As a Matter of Fact!
District Newsletter - Vol. 2, Issue 4 - October 30, 2020
Superintendent's Message
As we prepare to take our fall break, we want to express our thanks to all of our teachers, staff, support professionals, and families who have made it possible for our students to continue to receive quality and stellar education during this pandemic.
To our wonderful educators, we wish you a safe, restful, and well-needed break.
Educationally Yours,
Dr. Ronald G. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools
SOMSD Extends School Reopening to January 19, 2021
We have had extensive conversations with our vendor and have been informed that the filters are inexpensive and can be quickly installed once received. Our vendor believes we can complete our project, which also includes repairing motors and blowers in each univent (approximately 1,000) as needed, in between six-to-eight weeks. Please remember that the repair/replacement of our HVAC systems is a part of our planned district-wide construction improvement project.
To that end, the estimated timing of this work resets our potential reopening, which will now take place on approximately January 19. The preparation timeline for this reopening will also include action steps that ensure increased monitoring and communication of our progress. Given the upcoming holidays and the difficulties many are facing (and will face due to staff quarantines), this date also allows for personal quarantining for any in our school community who travel for the winter break without the need for substitutes and the accompanying disruption to educational services. The District will provide more updates to families when we return from fall break.
Immunization Update from School Nurses
Click here for more information and school nurse's contacts: https://bit.ly/3oGwTlL
https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/home/news/best-practices-safe-and-fun-halloween
K-8 Textbook/Curriculum Materials Update
K-8 Families,
There have been many inquiries about when K-8 students will receive curriculum materials. Curriculum material orders were collected from schools and processed throughout the month of July. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many of our supplies have taken months to arrive in our buildings.
In the past couple of weeks, the C&I Department began receiving reports from principals that orders are beginning to be delivered. Building principals are currently creating a plan with curriculum supervisors and PTAs to distribute materials to students/families. Please keep an eye out for an email from your building principal with instructions for picking up supplies. Enjoy the fall break.
Curriculum & Instruction Department
Filipino American History Month
Our District celebrates our Filipino American community including our staff and students of Filipino descent this month. Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinas/os and African Americans. The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California.
In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month. The late Dr. Fred Cordova, along with his wife, FANHS Founder Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova, first introduced October as Filipino American History Month in 1992 with a resolution from the FANHS National Board of Trustees.
Across the nation, FANHS Chapters, colleges and universities, museums and community groups, will be commemorating Filipino American History Month with various activities and events to bring awareness of the significant role Filipinos have played in American history.
Text Attribution - Filipino American National Historical Society: http://fanhs-national.org/filam/
Student & Staff Highlights
Congratulations to CHS Football Coach Mobley for Being Named as Jets Coach of the Week
bit.ly/31Jstkx
Tuscan Elementary Celebrates Filipino Heritage Month
Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinx and African Americans. In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. FANHS | Filipino American National Historical Society
In recognition of Filipino American History Month, from October 16 - 21, the 5th Grade Makasakit /Skawinski team of student morning announcers created video messages to spotlight notable Filipino Americans. Thank you again to Mrs. Makasakit and 5M homeroom for successfully launching student-created morning announcements for Tuscan School. Students celebrated notable Filipino's: Global Artists, Bruno Mars, professional boxer and Senator of the Phillippines, Manny Pacquiao,
Congratulations to CHS Football Cougars Leading w/ a 3-0 Record to Start the Season
District Updates, Reminders & News
How to Speak to Your Child about Racism w/Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith
The Parenting Center in collaboration with elementary school PTAs presents the final webinar installation of the Fall Social, Emotional, and Academic Crisis Support Speaker Series. Join us for "How to Speak to Your Child about Racism," with Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith to learn about:
- How do children understand race?
- What are the impacts of racism and implicit bias on education?
- How can we help our children understand #BLM?
Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, Cal California. Dr. Briscoe-Smith' s research center s on Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how children understand race. She leads workshops and lectures to educate parents, teachers, and communities on these issues.
JOIN WEBEX MEETING
Link: https://bit.ly/3e3U30C
Meeting ID: 173 700 6036
Meeting Password: 5Egt2ksnr2a
JOIN BY PHONE
408-418-9388
Meeting ID: 173 700 6036
Meeting Password: 53482576
Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020, 07:30 PM
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2020 Parenting Center Toy Drive Needs Your Help
- Make an online tax-deductible contribution at: https://gf.me/u/y4u2sq or search SOMSD Parenting Center Toy Drive: www.gofundme.com
- Mail a check, payable to SOMSD Parenting Center to: South Orange & Maplewood School district, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
For more information visit: http://bit.ly/PC2020ToyDrive
SOMSD Fall Food Support Programs
Additional information on pantry distribution with local partners, CHS Cougar Cares and SOMA Shares can be found on the District website (Spanish & Haitian Creole translations included): https://bit.ly/2RwXSRm
Community News & Resources
Food Distribution | Distribucion De Alimentos, Mon., /Lunes, 11/2
Essex County Emergency Food Distribution Event:
- Monday, November 2, 2020, 9 a.m. Bloomfield Public Library Parking Lot State Street Bloomfield, NJ It will be held RAIN or SHINE.
- Lunes 2 de Noviembre 9 a.m. Parqueo de la Biblioteca Publica de Bloomfield State Street, Bloomfield, NJ Evento se llevará a cabo aunque llueva o este soleado.
Maplewood Launches the #NewNormalMaplewood Campaign
- Take a picture of yourself doing everyday activities while simultaneously protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.
- Post it on any social media of your choice using hashtag #newnormalmaplewood
Download COVID Alert NJ App - Contact Tracing
NJ has released a free and secure exposure notification app to assist with Contact Tracing and protecting our communities. The app will use Bluetooth to sense any “close contacts”—other app users who are within 6 feet of you for more than 10 minutes. When your app senses a close contact, your phone will exchange a secure random code with the close contact’s phone. Click here for more information:
SOMSD District Calendar November 2020
- Monday - Friday, November 2 - 6: FALL BREAK - DISTRICT CLOSED (Includes Election & NJEA Convention Days)
- Monday, November 16: BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING | 7:30 pm
- Tuesday, November 17: Talking to you Kids about Race & Racism, with Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith | Parenting Center Fall Series @ 7:30 pm via WebEx
- Wednesday, November 25: HOLIDAY RECESS - HALF-DAY (PreK-12)
- Thursday - Friday, November 26 - 27: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - DISTRICT CLOSED
Additional Information & Resources for the Community
- 2020 - 2021 Parenting Center Crisis Support Speaker Series
- 2020 - 2021 Community Digital Backpack
- SOMSD School Related Coranavirus Update Center
- Maplewood Township COVID-19 Resource Portal
- South Orange Village COVID-19 Info Portal
- Mental Health & Wellness Resources
- Face Mask Protection Guidelines for COVID-19
The School District of South Orange & Maplewood
Email: communications@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us
Location: 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-762-5600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somsdk12
Twitter: @SOMSDK12