CHS community has an ‘Uncomfortable Conversation’

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Video re-enactments of realistic social scenarios and a discussion panel including Columbia High School students, administrators and faculty opened a dialogue about how to navigate difficult topics like sexual assault and sexual violence during an interactive event presented by The Uncomfortable Conversation Inc. and hosted at the school on Oct. 11. The […]

Local actor takes educational role in opioid discussion

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Two local actors, Emma Wagner of Maplewood and Joseph Piserchio of West Orange, will tour New Jersey as part of George Street Playhouse’s Educational Touring Theatre’s new production “Anytown,” a new musical about the opioid crisis and its impact on teens and families. The show premiered Sept. 25 at the George […]

Community celebrates diversity through church event

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Highlighting the many cultures that make up their community and championing a kinder and more welcoming society, the United Presbyterian Church of West Orange hosted “Voices of Diversity, Uniting for Change” on Saturday, Sept. 22. The event featured musical performances, a slide show presentation detailing specific eras of American history such […]

Maplewood Strollers gear up for new season with fundraisers

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Returning for its 87th season, Maplewood Strollers are back with a full season of shows and two new fundraisers to kick off the festivities. Founded in 1932, the community theater troupe’s name refers to the minstrels of medieval England, traveling entertainers. The Maplewood Strollers group was formed by two Columbia High School […]

SOMS teacher takes a bow as work is nominated for Emmy

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Six diverse high school productions of the Disney musical “Mary Poppins” were the subject of “I Can’t, I Have Rehearsal,” the Emmy-nominated documentary film produced by South Orange Middle School teacher Frank Guastella. “I Can’t, I Have Rehearsal,” takes an in-depth look at how six different high schools across the state […]

District discusses big changes coming to special ed. dept.

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District’s Department of Special Services held a community forum on Monday, July 30, at Columbia High School to address growing concerns about the new direction the department is taking. In addition to a new interim director, Laura Morana, the leadership of the Special Services team […]

Residents angry over Aaron’s reassignment

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Frustration and anger abounded as concerned community members demanded answers on the reassignment of key administrative positions within the school district, specifically Columbia High School Principal Elizabeth Aaron, at the July 16 Board of Education meeting. In a June 30 letter, interim Superintendent of Schools Thomas Ficarra announced that the South Orange-Maplewood […]

Shakespeare, sharks and showing the ocean who’s boss

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Though sharks and Shakespeare don’t often get paired together, Maplewood actress Sarah Eismann’s impressive feat of swimming around the island of Bermuda to raise awareness about nonprofit Shakespeare Behind Bars may have made that combination a little more popular. Shakespeare Behind Bars offers theatrical encounters with personal and social issues to incarcerated […]