Murphy’s proposed budget puts aside more money for schools

TRENTON, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy’s first proposed budget increases state “formula” aid that goes directly to school districts by $283.6 million, the initial step toward fulfilling the state’s school-funding obligation, according to a March 15 press release from the NJ Department of Education. The budget also increases aid for expanded preschool, STEM programs and […]

Effect of school closings in the SOMSD

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The school district set aside three days for emergency closings in 2017-2018; however, the district has already used four days as a result of inclement weather, and Maplewood Middle School used a fifth day on March 9 due to lack of power. The calendar approved by the Board of […]

SOMS deals with inappropriate classroom comments on race

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District’s ongoing struggles with racial parity and inclusiveness earned another notch on Thursday, Feb. 15, when South Orange Middle School Principal Lynn Irby sent an email to the school community alerting it that “racially charged” and “inappropriate” comments had been made by a student during a classroom […]

Maplewood police increase CHS presence

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Columbia High School community was already on edge by the time news broke of the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., in which 17 were murdered and more than a dozen more were injured Feb. 14. Earlier that morning, Maplewood police were called to CHS in response to a threatening message spray-painted […]

Burns Night is huge success

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood Club was transported to Scotland on Saturday, Feb. 3, to celebrate Burns Night, an international event that honors Scottish poet Robert Burns. The event was held by the MacWhannell family to celebrate Scottish culture and to support the Achieve Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for the South Orange-Maplewood […]

Redwood Elementary School to welcome new principal

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Educator and administrator Timothy Beaumont has been appointed as the new principal of Redwood Elementary School. He will take over the reins from interim Principal Heather Carr on March 26. Beaumont was selected during a search process that included administrators, teachers and parents. “Outside of West Orange, the West Orange Schools […]

Principal shakeup in the SOMSD

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — In just a few weeks, two South Orange-Maplewood School District principals have been removed from their original posts. Marshall School Principal Bonita Samuels was placed on paid leave a few weeks ago following public outcry concerning allegations that she texted a photo of a teaching assistant, a little person, […]

Tour the Montrose Early Childhood Center

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Montrose Early Childhood Center will hold an open house for prospective parents looking for a pre-school for their child for the 2018-2019 school year. Prospective parents who live in Maplewood or South Orange can explore the pre-school on Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 7 to 8 p.m. at 356 Clark St. in […]

A Q&A on the ABCs of kindergarten

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Parenting Center & the Elementary PTAs will hold a question-and-answer session about kindergarten in the South Orange and Maplewood community on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Seth Boyden Elementary School, 274 Boyden Ave. in Maplewood. A special “parent to parent” meeting to introduce families to Seth Boyden […]

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