that end, we have invested significantly in preparing our buildings for our reopening. Please view below for important resources, links to the return to school preference forms for primary and secondary schools, and links to upcoming events.
Important Resources/Updates
- Superintendent Taylor Message to SOMSD Community: School Reopening Update (10/22)
- Phased-In Return to School Presentation (from 10/19 BOE Meeting)
- SOMSD School Hybrid Stages of Re-entry One-Pager (10/19)
- 10/19 Board of Education Meeting - View recording from 10/19 BOE meeting where Superintendent Taylor shares a comprehensive presentation regarding the details of the District’s phased-in return re-entry plan (presentation begins at the 8-minute mark)
- Return to School Update Letter (10/15)
Return to School Preference Forms (November 2020)
To gauge where our District families currently stand, we are sending a revised version of the "Return to School Preference Form" sent in August 2020. We understand that some families may still be apprehensive about sending their children back to school during this pandemic. Knowing this, the District would like to provide parents/guardians with flexibility, but also needs to plan in advance for scheduling purposes and ensure we are abiding by social distancing requirements. Final responses will be due by Wednesday, October 28th @ 6pm
- PreK - 8 “Return to School Preference” Form: https://bit.ly/3lRg2dU
- CHS “Return to School Preference” Form: https://bit.ly/2HkqFqV
Informational Events:
To help families make a more informed decision on whether your child will attend school in-person (hybrid instruction) or continue with all-virtual instruction we are inviting the community to join us for a few upcoming virtual events. We encourage families to attend these events. If you are unable to attend, all presentations will be sent to families via email and WebEx recordings will be posted to the District website.
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- Board of Education Virtual Meeting - Monday, October 19 @ 7:30pm - View recording
- EVENT POSTPONED! PreK-8 Virtual Return to School Academic Update Town Hall WebEx - Monday, October 26 @ 7:30pm- Click Here
- Questions for the PreK-8 Academic Town Hall can be submitted here: https://bit.ly/
2HmgRMY
- Questions for the PreK-8 Academic Town Hall can be submitted here: https://bit.ly/
- EVENT POSTPONED! CHS Virtual Return to School Academic Update Town Hall WebEx - Tuesday, October 27 @ 7:30pm - Click Here
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2020-2021 SOMSD Virtual Instruction Guidebook for Families
SOMSD Community: Social Media Concern
September 21, 2020
Dear SOMSD Families,
We understand that these are challenging times and we want to thank you for your continued partnership in attending to your child’s academic, physical, and social-emotional needs.
We are writing to alert you of a video that we have become aware of recently on social media. There was a completed suicide that was recorded live on Facebook in August and was reposted to TikTok and has recently been hidden inside more innocuous looking TikToks. Across the country, children and adults are accidentally coming across these videos. We encourage you to be vigilant about monitoring your child’s activity on social media and be aware that these graphic and disturbing posts are circulating. TikTok has reported its attempt to remove the video.
As adults, these events present an opportunity for open conversations on important issues that confront our students. As the use of the internet increases for learning purposes, we remind you to take an active role in monitoring your child’s online activity including social media, and to regularly talk about internet safety as a family.
School staff are here to support your child. If you are concerned about your child’s well being please contact your child’s school – the guidance and social work staff are available to support your child. For additional support and referrals please use the SOMSD Care Line – 973 762 5600 Ext 1855. We’re here for you and can connect you with resources, supports, and community partners.
We also encourage you to attend the Parenting Center Speaker Series WebEx, “Social Media During the Pandemic,” taking place on October 8, 2020. Thank you for allowing us to educate and support your child. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your child’s school for more information.
Additional Resources:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Available 24 hours. 800-273-8255
- Preventing Youth Suicide: Brief Facts and Tips from NASP
- Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators from NASP
- SOMSD Care Line & Mental Health Resources [bit.ly/SOMSDMHResource]
Sincerely,
South Orange & Maplewood School District
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Melody Alegria, Assistant Superintendent, Special Services
Karen Weiland, Parenting Center Supervisor & Elementary Social Worker
2020 – 2021 Virtual Convocation for Teachers/Staff
Dear District Family,
Although we aren't able to gather physically for this year's Convocation, we want to welcome all of our teachers/staff back to the new school year. This year in lieu of our normal convocation and as a testament to the virtual world we now live in, instead of inviting a lot of district leaders to give you speech upon speech about how to be motivated during these unprecedented times we've tapped into some other experts. Please enjoy the short video that follows, as our experts, aka “scholars” from our District schools have joined us to share how they feel about virtual learning, their feelings about our current circumstances, and some of their hopes for the year.
Please know that we appreciate you. We're so happy that you are back and our community is very excited to see all the advancements that we've made during the summer.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools
SOMSD Welcome Message: 2020 - 2021 School Year