Hello SOMSD Community,

As a District, this month, we celebrate women's contributions to history, culture and society. Throughout our schools and community, various events are being held to celebrate both women’s history, present, and future. As we celebrate I want to highlight and celebrate two sports teams at Columbia High school. The CHS, Cougars Girls' Basketball team, and the CHS Cougars Girls' Fencing Team. The Cougars Girls' Basketball team finished their season undefeated with a 12-0 record and were the Liberty Division Champions as part of the Super Essex Conference. While the Cougars Girls' Fencing team who had a phenomenal season, also completed their season undefeated, 9-0, making it their first unbeaten season since their 2015-16 campaign in which they went 11-0.

On Monday, March 15, we welcomed our K-2 students back to school for hybrid instruction. I as well as members of our senior leadership team had the opportunity to visit the elementary schools and it was wonderful to see the smiles on our students' faces. On Tuesday, March 16, we shared some further updates with the community [click here for the full letter], regarding the court Order compelling SOMEA 6th and 9th-grade teachers to report for in-person instruction as early as Thursday, March 18, 2021 (based on rooms that were already deemed fit). Our 6th and 9th graders who have chosen hybrid-instruction will return to schools starting on Monday, March 22 and we look forward to having this subset of students back. Additional updates have been shared with this parent community from building principals and the District.

On Wednesday, during his daily COVID briefing, Governor Murphy noted the one-year mark of the pandemic and expounded on how it has changed lives with a shutdown, and acknowledged how schools and districts have moved and continue to move forward to meet the pandemic challenges. Most importantly, he made the announcement that for fall 2021 he expects New Jersey schools will be open in person five days a week.

Lastly, we are of course thinking of next school year and the design of our schools. A lot of our decision-making will depend on the possible shifting of State requirements. While the Governor has shared his early expectations, we still await guidelines from the state. So for example, if ‘Virtual Learning’ remains a mandate, then we will do all we can to identify specific all-virtual teachers (at least at the Elementary Level) for those students to allow for possibly returning to as close to a normal schedule for those families who select in person. Additional parental surveys will assist in our preparation.

It has been a long road, however, we are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. As we have continued to share the District is committed and believes it is necessary to have our children return to schools, and we will continue to work hard to ensure that we are able to fulfill that promise.

Educationally yours,

Dr. Ronald G. Taylor

Superintendent of Schools

Any family who submitted a change request from virtual to hybrid instruction for their child by the stated deadline (and received approval confirmation from their building principal) must electronically sign the Parent Agreement Letter of Compliance for each child attending in-person instruction.

If you do not agree to comply with COVID-19 Guidelines and the agreement is not electronically signed prior to your child's return to school, they will not be allowed in the school buildings and must continue their instruction virtually.

The Parent Agreement Letter of Compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines must be completed utilizing the district’s PowerSchool Parent Portal. You must use a computer or a mobile device web browser to complete the form. The PowerSchool iOS and Android PowerSchool applications are not compatible with our online forms.

• Click here for more information: https://bit.ly/CO-19ParentAgreement
• You can also view the YouTube video for more details: Health & Safety Message: Parent COVID 19 Compliance Agreement E-Signature Due: https://youtu.be/Oeub4x3G_No

The District submitted six elementary school construction plans to the state for approval, we are happy to announce that we received approvals for four locations. Approvals to bid additions and renovations were received for Clinton, Jefferson, Seth Boyden, and Tuscan elementary schools. On March 11, construction bids were advertised for Clinton Elementary and Jefferson Elementary schools. Subsequent bids for the remaining two schools will be advertised in the coming weeks. Construction plans for Marshall, South Mountain Elementary and South Mountain Annex are still in the approval process.

For more information on the LRFP project visit: http://bit.ly/3c1KwaS

The SOMSD school nurses developed a chart to summarize the response to COVID+ activity in the school community and to provide clarification on school notification procedures.

When a SOMSD staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, it is the responsibility of that staff member or the parent of the student to notify the principal who notifies the superintendent. The respective local Department of Health (DOH) – South Orange or Maplewood - will be notified immediately. The local DOH, who receives the actual lab report, conducts Contact Tracing. Based on the circumstances of each case, the local DOH provides the District with guidance as to the appropriate and timely notification of staff and families of a confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.

Click here to view the "NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROCEDURE" document