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 […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Columbia High School alumni and students gathered in the school’s library for the annual Columbia High School Scholarship Fund reception June 7, to meet the donors who provided the funds for their scholarships and share their continuing education plans. The 95-year-old nonprofit organization has given away more than $1.3 million in scholarships […]
MILLBURN, NJ — On Monday, June 4, the 23rd annual Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards were presented for outstanding achievement by students and educators in the areas of performance, design, direction, choreography, technical production and overall production excellence. The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards were created in 1996 to encourage and reward exceptional […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At the June 4 Board of Education meeting, the South Orange-Maplewood School District honored the school system personnel who are retiring at the end of the school year, after dedicating themselves to making the SOMSD a better place for all students. BOE President Elizabeth Baker welcomed the retirees, their families and community […]