SOMSD superintendent: Data shows suspension moratorium is a good start

SOMSD superintendent: Data shows suspension moratorium is a good start

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Seven months after the South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education passed a resolution that placed a moratorium on most suspensions and school removals, Superintendent Ronald Taylor said in an update at the board’s May 16 meeting that the pause reduced the risk of suspensions across races, even though there are […]

Officials, leaders in Essex County call for stricter gun laws following massacre

Officials, leaders in Essex County call for stricter gun laws following massacre

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The nation was again plunged into despair on May 24 when a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, injuring many others. This was the third-deadliest school shooting in a U.S. school, after the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 and the Sandy Hook Elementary […]

Fate of the CHS pool remains a topic of debate

Fate of the CHS pool remains a topic of debate

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education discussed the Columbia High School pool at its May 16 meeting, revisiting a conversation about the possibility of retaining the high school’s pool as part of the district’s ongoing long-range facilities plan. A group of residents advocated for the CHS pool with a presentation at a […]

SOPAC receives grant from for arts education programs

SOPAC receives grant from for arts education programs

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Performing Arts Center recently received a $5,000 grant from the Investors Foundation. The grant will help further SOPAC’s arts education programs, which invest in students and future artists by providing arts instruction in alignment with NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards for the Performing Arts, enhancing the arts curriculum […]

All are invited to participate in Achieve’s ‘Nights of 100 Dinners’ programs

All are invited to participate in Achieve’s ‘Nights of 100 Dinners’ programs

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — As part of its annual “Nights of 100 Dinners” fundraiser, this year Achieve proudly presents two fun and inspiring virtual cooking events hosted by chefs who are part of the South Orange–Maplewood School District community. Registration is open and all are welcome. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.achievefoundation.org.  Join Achieve […]

Area school districts named Best Communities for Music Education

Area school districts named Best Communities for Music Education

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — As schools across the nation regain their cadence with the return to in-person learning and the reduction in mandates, the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation celebrates its 2022 list of Best Communities for Music Education. Now in its 23rd year, the 2022 program has recognized 738 school districts across 44 […]

Infighting continues as South Orange–Maplewood BOE members file ethics complaints against one another

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Two separate ethics complaints have been filed against current and former members of the South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education, with a court hearing scheduled for July 11 and a second hearing on July 13 if necessary. Current board members Elissa Malespina and Johanna Wright filed ethics charges against board […]

US News ranks CHS as No. 59 among NJ public high schools

US News ranks CHS as No. 59 among NJ public high schools

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood School District announced that Columbia High School was ranked No. 59 as one the best public high schools in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report.  This publication shared on April 26 that 406 New Jersey schools out of a total of 445 were ranked on six factors […]

South Orange–Maplewood BOE student reps ask for more mental health support in schools

South Orange–Maplewood BOE student reps ask for more mental health support in schools

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education student representative Noah Morros asked the BOE for another social worker to be hired at Columbia High School, citing the number of students who are struggling with mental health issues, especially in the wake of the death of sophomore Cole Longworth at the end […]