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South Orange-Maplewood School District
Seth Boyden Elementary School

District News & Announcements

Juneteenth, District Closed, Friday 6/17 & Other Important End-of-Year Dates/Deadline Reminders

As a reminder the District will be closed on Friday, June 17 in observance of the federal holiday, Juneteenth. We encourage you to view Juneteenth events taking place locally at: http://www.maplewoodartsandculture.org/juneteenth2022

In addition, please view the important District end-of-year dates and deadlines below:

  • High School Graduation & Moving Up Celebrations/Activities Dates: [bit.ly/3mQ10aL]
  • Wednesday, June 22:  2022-23 SY Transportation Request Submission Deadline [bit.ly/SOMSDTransport]
  • Wednesday, June 22:  Final onsite MediStation (formerly MediMobile) Covid-19 testing day for the school year [bit.ly/C19Test_Vaccine]
  • June 22 – 24: PreK – 12 Early Dismissal School Schedule [bit.ly/somaschhr]
  • Friday, June 24: Last Day of School
  • Monday, June 26: Board of Education Monthly Public Meeting @ 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, July 5: SOMSD Summer School Programs Begin (for selected programs – bit.ly/2022SOMSDSummer)
  • Friday, July 15: 2022-23 SY CHS Co-Curricular & Marching Band Sign-up Deadline for Incoming 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students [bit.ly/3NiEymo]
  • 2022-23 Academic SY Calendar [bit.ly/SOMSDSY-Calendar]

Enjoy the long weekend!

South Orange & Maplewood School District

2022-23 SY Transportation Request Form Available (Submission Deadline: June 22)

SOMSD & SOMA Shares Massive Outdoor Book Giveaway & Swap Event for PreK – 12 Students Taking Place Saturday, June 11 @ Two Locations

The South Orange & Maplewood School District, ELA Department & SOMA Shares are proud to continue their partnership to present a massive book giveaway and swap event to the entire SOMSD school community. All PreK – 12 students/families are invited to join us for this one-day event at two locations where thousands of new and gently used children/teen books will be available to take home for your own home libraries! You can also feel free to drop off your new and gently-used children’s books to share with others!

Locations:

  1. South Orange Middle School (SOMS) |  Time: 9 am – 1 pm  | Location: 70 N. Ridgewood Road, South Orange (school parking lot)
  2. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church  |  Time: 10 am – 2 pm  |  Location: 767 Prospect St, Maplewood (church parking lot)

 

 

 

June 2022 Moving Up Celebrations and Graduation Ceremony

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Below are dates for CHS graduation as well as moving up ceremony information for middle school 8th graders and elementary school 5th graders (any Kindergarten activities will be communicated to families directly from their child’s teacher and/or school) and PreK moving up ceremonies.  All additional graduation and/or moving-up ceremony details and end-of-the-year activities have been or will be communicated with families directly from your school building administrators and/or classroom teachers.

Columbia High School

  • Friday, June 24 @ 6pm | J. Cody Arena, West Orange, NJ (Ticketed admission only)

Middle Schools (8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony):

  • Maplewood Middle School (MMS) | Friday, June 24 @ 9am MMS Gymnasium
  • South Orange Middle School (SOMS) | Friday, June 24 @ 9am SOMS Gymnasium

Elementary Schools (5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony/Activity):

  • Clinton Elementary School | Thursday, June 23 @ 11:30am
  • Jefferson Elementary School |Thursday, June 23
  • Marshall Elementary School | Thursday, June 23 (Clap out for 2nd graders)
  • Seth Boyden Elementary School | Thursday, June 16 @ 10am
  • South Mountain Elementary School | Thursday, June 23 @ 9am
  • Tuscan Elementary School | Thursday, June 24

Preschool Sites:

  • Applecore Learning Center | Thursday, June 23 @ 10am
  • *Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education | Wednesday, June 22 @ 10:30am & Thursday, June 23 @ 10:30am
  • *Kindergan | Thursday, June 16 | 10:20am & 1:20pm
  • La Petit Academy | Wednesday, June 22 @ 1pm
  • Montrose Early Childhood Center | Thursday, June 16 @ 10am
  • Zadie’s of the Oranges | Thursday, June 16 @ 10am

SOMSD Community COVID-19 Updates (May 13, 2022)

Hello SOMSD Community,

We continue to prioritize keeping our students in school as much as possible for a full day of in-person learning.  Based on the most recent COVID-19 Activity Level Index (CALI) Report released by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Essex County as well as the majority of NJ, is now considered in high community transmission (orange). 

According to the NJDOH for schools that choose not to institute a universal masking policy, it is recommended that schools should strongly consider universal masking during CALI score of high (orange) – for all students and staff, especially if there is difficulty incorporating other layered prevention strategies (e.g., adequate spacing of students).  Furthermore,  the NJDOH also clarifies that – during an outbreak or a general increase in cases, schools should consult with their local health departments as to whether short-term universal masking or masking in affected classrooms should be required to control the outbreak/increase in cases.

Currently, due to several classroom outbreaks, two of our school communities, Clinton Elementary and South Mountain Elementary (big school) have been required to shift to a mandatory short-term “universal masking” indoors/buses for all staff and students. 

While the NJDOH and the local health departments strongly recommend “universal masking”  during high COVID community transmission, as a District, we are not instituting a District-wide return to mandatory “universal masking.”   This is due to the fact that the outbreaks identified by our local departments of health were contained to the respective schools and/ or classrooms and the appropriate actions have been taken.  

However, with the rise in outbreaks in our District over the past two weeks and the new information from the state, we are strongly recommending that all students/staff consider masking while indoors and on the bus.   Based on the information we’ve provided, we are leaving it at the discretion of parents/staff to determine the best decision for themselves and their families and will respect the choices made by our students and staff.

Presently, mandatory indoor masking will be required for the following cases:

  1. During large indoor gatherings including, but not limited to, large assemblies, plays, art shows, concerts, upcoming moving up ceremonies;
  2. For individuals who are returning to school after COVID-positive isolation on days 6-10 (mandatory)
  3. As recommended or required by the DOH (i.e., significant increased transmission, outbreak)

The current mitigation strategies will continue to be followed:

  • The district will maintain our cleaning and sanitization protocols in all classrooms and buildings. 
  • We will follow the recommendations from the Department of Health for ventilation and airflow in the classroom, optimize distancing (when possible), and as the weather warms up will begin the use of outdoor space if possible.

We encourage you to visit the District’s Covid-19 dashboard [https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/coviddata/] for a snapshot of weekly reported Covid cases  (as a reminder the dashboard only accounts for lab confirmed tests).  Moving forward we will also include two new fields to the Dashboard to inform the greater community of major outbreaks or school closures across the District:  

  • Temporary Return to Schoolwide “Universal Masking” – Will provide a brief summary of school buildings who have been required to shift to short-term “universal masking”  indoors/buses.
  • Temporary School Closures:  Will share update on any school that is required to close for a period of time  (and shift entirely to virtual instruction) due to rising Covid cases.

In addition, later next week we will update our current 2021-22 School Year & Covid webpage to reflect the District’s most current Covid guidelines and protocols, as well as include FAQs for common questions that we have received from our parent community.     

As always, the health and safety of everyone in our school buildings is our top priority. As such, we are closely following the recommendations of our state and local health officials.  As these recommendations change, we will adjust our health and safety protocols accordingly. It remains possible that we may need to re-implement our mask policy if the numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in our schools or community increase.

We thank you for your support and understanding. 

We understand the level of concern regarding COVID-19; and we encourage parents and students to  continue following the CDC and NJDOH promoted safeguards, such as

  • Getting vaccinated and boosted as eligible;
  • Staying home when you are sick;
  • Considering wearing a mask while in school and in public settings;
  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer;
  • Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;
  • Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks and utensils;
  • Practicing social distancing to the greatest extent practicable; and
  • Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms. Get a laboratory PCR or Rapid test if you have symptoms, and see Testing information at:  https://bit.ly/C19Test_Vaccine

South Orange & Maplewood School District

SOMSD Earns 2022 Best Community for Music Education Designation for Another Year from the National Association of Music Merchants – NAMM (5/4/22)

The South Orange and Maplewood School District is pleased to announce that the SOMSD music department has once again earned a Best Music Community Designation from the National Association of Music Merchants.

SOMSD is among 738 school districts that are among the Best Communities in the nation for music education.  The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education.  Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.

Founded in 2006, the NAMM Foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.  The NAMM Foundation represents the generosity and philanthropy of the music products industry.  A supporting organization of NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, the NAMM Foundation is funded through trade association activities and donations.

Congratulations to our entire District music department staff, students and parent community for helping us to achieve this prestigious recognition.

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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

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

Anti-Bullying Specialists

Christian Blackwell
e: cblackwe@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 378-5209 ext 9604
f: (973) 378-5244

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District Title IX Coordinator

e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

More HIB Information

Stay Connected

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SOMSD’s YouTube Channel

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

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