REMINDER: This TUESDAY, 11/4 is a 4-hour day with 12:30pm dismissal for Election Day

REMINDER: This TUESDAY, 11/4 is a 4-hour day with 12:30pm dismissal for Election Day. Lunch will NOT be served. Also, there is NO SCHOOL on Thursday, 11/6 and Friday, 11/7

Food Support and SNAP Resources

With interruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, we wanted to provide several community resources available to support you during this time.  

• Cougar Cares and Columbia High School Food Pantry – Our high school pantry is available to all families in the district. If you would like us to prepare a bag of groceries for your household, please contact your child’s social worker.  
• The Food & Health Equity Coalition of Essex County, NJ – This organization has a network of partners that offers food assistance and support to those experiencing food insecurity. You can find more information and local resources through their website or community partners. 
• Local Food Pantries in South Orange and Maplewood (SOMA) – Several food pantries in our community provide groceries and household essentials to residents in need. Please CLICK HERE to find our local food pantries. Here is an additional directory of food pantries in Essex County. MEND Hunger Relief Network of Essex County, NJ
• If you receive SNAP benefits, your child is eligible for free lunch. 
• If you need any additional support at this time, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school principal or your school’s social worker  - Jesse Pierre, Dana Robinson, Gloria Diaz 

2025 Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive Is Here

Announcing our 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive!

This year, we’re working to raise $24,000 to benefit 240 families. The drive is sponsored together by Presidents’ Council (all the PTAs and HSAs), SOMSD Parenting Center, Cougar Cares and The Achieve Foundation to provide holiday food support to all our SOMSD families in need with one coordinated effort.

Please donate and share!

https://givebutter.com/lnAFeY

Friends of South Orange Public Library Jewelry Sale - Nov 15th & 16th

Stop by the Friends of South Orange Public Library Jewelry Sale to pick up jewelry from the silly to the spectacular on Saturday, November 15th and Sunday, November 16th.  

You can also drop off jewelry donations at either of the two temporary library locations -- the Baird & 298 Walton Avenue. Please include contact information so they can provide a receipt for tax purposes. 

Where: The Baird, 5 Mead Street, South Orange 

Save the Date - November 14 - 6th Grade Fall Social

Pick Up & Play Lacrosse • 11/9 • 1PM • Underhill Field

Please Complete Your Annual Student Forms in PowerSchool

As we move through the school year, the district has asked everyone please take a few minutes to complete your annual student forms in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

These forms help keep every student safe and supported. They include:

• Emergency contacts and medical info
  
  

• Photo/media permissions
  
  

• Walking permission slips (elementary only)
  
  

• Technology use agreements for district devices

Your updates ensure that the schools have accurate, up-to-date information to best care for your student. Please log in to PowerSchool (https://somsd.powerschool.com/public/) and complete the forms for each student as soon as possible.

Thank you for helping us create a safe and smooth school experience for everyone!

Our Towns Read "Our Town" Community Benefit - November 16th

The Achieve Foundation of South Orange & Maplewood is proud to present Our Towns Read Our Town, a unique community celebration and benefit for our local public schools.

This one-time-only dramatic reading of Thornton Wilder’s beloved classic Our Town, will take place on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Columbia High School. Tickets on sale November 1! 

The event features two-time Tony Award-winning actor Norbert Leo Butz in the role of the Stage Manager, alongside rising local stars Marygrace Rumley and Quincy Hampton (both recent Columbia High School alumni now pursuing drama in college) as Emily Webb and George Gibbs. They will be joined by a cast of local leaders, artists, and neighbors, uniting professional artistry with homegrown talent to support educational equity and opportunity for every student in our towns.

Free Achieve Tutoring Available

MMS Music Bingo Rescheduled to January 23, 2026!