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SOMSD School Reopening Updates

Click here for new updates regarding the District's January 2021 return to in-person instruction.

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South Orange-Maplewood School District
Seth Boyden Elementary School

District News & Announcements

Message to SOMSD Community from Superintendent Taylor: Phase 3 Return to School Clarifications & Schedule Information

School Reopening: Bell Schedule Times By Schools

Return to School Updates for Families: Wednesday, 1/13, District-Wide Asynchronous Day

Download:  Parent/Guardian Return to School Updates:  Wed., 1/13 District-Wide Asynchronous Day

January 11, 2021

Hello SOMSD Families,

Next week students will begin returning to our schools and classrooms for in-person instruction.  Starting today and tomorrow, teachers have the option of voluntarily returning to their classrooms to teach and begin classroom preparation.  On Wednesday, January 13, teachers will be back in their school buildings to teach virtually from their classrooms and to prepare for students returning for hybrid instruction.

In preparation for the implementation of our hybrid model, this week’s instructional schedule will have some changes.  See below:

  • Wednesday, 1/13 – District-wide Asynchronous Day: No live virtual instruction will take place, self-guided student instruction will be provided via Canvas and may include pre-recorded video lessons, independent game-based learning tasks, or pre-assigned work/assessments.  
  • Thursday & Friday, 1/14 – 1/15:  No afternoon conferences will be held, your child’s teacher will provide more information on your child’s schedule for this time.  

These modifications will allow time for teachers to reacclimate to their classrooms, learn new procedures and protocols for entering their buildings, test their technology and to begin classroom set-up for returning students.   The school-level schedules below provide additional details on the re-entry schedule.

More than 98% of  SOMSD  families submitted their preference for return to school instruction.  At the elementary school level (PreK – 8) the breakdown is:  64% hybrid / 36% virtual; at CHS the breakdown is 61% hybrid / 39% virtual.  In the hybrid model, most class sizes will average 6 – 10 students per class (possibly lower for classes that have smaller class sizes).  

Students will wear face masks while in school with appropriate breaks depending on the age as outlined in our reopening plan (gaiters, bandanas, and masks with valves are not permitted). Please review the District’s Return to School FAQs for reminders on face masks and other important questions: [https://bit.ly/SOMSDFAQS]

As shared in previous communications, Phase 3 re-entry will begin with hybrid students in grades PreK – 2, 6th and 9th returning in small groups starting on January 19; the following week, our remaining elementary and HS students will begin their return to in-person instruction.  See below for a detailed re-entry schedule for elementary, middle, and high school students for the weeks of January 11 – 25.

  • Cohort A:  *Students by last name A-L, 2 days in person (Mon/Tues)
  • Cohort B: *Students by last name M – Z, 2 days in person (Wed/Thurs)
  • Cohort C:  ELL/Special Services Students, 4 days a week (Mon. – Thurs.)

District Newsletter: As a Matter of Fact, 1/8/21 – Facilities Updates, Key Deadlines for Students Returning to Hybrid Instruction and Change Request

12/23 As a Matter of Fact District Newsletter: Happy Holidays, Live Q&A WebEx FAQs, Thank You From the Parenting Center, Reopening Resources & MAPSOCOVID-19 Vaccine Guide

SOMSD Pre-Recorded Return to School Town Hall WebEx Ready to View

Superintendent, Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, District administrators, and other key experts share updates regarding facilities, hybrid and virtual scheduling details for January 2021, health & safety, technology, special services and provide an overview to help parents make an informed decision for their child(ren’s) January 2021 return to school.

Click here to:

  • Download the Return to School Town Hall presentation (or) View the Return to School Town Hall presentation PPT slideshow
  • View directly from the SOMSD YouTube Channel:  https://youtu.be/iP8Hs4wAEkw

You can follow the video in full or watch key areas of interest by following the timestamps found below the video:

 

Video Timestamps:

  • 0:00    Introduction & Overview (Dr. Ronald G. Taylor)
  • 1:13    Reminder:  What Returning to School Will Look Like (from 8/8 Restart & Recovery Plan)
  • 17:30   School Closure Guidelines
  • 19:11   Key Considerations
  • 27:30   HVAC & Facilities Update (Paul)
  • 33:55   Health & Safety Update  (Julie Porter)
  • 45:44   Special Services Update (Dr. Melody Alegria)
  • 53:40   Technology Update (Keith Bonds)
  • 1:08:42 Staffing Update (Stacey Robinson)
  • 1:10:43 Scheduling Updates (Dr. Matt Friedman, Leroy Johnson, Ann Bodnar and Frank Sanchez)
  • 1:11:36 Instructional Models: Hybrid vs. Virtual
  • 1:19:07 Preschool Program
  • 1:22:34 Elementary Schools
  • 1:25:14 Middle Schools
  • 1:25:50 CHS
  • 1:35:20 Closing (FAQs, Upcoming Deadlines) – Dr. Ronald Taylor

Additional Information:

  • Return to School Preference Form for Parents/Guardians (submit by Mon., Jan. 4):  https://bit.ly/3acxlUe
  • Post Town Hall Live Q&A Event:  https://bit.ly/2K4UNbt
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Seth Boyden Elementary School

South Orange-Maplewood School District

Contact Info

274 Boyden Avenue
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Main Office:
(973) 378-5209

Fax:
(973) 378-5244

School Admins

School Hours

Monday
8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Tuesday
8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Wednesday
8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Thursday
8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Friday
8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Anti-Bullying Specialists

Zakiyya Jordan
e: zjordan@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 378 - 5209 ext 6611
f: (973) 378 - 5244

Ms. Joanne Butler
e: jbutler@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762-5600 ext 1849

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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.

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