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 […]
MONTCLAIR, NJ — More than 100 young performers will be taking the stage at Montclair State University’s Memorial Auditorium on July 27 and 28 as the Paper Mill Playhouse puts on its annual “New Voices” concert, the culmination of the theater’s Summer Musical Theater Conservatory. The show has a new theme each year, and this […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Daniel Goldsmith, of South Orange, was honored at an Eagle Scout “Court of Honor” ceremony on Sunday, June 24, at which he attained the prestigious rank. For his Eagle Project, Goldsmith, a member of Troop 60, coordinated all of the volunteer collection efforts on Friday to Sunday nights between Nov. 17 […]
MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On June 30, acting Superintendent of Schools Thomas Ficarra sent a letter to staff telling them that there would be a few changes in the South Orange-Maplewood School District administration for the coming school year. “We believe these changes will strengthen our efforts to improve SOMSD’s operations, foster student-centered […]
NEWARK, NJ — The gymnasium at Essex County College in Newark was filled with anticipatory energy and bursting pride on Thursday, June 21, as the 508 members of the Columbia High School Class of 2018 were conferred their diplomas. The graduating seniors were joined by family and friends, who watched as they walked across the […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — With his new album, “Evolution,” Maplewood native Dan Bruder’s return to the music studio reflects on his storied upbringing in the two towns while looking forward to where both music and the United States are headed. Bruder is no stranger to the music scene; beginning in the 1980s, he was a member […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — For author Alicia Mountain, reading excerpts from her first collection of poetry, “High Ground Coward,” which won the prestigious Iowa Poetry Prize, in the basement of Words Bookstore in Maplewood on June 15 was not just another stop on her book tour — it was a homecoming. Like at […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At a June 13 town hall meeting to discuss the long-range facilities and integration plan, Acting Superintendent of Schools Thomas Ficarra confirmed that his administration is currently looking into the credit-recovery program at Columbia High School. According to a May 23 letter sent by the CHS administration to the school community, credit […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Achieve Foundation hosted a nostalgic celebration highlighting 20 years of resounding success with the Achieve Volunteer Tutor Program and also the retirement of founding Executive Director Deborah Prinz at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club in South Orange on June 5. The event, “Wine Tasting and Conversation,” featuring Hank Zona of The […]
OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — On May 30, Columbia High School students participated in the NJ State Teen Arts Festival at Ocean County College. It was the second consecutive year CHS participated and the second year that South Orange-Maplewood School District was the only district from Essex County present at the state arts festival. CHS was […]