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 […]
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 — A Jefferson Elementary School paraprofessional, who worked at the school from February to September 2017, is currently facing criminal charges in Essex and Morris counties for alleged lewd acts. Kenneth Palmer, 21, of Randolph, is accused of masturbating in front of children and videotaping it, as well as taking inappropriate photos of […]
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 […]
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 […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education unanimously agreed at a May 29 special meeting to begin anew the process to select a search firm for a new superintendent of schools. South Orange-Maplewood School District Business Administrator and BOE Secretary Paul Roth has thus issued a revised Request For Proposals for a superintendent […]
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 […]
MONTCLAIR, NJ — On May 24, music ensembles from Seth Boyden Demonstration School in Maplewood traveled to Montclair State University’s John J. Cali School of Music to perform for parents and other school community members. This performance was a demonstration of students’ cumulative growth as participants in the MSU Music Grant Residency Partnership with South […]