District News & Announcements
SOMSD Weekly Wrap-Up Newsletter – May 8, 2020
Teacher Appreciation Week: A Thank You from Superintendent Taylor
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” ― W.B. Yeats
May 5, 2020
SOMSD Staff,
Happy Teacher Appreciation Day (Week)! As we celebrate this annual acknowledgment of the individuals in our society who have chosen as a profession one of the most important, challenging, and satisfying undertakings ever known, please allow me to say ‘Thank you’. Whether you teach Pre-K or AP Chemistry, being a great teacher is an important, challenging, and satisfying role.
The importance of our profession does not just rest solely on the academic outcomes and skill mastery that we are held accountable for. What is truly important is that our students may be profoundly impacted by not just our formal lessons, but by literally every word that comes out of our mouths on any single day. When we remember our teachers, we often remember the toughest ones…the most challenging. The importance of those tough (but fair) instructors was most likely not the lesson’s content but the overall expectations. We learned about our own personal capacity for excellence. We learned that grit and tenacity resided inside of us. This is not only important, but it is also life-changing!
The challenge of being a great teacher lies in the effort we put forward as we always yearn for the ‘perfect lesson’. The lesson that is differentiated, to engage all learners, with their variety of learning styles and outside interests. The lesson that is equitable and culturally competent, yet fun and captivating. The lesson that has rigor and common sense fair evaluations of its effectiveness. The challenge of that perfect lesson lies in the fact that its attainment only makes you strive to replicate it for the next 5 hours of the day!
The satisfaction that we experience when the perfect lesson is executed is euphoric! We see that our lesson plans, curriculum, and PLCs were not just adhered to as a mandate by our supervisors, but these tools truly link to how we TEACH! For neophyte teachers in our profession, this is satisfaction; for seasoned educators, we know that true unmatched satisfaction comes from our students when they return to us years later as fully formed human beings who actually remember ‘us’! Euphoria is knowing that ‘we’ contributed to this ‘person’. That is the true ‘Teacher Appreciation’ moment.
Please know that you are valued and appreciated by your Board of Education, Superintendent, School Leadership Team, Principals, and District Administration Team. We know, as research tells us, the most important variable linked to the success of a student is an excellent teacher. Our current distance learning circumstances are no different, and our students need you more than ever.
Though it may be challenging, continue to push forward, because we understand that the work we do is even more important during these times. Wishing you and your families well, be safe! Onward and upward…
Educationally yours,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor,
Superintendent of Schools
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SOMSD Expands Food Support Programs
SOMSD Food Support Programs
Programas de apoyo alimentario de SOMSD
Pwogram Sipò pou Manje yo
District Food Service:
If your family needs food support during our school closing…
All district students are now able to receive free meals!
SOMSD Food Service will now provide meals to any district students and siblings under the age of 18, including the District’s out of district placements, and those attending charter schools regardless of eligibility status.
Packed /hot lunches are being distributed at:
- Columbia High School
- Seth Boyden School
Every School Day from
11:00AM – 1:00 PM
Parenting Center: Food Support Initiative
If your family needs additional food support…
If you need food support during our school closure, please let us know, and based on availability we will arrange for food delivery for your family. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
You can request support by either:
- Email: kweiland@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us
- For email please provide your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.
- Phone: Call the Parenting Center: 973-762-5600, X1850
- Please leave a voice message, provide your name and repeat your phone number twice (please speak slowly) – if, you do not leave a phone #, we will be unable to contact you.
The SOMSD community is a family & we support each other during challenging times.
Español: Programas de apoyo alimentario de SOMSD
Si su familia necesita ayuda para recibir comida durante el cierre de nuestros colegios…
Todos los estudiantes del distrito pueden recibir comida de manera gratuita!
El departamento de Alimentación de SOMSD ahora proporcionará comidas a todos los estudiantes y hermanos del distrito menores de 18 años, incluso a aquellos que han sido asignados a escuelas fuera del distrito escolar y a aquellos que asisten a escuelas autónomas, independientemente del estado de elegibilidad.
Los almuerzos se distribuirán en…
- Seth Boyden School
- Columbia High School
Todos los días escolares de:
11:00am – 1:00 PM
A nadie se le negará una comida
Si su familia necesita ayuda para recibir comida adicional …
Si cree que necesitará ayuda para recibir comida durante el cierre de nuestros colegios, por favor háganoslo saber y organizaremos una entrega de alimentos para su familia.
Por favor:
- Mande un correo electrónico a kweiland@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us (o)
- Llame a Parenting Center – 973-762-5600, X1850
- Por favor, deje su nombre y número de teléfono y nos pondremos en contacto con usted con detalles. Hable despacio y con claridad y repita su número de teléfono dos veces.
Si solicita ayuda para recibir comida, compartiremos su información de contacto con un voluntario de la comunidad que hará una entrega de alimentos a su hogar.
La comunidad SOMSD es una familia y nos apoyamos mutuamente en tiempos difíciles.
Kreyòl Ayisyen: Pwogram Sipò pou Manje yo
Si fanmi ou bezwen sipò manje pandan lekòl fèmen…
Tout elèv nan distri yo kounye a kapab resevwa manje gratis!
Sèvis Manje SOMSD pral kounye a bay manje a nenpòt elèv distri ak frè ak sè ki poko genyen laj 18 tan, ki gen ladan plasman Distri a soti nan distri a, ak moun ki ale nan lekòl charter kèlkeswa estati kalifikasyon.
Yap distruba manje nan:
- Lekòl Columbia High
- Lekòl Seth Boyden
Chak jou:
11:00am – 1:00 PM
Tout moun akeyi
Centre Paran: Inisyativ Sipò Manje
Si fanmi ou bezwen plis sipò manje…
Si ou santi ke w ap bezwen sipò manje fè nou konnen epi nou pral fè aranjman pou yon delivre manje pou fanmi ou. Si ou mande sipò pou manje nou pral bay enfòmasyon kontak ou a yon volontè nan kominote a ki pral fè yon delivre manje lakay ou.
- Imèl: kweiland@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us (ou)
- Pou imèl tanpri bay non ou ak nimewo telefòn e nou pral kontakte ou avèk detay
- Rele Centre Paran nan: 973 762 5600 Ext: 1850;
- Tanpri kite ou non ak nimewo telefòn ak non pou nou kap kontakte ou avèk detay. Tanpri pale dousman epi byen klè & tanpri repete nimewo telefòn omwen de fwa.
Kominote SOMSD se yon fanmi & nou sipòte chak lòt pandan moman difisil yo.
Public Notice – Virtual BOE Meeting, 5/11 and BOE Retreat, 5/18
INFORMATION FOR THE MAY 11, 2020 MEETING
Join The Board of Education Meeting – Computer
- Open a web browser.
- Navigate to www.somsd.k12.nj.us/webmeeting.
- Provide your name and email address.
- Event Password: iUbNSpmM524
- Select Join by browser.
Join The Board of Education Meeting – Telephone (audio only)
- Dial the toll free number: (408) 418-9388
- Enter the access code: 714 615 641
- Enter the meeting password: 48267766
Members of the public can participate in the Hearings of Individuals and Delegations portion of the meeting by sending in a comment via the online video platform question section or using the question form found on www.somsd.k12.nj.us/boequestions.
SOMSD Schools Closed for the School Year & Grading Protocol for 4th Marking Period
Dear SOMSD Parent/Guardian,
As of today, May 4, 2020, Governor Murphy has made the decision that all New Jersey schools will remain closed for in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year. Therefore, our District will continue with the distance learning instruction methodology that we transitioned to on March 18.
COVID-19 has prompted a shift in how K-12 instruction is normally delivered across the country. Additionally, this change has led the District to create a revised and temporary grading strategy for the fourth marking period. Below please find the District’s adjustment and new approach to our grading system.