As a Matter of Fact!
SOMSD Newsletter | Vol 3. Issue 7 | 12.23.21
Superintendent's Holiday Message
Happy Holidays South Orange and Maplewood School District Community,
As we prepare to put 2021 in the past, we should have a sense of pride for all we have accomplished together over the last year. As we move into 2022, we should remain hopeful about our future. I am so grateful to our administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents for your dedication and service.
We care deeply about everyone in our community and want to keep each other safe and healthy. Once again, the winter and holiday season has brought a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. We are asking all students, families, and staff to exercise caution and continue to practice prevention strategies such as mask wearing, physical distancing, limiting the size of gatherings, and getting vaccinated. Please stay safe and healthy.
On behalf of the Board of Education and the District, I want to wish you a Happy Holiday season and a safe and Happy New Year. Thank you for all you do. Please enjoy your much-deserved winter break and see you in 2022!
Educationally yours,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor
The District to Begin 2022 School Year All-Virtual Starting on Jan 4 with a Return to In-Person Instruction on Jan. 10
As we enter into the holiday and winter break the District, in collaboration with our local health departments (both Maplewood and South Orange) and school nurses, has been closely monitoring our community COVID-19 numbers. In consultation with these stakeholders and based on NJDOH guidelines, we are committed to make any changes to our protocols and delivery of instruction if needed based on the numbers of positive cases.
Therefore, post-winter break, in order to protect the health of staff and students, we will begin the 2022 school year with virtual instruction. Beginning on Tuesday, January 4, ALL students and staff will transition to all-virtual instruction. All staff and students will return to school for in-person instruction on Monday, January 10, 2022.
Click the link to view the full letter that was sent to the SOMSD community on December 22: https://bit.ly/32uVJyn
Post Winter Break Virtual Instruction & Reminders for PreK - 12 Families: Accessing CANVAS, Technology, PowerSchool, Seesaw and More
Dear SOMSD Families,
The South Orange Maplewood School District recently announced that we will conduct virtual instruction for all students immediately following the Winter Break. As a result, we will continue to rely heavily on our Learning Management System, Canvas to deliver instruction during the January 4th - January 7 virtual school days. While we know that many of our families are very comfortable with Canvas, below you will find information that should help you access your child’s (and your) Canvas accounts if needed.
Click the following link for details on how to access Canvas (for students/parents); PowerSchool; Google Suite; Seesaw and other technology related needs: https://bit.ly/3msXeVa
Please take a moment to ensure that you have access to your account. If you find that you require assistance please inform us immediately, understanding that most of the District will be closed during the holiday and winter break and staff will be on leave until January 4th. Therefore, any emails will be responded to upon school reopening on Tuesday, January 4. Thank you, wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season.
South Orange & Maplewood School District, Curriculum & Instruction Department
MediMobile Covid-19 Testing Canceled During Holiday Break
- Christmas Day, Sat., 12/25 (Testing Canceled)
- Wed., 12/29 (Testing Canceled)
- New Year's Day, Sat., 1/1 (Testing Canceled)
For information on testing locations visit: Essexcovid.org
REMINDER: What To Do If Your Child Tests Positive for COVID-19 During Winter Break
If you receive a positive result on a home based test, please get a PCR or rapid antigen lab based test to confirm. All lab based COVID tests are reported to the local health department and a contact tracer will contact you. Contact the local health department if you do not hear from a contact tracer within 24 hours of receiving your positive test result. Contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Sidenote: If your child develops any COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your health care provider and request the child be tested for COVID-19. Find COVID-19 testing sites: essexcovid.org.
COMMUNITY UPDATE: High Transmission Essex County CALI Score Quarantine Guidance
As of Thursday, December 16, 2021 the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) once again released new guidance allowing students to revert back to a 7-10 day quarantine (depending on a negative test) with the recommendation that 14 days is still endorsed and preferred. Due to the immediate changes made within the past week, high transmission levels and outbreaks in some of our schools, SOMSD along with the SOMA Health Departments are continuing to adopt the 14 day quarantine while we enter the holiday season. For the District this means that all quarantines issued this and next week will have a return date of January 4, 2021. The District and local health departments plan to monitor transmission rates during the holiday break and based on #s will reassess and determine if we will revert back to the new 7-10 days quarantine guidance in the new year. We ask for your patience, as the Covid situation remains fluid. As a District, we will continue to follow federal, state and local guidance to ensure that our staff and students are safe.
Please refer to the original communication sent to the SOMSD community on 12/9/21 - click the link: https://bit.ly/3oF6wPn
SOMSD Health Message: Seasonal Flu & COVID-19 Information from School Nurses
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children Ages 5 - 11
AROUND THE DISTRICT
CHS Cookie Distribution to all Teachers and Staff!
Eight CHS Students Wrap-Up the Johnson & Johnson Technology Awareness Program
CHS Students were invited to participate in the Johnson & Johnson Technology Awareness Program (TAP). TAP is a partnership program between Johnson & Johnson, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and surrounding schools where students gain real-life experience working with professionals while attending to their daily academic responsibilities. Students that took part in the program were:
Chimezie Agba, Sophomore
Lukas Alexander, Sophomore
Nicholas Gomez, Sophomore
Ava Katz, Sophomore
Nikolas Stellini, Sophomore
Nicholas Alexander, Junior
Owen Friedman, Junior
Makayla Ojentis, Junior
As part of the Technology Awareness Program, they were given a business problem to assess. Their team developed a well-thought-out business and technical solution and presented this solution to Johnson & Johnson executives. During the development process, the student demonstrated several skills such as brainstorming, negotiating, decision making, problem-solving and presenting. Johnson & Johnson professionals introduced students to weekly virtual interactive sessions on several topics for both Information Technology as well as Research & Development. The virtual program gave the students hands-on experience within the real corporate world. The students were recognized for their work at a banquet on 12/1 on NJIT Campus where J&J Vice Presidents recognized them individually for their work.
SOMSD 2021-22 Upcoming Events
- December 23: District-wide Early Dismissal School Schedule
- December 24 - January 1: Holiday Recess
- January 3: New Year's Day - District Closed
- January 4: School Reopens to All-Virtual Instruction for all SOMSD Students/Staff
- January 5: BOE Reorganization Meeting
- January 10: In-Person Instruction Resumes for SOMSD
- January 10: Special Board Retreat - Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Training @ 6:30 (Hybrid)
- January 17: MLK - District Closed
- January 24: BOE Public Meeting, BOE Building, 7:30pm
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