As a Matter of Fact!
SOMSD Newsletter: Vol. 4, Issue 3 | 11.22.22
Superintendent's Message
Hello SOMSD Community,
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I want to take this opportunity to send our SOMSD community a word of thanks and my warmest wishes for a happy and safe holiday celebration with your loved ones.
On behalf of our Board of Education and District leaders, it’s also my privilege to express our appreciation for the continued, unwavering dedication of our school administrators, teachers, staff and parents/guardians. As we have all experienced in the last 24 months, nothing is promised nor is anything more important than the health and safety of those who we cherish as well as our community as a whole. I am thankful to all who have contributed to our first few months of school and the return to normalcy for our students.
While we continue to push to bring our generational initiatives to fruition, we are thankful that ‘temporary/portable’ classrooms are no longer a reality for our students and staff whose buildings have or are currently undergoing construction as they have moved into our new school building expansions. We are thankful that our Intentional Integration Initiative (III) has now placed close to 1,600 students in our schools via an equitable methodology that has resulted in our schools populations more closely resembling the diversity that our towns so proudly represent.
We are also thankful for our partnership with groups such as Equal Opportunity Schools, that have resulted in a significant growth of the enrollment of Black and Brown students in our most challenging course offerings (Advanced Placement). Lastly, and most importantly, we are thankful for each day that we have the honor of serving our students, families and community.
I wish our staff, students and District families a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Educationally yours,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools
November is Native American / American Indian History Month
November is federally recognized as National Native American Heritage Month (NNAHM). During this month, American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are honored and celebrated for their rich and varied cultures, traditions, history, and societal contributions. NNAHM gives us an opportunity to educate ourselves, our students, staff and community about Native Americans, increase our knowledge of the unique challenges faced by this population, both historically and in the present, as well as the ways in which people of Native descent have worked to overcome and conquer these challenges.
In 1990, a joint resolution was passed by Congress and signed into law by the late President George H. W. Bush declaring November Native American Indian Heritage Month. Within this joint resolution, Native citizens were recognized as America’s original inhabitants who made essential contributions to both the United States and the world,
According to the US Department of Interior, as of 2021, there are 574 federally recognized Tribes in the United States. However, numerous others are still advocating for recognition. Although many Native Americans still reside on reservations, approximately 71 percent live in metropolitan areas. To date, Tribal citizens constitute about 2.5 percent of the total U.S. population. Despite American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living among the larger society, much of their history has been forgotten (PDF | 48 KB) or overlooked. For this very reason, NNAHM is of the utmost importance. This month can serve as a reminder of America’s indigenous people, or even provide many with a new understanding.
For additional resources regarding Native American and Indigenous peoples, please visit the following sites:
Around the District!
2022 Parenting Center Annual Holiday Toy Drive
Now in its 25th year, the South Orange & Maplewood School District’s Parenting Center Annual Toy Drive provides gifts for children in our District. Last year our toy drive benefitted over 450 children and 150 families in our two communities. This year, we are once again counting on you to help us bring the spirit of the holidays to those in need in our community. Contributions/donations are being accepted via:
- On-line tax-deductive contribution to https://gofund.me/6d48284e (or search SOMSD Annual Holiday Toy Drive on gofundme.com);
- New toy drop-off bins at SOMSD elementary schools (starting on Nov. 18);
- Mail a check;
- Buy one, donate one at local stores Spark House, Paper Hat and Toy Division and Words.
For more details click the following link: bit.ly/2022ToyDrive
Congratulations to the CHS Parnassian Society
Congrats to the Parnassian Society's cast and crew for a successful performance of "Every Brilliant Thing." Columbia High School’s 127 year-old drama club, the Parnassian Society's fall production, "Every Brilliant Thing" by Duncan Macmillan ran from November 17 - 20 at 8PM in the CHS Black Box Theatre.
Directed by Stephen J. Stubelt and produced by Janet Bustrin, the ensemble cast features Madison McGehee, Sabrina Mannion, Scott Barton, Davis Favors, Justice Muhammad, Hayden Groner, Ash Barton, and Teddy O’Brien. Co-stage managers are Ryan Baum-Joseph and Chloe Short.
South Orange Middle School River-Friendly Certification Ceremony
Congratulations to South Orange Middle School (SOMS) who received River-Friendly Certification through a partnership with Rahway River Watershed Association (RRWA). SOMS 7th grade Science teachers and SOMS administrators hosted a certification ceremony on Thursday, November 3rd at 1:30 pm at South Orange Middle School (front entrance) which included the unveiling of a sign placed in front of South Orange Middle School displaying recognition of this truly outstanding accomplishment. Learn more about SOM's river-friendly certification.
The District Welcomes Incoming 2023 Board of Education Members
Congratulations to candidates Regina Eckert, Bill Gifford and Nubia Wilson who were elected to the SOMSD Board of Education on November 8. Eckert, Gifford and Wilson will be formally sworn-in to the Board of Education during the Board reorganization meeting on Wednesday, January 5, 2023. For more information on the Board meetings visit: https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/board-of-education/
Essex County Executive Announces New Schedule for Essex County Covid-19 Vaccination Mobile Clinic
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that the Essex County Division of Health is transitioning the COVID-19 Vaccination Mobile Clinic schedule for the winter. There will be no clinics scheduled the week of November 21st because of the Thanksgiving holiday and the new schedule will begin on Monday, November 28th.
The new schedule will begin Monday, November 28th and will be as follows:
- Mondays from 2 to 6 pm at the Hall of Records Parking Garage Conference Room, 84 West Market Street in Newark
- Tuesdays from 2 to 6 pm at the Essex County Watsessing Park Community Center at 38 Conger Street in Bloomfield
- Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Chris Gatling Community Center at 291 Union Avenue in Irvington
- Thursdays from 2 to 6 pm at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in the Berson Education Building at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange.
- Only the Moderna vaccine will be offered at the mobile locations for people ages 6 years and older. COVID-19 testing is not being offered.
- Appointments are recommended and can be made at EssexCOVID.org or 973-877-8456.
REMINDER: Sign-Up to Receive Text Message Updates & Reminder to Update Contact Information in School Messenger
Opt-In For Text Messages
In order to participate in the text messaging service, you must indicate your willingness to receive text messages to your phone, even if you received text messages this year. You must do this whether you have a child in the school system or belong to a community organization that wants to keep up-to-date with our alerts. To learn more about signing up for SMS text messaging visit: website: https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/headlines/district-news/2019/12/16/sms-text-message-communications-from-the-district/
SOMSD Upcoming Dates/Events
- Wednesday, November 23: Early Dismissal
- November 24 - 25: Thanksgiving Break (District Closed)
- Thursday, December 15: Board of Education Monthly Public Session Meeting @ 6:30pm
Additional Information & Resources for the Community
- 2022-23 SY Return to School Guidelines, News, Resources & Updates
- District SMS/Text Messages
- Chromebook 1:1 District Initiative
- SOMSD Mental Health & Counseling Resources
- Student Discipline & Code of Conduct Policy
- SOMSD Intentional Integration Initiative (III) Microsite
- District Withdrawals/OOD Transfers
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