PLEASE NOTE THE SOUTH ORANGE & MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 AND MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY.
PLEASE NOTE THE SOUTH ORANGE & MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 AND MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY.
Important Community Resources:
Dear SOMSD Families,
As we head into the 2020-21 school year, I want to welcome you back. Although the return to school is not as we anticipated, school administrators, teachers, and staff are putting in hard work and long hours to ensure that the first day of school is special for students.
As you can imagine, we are welcoming back 7,000+ students into a virtual school environment. So we anticipate that there will be technology glitches, device issues, internet connectivity issues, and an overall learning curve as students and teachers alike begin working together in our virtual environment. Therefore, to prepare and make accommodations, for the first two weeks of school, September 8 – 18, we will operate on an early dismissal schedule. This will allow time for teachers and students to acclimate to the new learning management system Canvas and provide additional time in the afternoon for continued professional development training for teachers. Starting on Monday, September 21, we will transition to a full-day virtual instruction schedule.
This instructional guidebook provides information on:
Please note that our guidebook is subject to change. As guidelines and orders change from local, state, and federal authorities, our District will adjust. But rest assured, our focus will always remain on doing what’s best for students and staff.
I look forward to seeing each of you, albeit virtually as we begin the school year and hope to be reunited with students and staff soon. The best of luck to our students, staff, and families as we begin the journey together in 2020-21.
Educationally Yours,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools
The District sent a “Return to School Preference” form to all families on August 10, 2020. Families who requested a District-issued hotspot or District-issued Chromebook for use during the back-to-school transition or entire 2020 – 2021 will be contacted and given a specific date and time for pickup. Technology distribution will begin during the week of August 31st and will continue throughout Marking Period 1. Specific dates and times for pickup will be communicated with families directly.
Students who were issued a District device last school year will keep that same device for the 2020-21 school year. If you have not completed the “Return to School Preference” form or your need for a device has changed, please email info@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us.