As A Matter of Fact Newsletter
Special Edition: SOMSD Celebrates Pride Month
SOMSD Celebrates Pride Month
Hello SOMSD Community,
In recognition of June as LGBTQ+ Pride month, I wanted to take a moment to share and express our School District and Board of Education commitment, appreciation, and support of our LGBTQ+ students, staff and families. The South Orange Maplewood School District welcomes, and supports all students, staff and families no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
As we have previously shared, we believe it to be our duty as educators to ensure the equity, inclusion and well-being of all our students, staff and families. We know when students have a welcoming positive school climate they have greater success in our classrooms and in our community. We know that our society is in desperate need of adults who are not only academically strong but also visible allies that build empathy and understanding. As Pride month is celebrated around the world, one way to create better understanding is to ensure that our students are exposed to the history of the many cultures, traditions, and accomplishments of groups throughout the world.
We are fortunate to work and live in a beautifully diverse community that at its best, values what we contribute. To that end, we are very happy to share with our District family a compilation of events gathered from the SOMSD community activities and resources to celebrate Pride Month throughout the month of June.
South Orange & Maplewood School District
Upcoming SOMA Pride Local Events
To see all upcoming events, visit: www.somapride.com
- SOMA Equality March & Rally
June 6 10:00am - Ricalton Square to Town Hall
Maplewood Township, SOMA Action, SOMA Justice, Columbia High School
- SOMA Youth Pride Picnic
June 6 12:30pm - Springfield Ave Gazebo
Maplewood Township, SOMA Action, SOMA Justice, Columbia High School
- Big Queer Block Party
June 18 7:00pm - Maplewood Village
SOMA Justice, North Jersey Pride, Newark LGBT Community Center LINK
Pride Month Events & Resources
Fleet Feet Montclair’s Pride Stride: Montclair’s Pride Stride, is a four-day 5k walk and run event that begins and ends at Montclair Brewery on Walnut Street (where participants can order a free beer). It kicks off June 17 and runs through the 20th. The event is only open to 100 participants at a time, due to COVID-19 restrictions, according to the event website. There are virtual festivities, as well. Funds raised will benefit Out Montclair.
Pride in the Park Scotch Plains: Pride in the Park will happen at the Augustine Village Green on June 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will feature crafts, music and a flag-raising. Community support groups will be available.
Pride Night at FirstEnergy Park: The Jersey Shore Blueclaws minor league baseball team will host its second Pride Night at its game against the Brooklyn Cyclones on June 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first 1,500 fans will receive a free baseball cap, according to the team’s website. Players will wear rainbow-themed jerseys.
North Jersey Pride Picnic began in 2011 with a picnic in the park. Some 150 people came to celebrate LGTBQ Pride...and a tradition was born. This year, after a (much too) long hiatus, we will again gather on the hill in Memorial Park to remind one another that nothing, not even a global pandemic, can stop our beautiful LGBTQ & Ally community from celebrating PRIDE!!!
Sun., June 13th @ 3PM
Memorial Park | Maplewood, NJ
You bring the picnic blankets, beach chairs and loved ones and we'll bring the music, food trucks and family fun! We'll be updating this page with the latest Covid-19 protocols so we can all stay safe as we CELEBRATE!!!
Be Allies to our LGBTQ+ Friends and Families
June 17, 7:30 p.m. – Virtual
CHS Spectrum Club, SOMA Two Towns for All Ages
Hilton Neighborhood Association
Virtual Pride 21 - Social Justice Power Hour
June 12, 7 p.m. – Virtual
Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice
Family Photo Day
June 26, 1 p.m. – Farrell Field
South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange Village
Drag Queen Bingo
June 27, 1 p.m. – Sloan Street
South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange Village
Booklists
Join Local Pride Facebook Groups
To connect or to continue learning about the AAPI culture we encourage you to follow or join one of the groups below:
The School District of South Orange & Maplewood
Email: communications@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us
Location: 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-762-5600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somsdk12
Twitter: @SOMSDK12