As a Matter of Fact!
SOMSD Newsletter: Vol. 4, Issue 6 | 2.28.23
Superintendent's Message
South Orange & Maplewood School District Community,
This month we celebrated Black History Month. Throughout our schools and in the community students celebrated and learned about the importance and rich history of African Americans. From a virtual book club event to a “My Black is Beautiful” event with special guest Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr., at SOMS, to a Virtual HBCU Panel Featuring Superintendent Dr. Taylor and the
3rd Annual Black History Month Oratory Contest at MMS to the MAC-curated Black History Month Gallery installation and BHM Family Feud event at CHS and assemblies and teachings throughout all of our schools, I am so proud to be part of a District that values and celebrates our diversity.
As part of Black History Month we had the opportunity to celebrate Delia Bolden, the first African-American woman to graduate from Columbia High School. I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of Principal Hutchinson and Asst. Principal Rivera and the Delia Bolden staff and students, as well as our SLT and all who contributed to the ribbon cutting and formal renaming of the Deila Bolden Elementary School. We also offer a very special thank you to the CHS Archive Committee who helped to not only bring the great Delia Bolden to our attention, but were also instrumental in connecting us to the family members of Deila Bolden, who were present the day of the ribbon cutting and ceremony! To hear first-hand of Delia Bolden’s legacy from her great-niece, Dr. Carole Willis was inspiring. You can learn more about the event in the write-up and video link that is a part of this month’s newsletter below.
Happy 100 Anniversary to our very own Marshall Elementary! Thank you to Principal Horn and her team for alerting us to the 100 year anniversary of Marshall. Please be sure to check out Principal Horn’s video below for more information on this momentous occasion which was celebrated last week on the 100th day of school.
Feb 21 - 24th was also Crossing Guard Appreciation Week! Our crossing guards are out in good weather and bad helping to make our streets safer and ensuring our students and parents get to school safely - on behalf of the District we thank them and recognize the important work they do every school day. Even if you missed the week, it's not to late to say thank you and show your appreciation. In addition, elementary schools celebrated the 100th day of school with various activities during the week of February 14th.
We are also happy to share that our recently approved new District Directors have officially started in their roles. Check out our three questions sections below, to learn a little more about them and you can view our January newsletter that highlighted our new Directors of Access and Equity, Curriculum and Instruction and Human Resources.
Finally, at our most recent Board meeting we had the opportunity to provide the Year 2 review and Year 3 considerations for our District’s Intentional Integration Initiative. I encourage you to watch the presentation on our YouTube channel (the presentation can be accessed here). Have a great March!
Educationally yours,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools
SOMSD Current Academic School Year Calendars Updates
SOMSD Community, please note, revisions have been made to the academic calendar. The changes currently only impact the remainder of the 2023 school year and were approved by the BOE during the February 23rd public board meeting. Click here to view the updates. The following (2) District closure dates are now added to the calendar:
- EID al-Fitr, April 21, 2023
- Election Day, June 6, 2023
Delia Bolden Elementary School Holds Monumental Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
The South Orange & Maplewood School District along with Delia Bolden Elementary School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Delia Bolden on Wednesday, February 15. Due to limited space availability only Delia Bolden administrators, staff, students and special invited guests were in attendance for this momentous occasion.
We were pleased to commemorate this monumental event (Delia Bolden Renaming) with invited guests which included District senior leadership, building administrators/PTA representatives, BOE members (current/former), government officials which included, Assistant Commissioner of Education, and members of Delia Bolden’s family.
A taping of the event can be viewed via the District’s YouTube channel. For background information on the Delia Bolden Elementary School Renaming please view the 7/1/22 press release announcement: https://bit.ly/3nwkh1j
District and school leaders, BOE president, Department of Education officials with living members of Delia Bolden's Family in symbolic Delia Bolden ribbon cutting ceremony.
Delia Bolden's niece, Dr. Carole Willis commemorates the historic renaming by cutting the ribbon. She was joined by her daughters, grand-daughter and son-in-law.
Special guest speaker, Dr. Carole Willis, a lifelong educator, was a surprise guest speaker for the event. She was joined by her daughters, grand-daughter and son-in-law. Many thanks to the CHS archive committee members who helped to locate living members of Delia Bolden's family.
Delia Bolden Elementary teachers, staff and students attending the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Delia Bolden Elementary teachers, staff and students attending the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Marshall Elementary Marks Its Centennial - Happy 100 Years!
As most elementary schools in the District celebrated their 100th day of school in mid-February, Marshall Elementary had an additional milestone to celebrate, their Centennial Year.
Marshall celebrated its school's historical centennial mark with a centennial celebration video that included old photos of Marshall, former students, principals, and artifacts. It was shown to students and staff on February 17. In addition, Marshall alumni visited the school and sang the Marshall School song and shared memories of their time at the school. Click here to view Marshall's 100 Years Centennial Video.
Three Questions - Getting to Know Our New District Senior Leadership Staff
Zoila Correa, Director, Curriculum & Instruction
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. I personally love the message of the transforming power of love. Specifically, the true love that comes from a child because they love with all their heart.
Who had the most influence on you growing up?
The people that had the most influence on me growing up, without hesitation, I would have to say…my parents. My parents were immigrants that came to the US with absolutely nothing and worked hard for everything we needed. They created a better life for their first-generation children. They taught me all about resilience, work ethic, and always to love and defend the least of these. All my achievements are not only mine but ours. Their sacrifices paved the way for my siblings and me. Everything I do will be forever influenced by who they are and how they raised me.
If you could instantly learn a new talent, what would it be?
If I could instantly learn a new talent, it would be to have the ability to sing. I love to sing and dance. If you ever drive next to me and peek in my car, you may find me singing at the top of my lungs without a care in the world that my singing needs a lot of help. There are many talented musicians in my family, but I am not one of them. However that doesn't stop me, I am perfectly fine with singing out of tune.
Tunde Adedoyin, Director HR
Italy. It's a beautiful country with rich history, culture, food and art. The cities are a sight to see; from Venice to Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast. You honestly need two to three weeks to enjoy all of it. I consider myself a "foodie" but funny enough I had the best pizza in my life at a highway rest stop in Italy.
You can have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life, what is it?
Youth. I would want to be Forever Young. One of my favorite quotes: "Let us die young or let us live forever." Emphasis on the latter.
Who had the most influence on you growing up?
My father. As an immigrant from Nigeria, the sacrifices he made and the challenges he encountered influenced me a great deal. He taught me the importance of hard-work, helping others and overall being a genuine good person. He is my hero and I am chasing everything he's accomplished in life thus far.
Kerri Waibel, Director, Access & Equity
I am currently reading the Flat World and Education: How America's Commitment to Equity Will Determine Our Future Linda Darling-Hammond; and my favorite book series is Harry Potter.
Would you rather have invisibility or flight?
Flight. It is important to step back and see the whole picture. It would be nice to see the world too!
Who had the most influence on you growing up?
My parents. My mother taught me to be dedicated to family and work, she still shows me this everyday. My father taught me love fiercely and take time to enjoy life.
2023-2024 SY New Student Registration Now Open
New student registration enrollment for the 2023 - 2024 school year (fall, September 2023) is currently underway. Enrollment deadlines by grade level is outline below. For more information visit: bit.ly/23-24SOMSDRegistration
Preschool: February 21 - March 10
Columbia High School: March 13 - March 17
Intentional Integration Grades (1st, 2nd, 6th & 7th): March 20 - March 31
General Open Enrollment for ALL grades (K-12): May 15
Please note, students CURRENTLY enrolled in and attending a District school/program (Prek-11) are not required to re-enroll for the 2023- 24 SY.
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 / Reminders
- March 1 - 31: Women's History Month
- March 8 - 10: Elementary (PreK - 5) Early Dismissal Days - Parent Teacher Conference Days
- Thursday, March 16: Board of Education - Budget Adoption Meeting
- Tuesday, March 21: Prek - 12 Early Dismissal Day - Teacher PD
- Thursday, March 30: Board of Education Monthly Public Meeting
- April 3 - 6: Schools Closed, Spring Break
- Friday, April 7: Good Friday - District Closed
- Friday, April 21: Eid al-Fitr, District Closed
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