SOMA Board of Education candidates debate on Oct. 10

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood School District Presidents Council and League of Women Voters will jointly present a 2022 Board of Education candidates debate at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, in the district meeting room at 525 Academy St. in Maplewood.  The debate will include the five candidates who are currently vying for […]

Longtime SOMSD staff member Ann Bodnar appointed as new assistant superintendent

Longtime SOMSD staff member Ann Bodnar appointed as new assistant superintendent

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Superintendent of Schools Ronald G. Taylor announced the appointment of Ann Bodnar, a more than 20-year South Orange–Maplewood School District employee and district alumna, to the position of assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction effective immediately, according to an Aug. 30 press release. The SOMA Board of Education approved […]

SOMSD holds virtual safety and security forum

SOMSD holds virtual safety and security forum

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Monday evening, Aug. 29, the South Orange–Maplewood School District held a virtual safety and security forum. Though there were some technical issues with the video, the event provided a lot of reassuring information regarding the safety of district students and staff. The event’s panelists were Superintendent of Schools […]

Petition asks SOMA school district to restore courtesy busing

Petition asks SOMA school district to restore courtesy busing

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — As the South Orange–Maplewood School District moves into the second year of implementing its Intentional Integration Initiative, parents and guardians are pushing back on the elimination of courtesy busing for the upcoming school year, which begins on Sept. 8. The Board of Education voted in April to eliminate the […]

South Orange–Maplewood schools to hold forum on safety, security

South Orange–Maplewood schools to hold forum on safety, security

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood School District will host a virtual town hall forum on school safety and security on Monday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. During this forum, representatives from the school district will share general information regarding safety and security practices within the district with a more […]

Achieve’s Newstead 5K scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17

Achieve’s Newstead 5K scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Achieve’s annual Newstead 5K will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, beginning at 9 a.m. in South Orange’s historic Newstead neighborhood. Now in its 20th year, the Newstead 5K race has kicked off the new school year in South Orange and Maplewood, attracting hundreds of enthusiastic runners and walkers of all ages […]

South Orange Performing Arts Center’s spring appeal raises $65,000

South Orange Performing Arts Center’s spring appeal raises $65,000

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Performing Arts Center’s spring appeal for fiscal year 2022 raised $65,000. That sum includes $40,000 in donations and a $25,000 match from Edrington, a company based in Glasgow, Scotland, that makes and sells whisky and other spirits. “We are eternally grateful to Edrington for their ongoing generosity and […]

Jefferson Elementary School renamed to Delia Bolden Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School renamed to Delia Bolden Elementary School

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education, as per Resolution 4320, approved the renaming of Jefferson Elementary School to the Delia Bolden Elementary School during its meeting on Wednesday, June 29. Delia Bolden was the first African American woman to graduate from Columbia High School, which she did in 1912. Upon her graduation, […]

Achieve thanks volunteer tutors at awards ceremony

Achieve thanks volunteer tutors at awards ceremony

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Tuesday, June 7, the Achieve Foundation gathered to celebrate its volunteers at the Achieve Volunteer Tutor Appreciation Reception. The Achieve Foundation of South Orange & Maplewood is a nonprofit organization that promotes high-quality education that prepares local students for the future. For more information, visit achievefoundation.org. “It was […]