As a Matter of Fact!
SOMSD Newsletter | Vol 3. Issue 6 | 11.24.21
Superintendent's Message
Dear South Orange and Maplewood School District Community,
As we move into the season where many in our community pause to reflect and give ‘thanks’, I would like to acknowledge and thank all who have assisted our District in overcoming many obstacles to successfully launch and sustain our school year.
Our school leaders, teachers and support staff (central office, counselors, CST members, school nurses, facilities department, etc.) as well as our students, families and community members...you have all had a hand in us reaching the Thanksgiving milestone that in the past we would have taken for granted. We have all sacrificed to mitigate the spread of COVID 19 in our schools. We have all given some of ourselves towards the greater good of our school district family.
As we entered last summer and this fall, we repeatedly vowed that we would do all we could to return our students to schools that operated in a fashion that would be ‘as close to pre-COVID as possible’. That meant full days with lunch periods, traditional academic schedules, music, sports, clubs and afterschool programs. Thanks to you, we have been able to fulfill this promise, while working tirelessly to keep everyone healthy and safe. We did this while successfully implementing year 1 of our Intentional Integration Initiative and breaking ground on the first of many construction projects. Those two generational goals would have been considered ambitious during a typical school year, and we are very proud of our progress thus far.
We know that the challenge of COVID 19 is far more impactful than just the possible physical illness. The social-emotional toll that our students and staff members feel cannot be ignored. We know that the need for support is not always apparent from an individual’s presentation. Over the last few years, our annual budget has added mental health support to our schools. We urge our families to let your schools know if you sense that your child is having challenges that you ‘cannot quite put your finger on'. To our instructional professionals and school leaders, we encourage you to do the same for yourselves. Let your supervisor or our HR Department know if you need support.
With that being said, we must continue to recognize that the threat of COVID 19 is still with us. We must stay vigilant. As recently as last week, schools not far from us have had to close due to ‘in-school spread’. To assist in preventing this from occurring in our schools, we are providing additional testing opportunities in our District while of course publicizing and encouraging vaccinations for all of our stakeholders. s. Similar to our Fall Break Travel Survey, we will share your responses with your Principals so they can ensure that virtual instruction is verified and in place for your child.
Lastly, as we give thanks, I’d like to personally and publicly thank our Board of Education, the Superintendent’s Cabinet Members (also known as the SLT), Lead Nurse Porter, our Departments of Health, Mayor McGehee, Village President Collum, and our Principals and Teachers for your tireless support as we continue to push through the challenges of the pandemic on the behalf of our children, families and community.
Educationally yours,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor
MediMobile Testing Dates (No Testing During Thanksgiving Break)
The MediMobile Covid-19 testing clinic will is offered every Saturday starting from 9am - 3pm at Columbia High School and now on Wednesdays, 4pm - 6pm, Board of Education Office, 525 Academy Street in the District Meeting Room (DMR). For more information visit:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday break, no testing will be provided by MediMobile on Wed., November 24 and Sat., November 27.
District News
Underhill Field Reopening Update
In the meantime, our soft reopening plans have included our students utilizing the space while a staff member is present, as well as the resumption of our athletic competitions. We also have begun to review requests from community athletic organizations to utilize the space with new security measures. We will formally release further reopening plans over the next few weeks.
Welcome, Facilities Director, Thomas Giglio
Mr. Giglio will oversee the day to day custodial and maintenance operations of District facilities and ensure a safe, clean, and comfortable school environment; manage project timelines, and prioritize project approvals and completions; carry out administrative tasks to include serving as the District point of contact for all Local, State and Federal compliance visits (Right to Know, PEOSH, annual Fire Marshall compliance inspections, Health Official inspections) as required and to maintain and operate all facilities to the required standards.
His passion is to provide children with the most secure, healthiest and safest learning environment possible. He shared, "Our children are our biggest asset, our biggest accomplishments, and I am truly honored to contribute towards their education by being an officer in the New Jersey School Building and Grounds Association as well as the Past President to the New Jersey Association of Designated Persons. With whatever we do in life I believe we can always work hard and be kind. It takes a village to raise a child...it takes a team to reach our goals."
Congratulations to the Parnissian Society
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children Ages 5 - 11
SOMSD 2021-22 Upcoming Events
- November 24: District-Wide Early Dismissal
- November 25 - 26: Thanksgiving Break (District Closed)
- December 1 - 3: Elementary Parent/Teacher Conference - Early Dismissal Schedule (K-5)
- December 7: Teacher PD - Early Dismissal Schedule (students only)
- Mon., December 13: BOE Meeting, Public Session @ 7:30 pm
- December 23: District-wide Early Dismissal School Schedule
- December 24 - January 1: Holiday Recess
- January 3: New Year's Day - District Closed
- January 17: MLK - District Closed
Additional Information & Resources for the Community
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