Student donates 60 bags of books

Student donates 60 bags of books

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Elisha Wasden, a South Orange Middle School eighth-grader, donated 60 bags of books for the participants of the Rising Stars reading program that took place this summer. He raised more than $1,000, with the help of friend Maggie Hanley and her mother, Jenna. His mom and dad pitched in as well […]

Maplewood’s neighborhood Wi-Fi installation is in progress

Maplewood’s neighborhood Wi-Fi installation is in progress

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Eager to bridge the digital divide in town, especially at a time when closed schools created digital classrooms at home, Maplewood Township officials report that the town’s highly anticipated Wi-Fi Pilot program is finally being rolled out. The Wi-Fi Pilot, a community driven initiative that came out on top in the town’s […]

District holds public meeting to share integration plans for grammar schools

District holds public meeting to share integration plans for grammar schools

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — South Orange–Maplewood School District Superintendent Ronald Taylor and Business Administrator Paul Roth gave an update about the district’s planned elementary school integration at a Feb. 19 meeting at Jefferson Elementary School. According to Taylor’s presentation, the administration will recommend a plan to the Board of Education by June and will be ready […]

Seth Boyden reporters interview superintendent

Seth Boyden reporters interview superintendent

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Seth Boyden’s third-grade class, led by teacher Carol West, had the opportunity to interview Superintendent Ronald Taylor as a part of their Black History Month studies. Their focus is on interviewing citizens who are making a difference in their communities. Students interviewed Taylor as “staff reporters.” Each child had a question and […]

SOMSD fifth graders hear from civil rights pioneer

SOMSD fifth graders hear from civil rights pioneer

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — District fifth graders had the opportunity to hear from civil rights pioneer Lynda Blackmon Lowery at a Jan. 16 assembly at South Orange Middle School. This was part of the district’s “One Book One Grade” program, under which every fifth grader in the school district read Lowery’s book “Turning 15 on […]

‘The ABCs of Kindergarten’ welcome event

‘The ABCs of Kindergarten’ welcome event

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District will hold an information session on “The ABCs of Kindergarten” on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Seth Boyden School, 274 Boyden Ave. in Maplewood.  This event will provide a brief overview of the kindergarten program by a panel of representatives from each of […]

Two men arrested for morning robbery, assault on Boyden Ave.

Two men arrested for morning robbery, assault on Boyden Ave.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Dequan Lewis, 24, of Vauxhall, and Isaiah Gavin, 18, of Elizabeth, were apprehended by police on Jan. 10 after Maplewood patrol officers responded to 200 Boyden Ave., Avalon Bay Apartments, on the report of a disturbance of a possible robbery or shooting.  According to police, Lewis and Gavin used a crowbar to […]

Maplewood PBA collects school supplies for Seth Boyden students

Maplewood PBA collects school supplies for Seth Boyden students

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood PBA Local 44 is holding back-to-school supply drive to benefit Seth Boyden Elementary School students. From now through Sept. 1, residents are encouraged to drop off school supplies at Seth Boyden, the Maplewood Police Department, Maplewood Town Hall, Gleasons Cleaners, and Dehart Community Center. Supplies needed include crayons, markers, pencils, colored […]

Grammar school students ‘Speak Out’ at library event

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On Saturday, Feb. 9, Maplewood Memorial Library hosted the fourth annual “Kids Speak Out,” an event held during Black History Month that showcases the work of South Orange-Maplewood School District elementary school students. This event encourages students to express themselves through spoken word, poetry and art to celebrate Black History Month. Poetry […]