• Skip to main content
  • District Home
  • Schools
    • Columbia High School
    • Maplewood Middle School
    • South Orange Middle School
    • Clinton Elementary School
    • Delia Bolden Elementary School
    • Marshall Elementary School
    • Montrose Early Childhood Center
    • Seth Boyden Elementary School
    • South Mountain Elementary School
    • Tuscan Elementary School
  • 2022-23 School Year Guidelines
    • COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination
  • About
    • About SOMSD
    • Our Schools
    • Achieve Foundation
    • Attendance Information
    • Community Digital Backpack
    • Community Partners
    • Family Resources
    • School Hours
    • School Performance Reports
    • School Zones
    • SOMSD Integration
    • Withdrawals/Transfer OOD
    • Strategic Plan
    • Student Code of Conduct
    • Contact Us
      • Chain of Command
      • Directory
      • District Org Chart
      • Website Feedback
  • Departments
    • Department Directory
    • Office of the Superintendent
    • Access & Equity
      • Access & Equity Policy
      • Comprehensive Equity Plan
      • Presentations & Reports
      • HIB
      • Title IX
    • Assessments
      • News & Assessment Information
      • ATLAS
      • Gifted & Talented Protocols
    • Beyond the Bell
    • Business Office
      • Facilities & Grounds
      • Long Range Facilities Plan
    • Communications
    • Food Services
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Nursing Services
    • Parenting Center
    • Preschool Education
    • Registration
    • Safety & Security
    • Special Services
    • Transportation
  • Board of Education
    • About the BOE
      • Current BOE Members
    • Advisory Opinions
    • Annual Agenda
    • Board Meetings
      • Agendas
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Minutes
      • Presentations
      • BOE Newsletter Recap
      • Watch Online
      • Watch On TV
    • Submit a BOE Recognition
    • Board Policies
    • BOE Committees
    • District & BOE Goals
    • Mission Statement
    • Office of Civil Rights
    • Public Notices
  • Academics
    • Academics Directory
    • Summer Assignments & Reading List
    • Summer Programs
    • Fine & Performing Arts
    • Request for Reconsideration of Materials
    • Health & Physical Education
    • Language Arts
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • Social Studies
    • World Language & ESL
  • Quick Links
    • Parents
      • Canvas
      • Achieve Foundation
      • Community Pass
      • Directory
      • Enrollment Information
      • HIB
      • Meal Information
      • PowerSchool
      • PowerSchool Parent Portal Help
      • Rubicon Atlas
      • School Calendar & Handbook
      • Schools
      • SCOIR
      • Testing & Assessment
    • Students
      • Canvas
      • Classlink
      • Directory
      • District Email
      • Google Drive
      • HIB
      • Meal Information
      • PowerSchool
      • School Calendar & Handbook
      • SCOIR
      • Star Renaissance
      • Testing & Assessments
      • Working Papers Form
    • Staff
      • Canvas
      • Classlink
      • Community Pass Admin
      • Data Warehouse
      • District Email
      • Duo Self Service Portal
      • Frontline 504
      • Frontline – AESOP
      • Frontline – IEP Direct
      • Frontline – My Learning Plan
      • Google Drive
      • GCN – Online Mandatory Training
      • GCN – Online Mandatory Training – Admin
      • HIB
      • Hibster – Admin
      • Pearson Access Next (Teacher / Admin Logins)
      • PowerSchool – Admin
      • PowerSchool – Teachers
      • PowerSchool Registration – Admin
      • Rubicon Atlas
      • Schooldude – IT / Facilities
      • School Messenger (Admin)
      • Star Renaissance
      • Technology Instructions – Staff
      • Technology Purchase Request
    • Mental Health & Counseling Resources
  • Communications
    • District News & Announcements
    • Newsletter
    • Media Requests
      • Media Releases
    • Calendars
      • Online School Year Calendar (Current)
      • District Calendar & Handbook
    • SOMA TV
    • SOMSD Youtube Channel
South Orange-Maplewood School District

A District That Celebrates

Search Results for: Elementary School Social Work Program

2022-23 SY Elementary School Social Work Program Offers Counseling Services for Students in Grades K-5

September 22, 2022 By Communications

For Spanish Translation:  https://bit.ly/3R25KXv |  Haitian Creole Translation: https://bit.ly/3Sjke6E

Elementary School Families,

The Elementary School Social Work Program offers counseling services for students at each of South Orange and Maplewood School District's elementary schools from grades K - 5. The program offers individual and small group counseling with a social work intern. Its aim is to remove barriers to success and to provide students with the social/ emotional support necessary for them to get the most out of their school experience.  

Areas of Focus can Include:

  • Dealing with anxiety
  • Managing your feelings (stress, worry, anger, etc.)
  • Feeling good about yourself
  • Working out friendship problems
  • Dealing with the many changes that COVID-19 has brought to schools and homes
  • Dealing with peer pressure and bullying
  • Dealing with behavioral concerns
  • Dealing with loss or family changes
  • Crisis intervention
  • Referrals

For more information or to request services please fill out the Elementary School Social Work Request Form: https://forms.gle/WCUo9iUSvxnKpTWh7

Additional information on  mental health resources and services can be found on the District website here:  https://bit.ly/SOMSDMHC

September 22, 2022 Filed Under: Clinton, District News & Announcements, Jefferson, Marshall, Seth Boyden, South Mountain, South Mountain Annex, Tuscan Tagged With: Counseling, elementary school social work programs, K-5 counseling

SOMSD Elementary School Social Work Program: Individual & Group Counseling Offerings

September 23, 2020 By Communications

September 23, 2020 Filed Under: District News & Announcements, Jefferson, Maplewood Middle School, Marshall, Montrose, Seth Boyden, South Mountain, South Mountain Annex, South Orange Middle School, Tuscan

SOMSD Elementary School Social Work Program: Individual & Group Counseling Offerings

September 23, 2020 By Communications

Download

Last Updated: 09-23-2020 5:24 pm

Share
DescriptionPreview

September 23, 2020 Filed Under: District News & Announcements

2022-23 School Year Guidelines

2022-23 SY Web Banner
CLICK HERE: For all previous COVID-19 school updates, presentations, and plans from March 2020 - June 2022
2022-23 SY Back to School Guidebook & Emergency Virtual/Remote Plan Expand

In this 2022-23 SY Return to School Guidebook what we hope you will notice is that we are transitioning, like most other school districts, with far fewer restrictions connected to COVID-19. We are hopeful that this transition will ultimately be to an ‘endemic’.

Return to School Guidebook:

  • Click Here:  View 2022-23 SY Return to School Guidebook
  • Download printable PDF:  2022 - 23 SY Return to School Guidebook
  • Spanish:  2022 - 2023 SOMSD Guía de regreso a la escuela
    • View: Ver traducción al españo | Download:  Descargar PDF en español 
  • Haitian Creole:  Gid pou Retounen Lekòl SOMSD pou Ane Eskolè 2022-23: 
    • View:  Li Tradiksyon Kreyòl Ayisyen | Download PDF:  Telechaje Tradiksyon Kreyòl Ayisyen an

2022-23 SY Emergency Virtual/Remote Instruction Plan:

  • View or Download Emergency  Virtual/Remote Instruction Plan (10/4/22)

 

 

2022-23 SY Return to School Key Highlights & Guidelines Expand

2022-23 SY Return to School: Key Highlights

  1. All SOMSD school buildings PreK-12, buses and facilities, regardless of vaccination status, are now mask optional/friendly. District exceptions, where mask will be required, include:
    • During large indoor gatherings;
    • For individuals returning to school after COVID positive isolation on days 6-10 - indoors and outdoors;
    • As recommended by the DOH (i.e., significant increase in transmission, outbreak)
  2. Isolation is required for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and students/staff must stay home when experiencing symptoms of COVID-19;
  3. Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19 in schools and Early Childhood Education (CDC, August 2022);
  4. The District will no longer provide remote access to our classrooms due to Covid-related absences. We are moving back to pre pandemic absence protocols, therefore, absences for Covid-19 will be handled like any other absences for illness, and school work will be provided as it would be in the case for any other illness or absence from school;
  5. We will no longer maintain the weekly Covid dashboard of cases nor will we send school notifications for positive cases.  If there is an outbreak in a SOMSD classroom or school or program, only the affected groups will be notified with public health guidance;
  6. Weekly testing for unvaccinated personnel in school districts is no longer required (August 15, 2022, Governor Murphy signed executive order 302);
  7. In addition to above requirements, parents may make masking and testing decisions for themselves and their children - in school and out in the community -  understanding that they and their children could be exposed to COVID-19 at any time;
  8. We are encouraging vaccinations.
2022-23 SY Free & Reduced Lunch Expand

Spanish | Haitian Creole

For the 2022-23 SY, the USDA meal waiver extension (which provided free meals to all SOMSD students for the 2021-22 SY) will not apply for the  upcoming SY.   For 2022-23 SY SOMSD will offer students healthy meals daily at a reasonable price:

  • Elementary:   $3.25
  • Middle:        $3.50
  • High School: $3.75

Families may prepay for student meals through the Meal Pay Plus online payment system.  

To Receive Free & Reduced Meal Benefits or the 2022-23 SY eligible families must complete a new  free and reduced lunch application online:  Free & Reduced Lunch Application

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The free & reduced meal lunch application needs to be completed every year if families wish for their child(ren) to be considered for free/reduced lunch.  Your status from the previous school year does not carryover from year to year.

2022-23 SY Dates to Know for Families: Assessments, Report Cards, Progress Reports & Conferences Expand
  • SOMSD Community CLICK HERE to view/download the 2022-23 SY Testing, Progress Reports, Report Cards and Elementary Conference Days
  • Click Here for printable PDF

2022 - 23 SY News & Updates

January 2023 Expand
  • January Edition: "As a Matter of Fact" District Newsletter: Supt. Message, Cougar Girls Track Team Wins SEC Essex County Championship, 2023-24 SY New Student Enrollment, Chinese New Year, New BOE Members Take Oath of Office, Around the District and More (1/31/23)
December 2022 Expand
  • December 2022 Holiday Edition: Supt. Holiday Message, 2023-24 New Student Registration,Thanks to Outgoing Board Members, Three Key Roles Filled in District Leadership, Around the District and More...(12/20/22)
  • Board of Education Approves the Appointment of Three Key Roles to District Leadership (12/19/22)
November 2022 Expand
  • November 2022 Edition "As a Matter of Fact" District Newsletter: Supt. Message, Thanksgiving Break, Native American/American Indian Month, CHS Parnassian Society, New BOE Members and More...(11/22/22)
  • Parenting Center: 2022 Toy Drive Now Accepting Donations (11/14/22)
  • District Statement: Threats to the Jewish Members of our Community (11/4/22)
October 2022 Expand
  • October Edition "As a Matter of Fact" Newsletter: Supt Message, Fall Break, Remembering Chief DeVaul, Principal Appreciation Month, Filipino Heritage Month and more...(10/31/22)
  • South Orange Middle School (SOMS) the First School in Essex County to Attain River-Friendly Certification (10/31/22)
  • District Statement:  Chief of Police, Jimmy DeVaul Celebration of Life Service & Traffic Impact: Friday, October 28, 2022 (10/26/22)
  • Columbia High School (CHS) Students Awarded with Academic Honors from College Board National Recognition Programs (10/13/22)
September 2022 Expand
  • September Edition “As a Matter of Fact Newsletter” – Superintendent’s Message, Hispanic Heritage Month, Counseling Program for Elementary Students, Aftercare Updates, Upcoming Events and more (9/30/22)
  • 2022-23 SY Elementary School Social Work Program Offers Counseling Services for Students in Grades K-5 (9/22/22)
  • 22-23 SY Start of School Year SOMSD Transportation Update (9/9/22)
  • Fall 2022 Beyond the Bell Registration to Open Starting on September 13 (9/8/22)
August 2022 Expand
  • The District Releases 2022-23 SY Back to School Covid Guidelines, Free & Reduced Lunch Updates and Dates to Know for Families (8/31/22)
  • Long-Time SOMSD Staff, Ann Bodnar Appointed as New SOMSD Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction (8/30/22)
  • SOMSD Virtual Safety & Security Forum: Monday, August 29 (8/4/22)

For Immediate Release: South Orange & Maplewood School District Partners with the Kean University Scholar Academy to Offer Dual-Enrollment Program to Eleven Students

June 17, 2021 By Communications

Contact:

Anide J. Eustache

Communications Office

South Orange & Maplewood School District

Office:  (973)762-5600, ext. 1834 | Email:  aeustach@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Orange & Maplewood School District Partners with the Kean University Scholar Academy 

Eleven SOMSD middle-school students are a part of the first group of scholars accepted into the Kean Scholar Academy dual-enrollment program to put students on track for college success

June 18, 2021 – The South Orange & Maplewood School District is proud to announce its partnership with Kean University’s Scholar Academy. The newly launched Scholar Academy is a dual-enrollment initiative that will prepare selected high school students for college by bringing them on campus to earn college credits and take part in mentorships, internships, and other college experiences starting in ninth grade.

Kean University’s innovative, new pre-college program, the Kean Scholar Academy offers qualified students the opportunity to earn college credits and participate in pre-college mentorships, internships, and other enrichment activities that support their academic journey toward college. This partnership is the District’s first time offering dual-enrollment college-based programming to students. Eleven middle-school students from SOMSD are taking part in the inaugural class, which Kean University announced in May.

Dr. Matthew Friedman, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction, says “We are so proud of the eleven SOMSD students who will be joining the inaugural Kean Scholar program.” Dr. Friedman continued “the eighth-grade students were invited to apply for the program by principals from Maplewood Middle School and South Middle School; they then had to submit an application and were chosen after a rigorous selection process from members of Kean University administration.”

Students from at least 12 school districts from multiple counties were nominated and chosen by their principals for selection in the program. Criteria for the program are based on grades, school attendance, involvement, and commitment to excel.  The inaugural class of the Kean Scholar Academy will include about 125 students. The first cohort starts in Summer 2021 when they will begin a four-week summer orientation on the University’s Union and Skylands campuses to learn about the college experience and meet members of their cohort.  Students will get a taste of college life and will begin attending classes on campus once per week starting in the Fall, and will also have twice-monthly team-building activities on Saturdays, they will attend a second session through synchronous in-person and virtual learning.

Jason Lester, Special Assistant to Kean University President and Executive Director of Kean Scholar Academy, shared, “by high school graduation, students may earn up to 12-15 college credits in their selected major and 40 – 60 college credits overall, the Academy will provide internships, mentoring, social-emotional learning activities and counseling to ensure that all students follow the path to graduation.”

Students will be enrolled in the Kean Scholar Academy for all four years of high school. In ninth and tenth grade, they will take college courses in English, math, and prerequisite subjects with other Academy students. In their last two years, they will take classes in their major alongside other Kean students. At the same time, they will take high school classes and will also have the opportunity to work with municipal and business community members to research, investigate and provide solutions to issues in their communities.  

“High-quality postsecondary educational partnerships can be very valuable to a school district. However, dual enrollment opportunities resulting in students earning transferable college credits are extremely valuable,” says Dr. Ronald Taylor, Superintendent of Schools.  He continued, “the rising cost of college today has been well documented. Besides the cost savings, the impact of an authentic opportunity for high school students to experience in-person on-campus ‘college life’ is invaluable and can positively impact their life’s trajectory. We are very thankful to bring this opportunity to the students and families of our community.”

Kean University will provide technology, some transportation and other support services to students.   Also, students in the Scholar Academy will have an individualized education plan based on their academic interests. During their tenure, students will receive a student ID for entrance to school buildings as well as be provided a stipend for a meal plan to use when on campus.    

“We are really proud of this partnership with Kean because it ties into the District’s focus on building partnerships with local and regional universities,” says Dr. Friedman.  He went on to share, “the program is so rich, we are preparing students for their future and they are going to be immersed in academic college culture, among the many great opportunities, one of the key highlights is that upon graduating high school and completing the Scholar program, students will have an opportunity to travel to the University’s campus in China, Wenzhou-Kean University.”

The following SOMSD students will be taking part of the inaugural Kean Scholar Academy:

Maplewood Middle School:

  • Sherry Chen
  • Sharon Chen
  • Josephine Brophy
  • Tessa Lipkin
  • Timothy Van de North
  • Marahbelle Dumay
  • Yael Ben-Adi

South Orange Middle School:

  • Sophia Halm
  • Jada Fowlkes
  • Kennedy Gilyard
  • Carter Weiss 

###

About the South Orange & Maplewood School District

The School District of South Orange and Maplewood serves more than 7,200 students in ten schools, including one early-childhood center, six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The community and its schools are racially and economically diverse with more than 90 percent of Columbia High School graduates planning to attend college each year.   The mission of the South Orange Maplewood School District is to empower and inspire each student to explore and imagine, to pursue personal passions, and to collectively create a better future by creating a learner-centered environment through multiple pathways; re-imagined structures, systems and supports; innovative teaching; partnering with families; and maximizing community expertise and resources.

About Kean University

Founded in 1855, Kean University was the first public post-secondary institution in New Jersey. With a rich history of excellence and innovation in higher education, Kean is a world-class, vibrant and diverse university offering more than 50 undergraduate majors and more than 60 options for graduate study, including six doctoral programs in a variety of disciplines.

June 17, 2021 Filed Under: Uncategorized

Family/Community Update: SOMSD K-2 Hybrid Return to School for Monday, March 15

March 12, 2021 By Communications

Click here to download:  K-2 Return to In-Person Instruction Letter 

Klike la a pou Haitian Creole |  Haga clic aquí para Spanish


March 12, 2021

Dear South Orange & Maplewood School District Families,

Late yesterday evening we were alerted by the PERC mediator that SOMEA has agreed to return to in-person learning for Kgn-2nd grade students only on Monday, March 15.

The Board remains ready and committed to the full return of all Phase 3 students, including 6th and 9th grade students. We will move forward with having Kgn-2nd grade and Cohort C students reenter school on Monday, March 15, but will continue to focus on returning ALL of our students. The District’s primary goal has always been to offer our families the opportunity for in-person instruction safely within the rooms that have already been designated by the District as “ready,” meaning they meet safety standards.  We understand the social-emotional toll that this situation has caused for students and families and we look forward to having this next subset of students return to school with more to follow in the coming weeks and months.

With this return, in addition to our Kgn-2nd grade and Cohort C students and teachers...our para-professionals, specialists (art, music, PE etc.), school and central office secretaries, and clerical staff will also be returning to their respective buildings.  Please review other important operational and logistical details below:

 

Schedules:

●      All elementary schools will return to their regular hybrid start times across all grade-levels (K-2, Cohort C as well as 3 - 5)

●      For grades 3 - 5 we understand that the schedule change is not ideal, however, we are unable to run competing schedules (i.e., hybrid vs. virtual) due to shared resources across elementary schools.

●      K-2 and Cohort C families will receive more detailed information from their building principals regarding start times and other logistics for Monday’s return to hybrid instruction.

Food Distribution: ●      Beginning on Monday, March 15, grab and go lunches will be provided to students attending hybrid instruction. Meals will be provided during dismissal.

●      All other students can pick up meals at CHS or Seth Boyden between 12pm and 2pm.

YMCA: ●      The Y will continue to offer aftercare at all elementary schools for grades 3 - 5 students

●      The Pre-K program will remain at Jefferson Elementary school

●      Full-day virtual programming will be held at the Y facility.

Change Request: ●      Phase 3:  Change request  (from virtual to hybrid) for Phase 3 will only be honored to families who have submitted their request to their building principal by the February 22 deadline.

●      March 25, 2021, is the next change request date for our tentative phased-in re-entry scheduled for April 19

○      IMPORTANT:  Please note, regardless of the grade-levels that re-enter on April 19, this will be the final opportunity for the school year for parents to make a virtual to hybrid change request for their child to their building principal.  In addition, a change request will always be subject to space capacity.

 

As we shared, the Board’s labor counsel continues to communicate through the mediator advocating for our 6th and 9th grade students return; and we will continue planning for a next phased re-entry on April 19 (two-weeks after Spring Break and at a time when our building’s heating systems are traditionally taken offline).

We apologize for the late update, however, there are many operational and logistical details that had to be resolved (i.e. transportation, food distribution, crossing guards, schedules) to ensure a smooth re-entry for our students.  We thank our building principals and central office staff for their work to ensure that we provided our families with the details needed for their child's return to school.

Once again, we thank you for your continued support and patience.  Enjoy the beautiful weekend and we look forward to seeing our Kgn-2nd grade and Cohort C students back in school for in-person instruction starting on Monday, March 15.

South Orange & Maplewood School District

 

 

 

March 12, 2021 Filed Under: District News & Announcements

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

South Orange-Maplewood School District

South Orange-Maplewood School District

Address & Contact Info

525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Main Office: (973) 762-5600

District Title IX Information

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District Title IX Coordinator
525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District HIB Coordinator
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Ms. Robin Curry
Confidential Secretary to the Asst. Supt., Access & Equity
e: rcurry@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1822

More HIB Information

Stay Connected

SOMSD on Facebook

SOMSD on Twitter

SOMSD’s YouTube Channel

Site Credits

Site Credits

Website Accessibility

The South Orange & Maplewood School District is committed to making our content accessible to all members of the public, including those with disabilities. This includes parents, students, employees, and all others associated with our district. If you need assistance in accessing materials on the district website or you would like to provide feedback or file a complaint about the website, please email the webmaster.

Our Mission

The mission of the South Orange Maplewood School District is to empower and inspire each student to explore and imagine, to pursue personal passions, and to collectively create a better future by creating a learner-centered environment through multiple pathways; re-imagined structures, systems and supports; innovative teaching; partnering with families; and maximizing community expertise and resources.

525 Academy Street, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040 • Ph:(973) 762-5600 • Copyright © 2019, South Orange - Maplewood Public Schools. All rights reserved

Designed, built and powered by SchoolPresser - WordPress for Schools