As a Matter of Fact!

SOMSD Newsletter - May 29, 2020 VOL. 1, ISSUE 12

Superintendent's Corner

Hello SOMSD Family,

I hope this correspondence finds you and your families well. Please know that as the updates from our Governor are released, we are having many planning conversations both internally and externally. We know that there is anxiousness around topics such as summer academic and enrichment activities, locker clean-out, possible Chromebook return, culminating/end of year celebrations, etc. We are including our Health Department in the vetting of possible plans to ensure that our well-intentioned ideas do not have unintended negative consequences. Please be comforted to know that our first priority in each next step is the health and safety of our students, staff, and community. Thank you, stay healthy!

Educationally yours,

Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools

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South Orange & Maplewood School District is Now on YouTube

Subscribe to and follow the District's YouTube Channel.

Link: https://bit.ly/SOMSDYouTube

Columbia High School Honors their Student-Athletes

CHS Athletic Department Highlights Seniors in Virtual College Sports Signing Ceremony

The CHS Athletic Department pays tribute to student-athletes who are graduating will be going off to play at the college-level in athletics next fall. In lieu of the department's in-person signing-day festivities (due to COVID-19) with families in tow, a virtual video was produced to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing student-athletes. Thank you to the Athletic Department staff, CCN, and CHS coaches for your hard work.

Softball Team Honors & Salutes Nine-Graduating Seniors

Columbia High School's softball team went all the way to the state sectional finals last year and were excited to see if they could top that this year. With nine seniors playing on the team, all indications were that it was going to be a banner year. COVID-19 derailed that dream and seniors will be moving on to their college journies, without playing their last season. The CHS boosters and Athletic department celebrated the CHS softball seniors on Thursday, May 28, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the last game the team played in the state sectional final against North Hunterdon. Enjoy this tribute to all of the graduating seniors.

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Virtual "Welcome to Middle School" Event -

Families of fifth-grade students are invited to join Principal Gronau, Maplewood Middle School and Principal Irby, South Orange Middle School on Tuesday, 6/9 @ 7:30 pm for a virtual "Welcome to Middle School" event via WebEx. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/3d0v64S

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Make Some Noise for the CHS Class of 2020!

The District will celebrate the Class of 2020 with a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, June 24 @ 6 pm. Following the broadcast, CHS HSA invites everyone in our two towns to step outside their homes at 8:20 pm (20:20) to make some noise for our graduates using whatever means available. We’ll be distributing a free, branded cowbell to every senior at the personalized sign and t-shirt pick up to help them Make Some Noise and hope that everyone uses #CHSNoise2020 to post videos and photos of the moment for all to see. For more info: https://bit.ly/CHSVirtualGrad

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Kindergarten Orientation for all Schools Cancelled

Please note Kindergarten Orientation for all District schools are canceled. A virtual orientation will take place in the near future and families will be contacted with new dates after culminating activities have been completed.