SOMS deals with inappropriate classroom comments on race

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District’s ongoing struggles with racial parity and inclusiveness earned another notch on Thursday, Feb. 15, when South Orange Middle School Principal Lynn Irby sent an email to the school community alerting it that “racially charged” and “inappropriate” comments had been made by a student during a classroom […]

Maplewood police increase CHS presence

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Columbia High School community was already on edge by the time news broke of the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., in which 17 were murdered and more than a dozen more were injured Feb. 14. Earlier that morning, Maplewood police were called to CHS in response to a threatening message spray-painted […]

SHU invites public to teachers’ study day

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Jewish-Christian Studies Graduate Program at Seton Hall University invites educators and other interested individuals to the professional development study day, “Jews and Resistance in France during World War II.” The study day, which will offer five professional development credit hours to New Jersey educators, will be held Monday, March 5, […]

State Council on the Arts honors Maplewoodian’s 1st play

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The New Jersey State Council on the Arts recognized 18 New Jersey artists with Individual Artists Fellowships, among them local playwright Rachel Diken. The Maplewood resident won a $10,000 grant for her one-act play “Possible,” which will allow her to spend more time writing for theater and to grow as an artist. […]

Worrall Media pair wins NJPA awards

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Yael Katzwer, the managing editor of the News-Record of Maplewood and South Orange, as well as the West Orange Chronicle, and Rebecca Panico, a Union County LocalSource staff writer, have been honored by the New Jersey Press Association in its 2017 Newspaper Contest. Both publications are owned by Worrall Community Newspapers. […]

Bus driver dies following crash in Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced Feb. 20 that authorities are investigating a motor vehicle crash involving an NJ Transit bus and a garbage truck in Maplewood. The incident occurred at approximately 12:35 p.m. in the area of 1450 Springfield Ave. The bus driver was the sole occupant of the […]

Maplewood teen helps collect cereal for the hungry

WATCHUNG, NJ — Members of the Helping Other People Everywhere Club at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung recognized the importance of aiding local families in need by collecting more than 250 boxes of cereal, which will be distributed by volunteers at the Star Fish Food Pantry in Plainfield. The drive was held during January […]

Words owners to receive Spirit Award for autism advocacy

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Autism Science Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding innovative autism research, recently announced that Marjorie Madfis, founder of Yes She Can Inc., and Jonah and Ellen Zimiles, founders of Words Bookstore in Maplewood, will receive this year’s Caryn Schwartzman Spirit Award. Both organizations were founded in order to […]