Virtual Webinars

The district will often offer webinars and virtual presentations for caregivers and families to express their thoughts on the future of the South Orange & Maplewood School District.

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Upcoming Sessions in SOMSD

Virtual & Online Forums

Virtual & Online Forums

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Past Informational Events

Safety and Security Virtual Town Hall

Thursday March 5

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Arts College Portfolio Preparedness

Tuesday March 3

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Moved - Family Book Study with Superintendent Bing (Session 2/3)

Tuesday March 3

all day

Postponed - Family Book Study Session with Superintendent Bing

Tuesday February 24

all day

NJ Curriculum Mandates in Social Studies

Wednesday February 18

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Webinar Recording Library

25-26
24-25

Managing the Emotional Needs of Gifted Kids on 2/10/26

Riding Out the Storm: Managing the Emotional Needs of Gifted Kids with Dr. Matthew J. Zakreski

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Join us for an Evening with Matthew J. Zakreski, Psy.D., as he presents on understanding the emotional needs of gifted and neurodivergent learners. This workshop will focus on giftedness and twice-exceptionality as aspects of broader neurodiversity. Gifted and twice-exceptional individuals are marked by their intensity, particularly their emotional intensity. These emotional outbursts can be very disruptive and dysregulating to the students, their peers, parents, teachers, and community supports. This session will focus on the psychology and neuroscience behind emotional intensity and give concrete, accessible techniques that will allow for the development of self-regulation skills.

Dr. Zakreski is a licensed clinical psychologist, consultant, speaker, published author, professor, and podcast host. He has presented his work on giftedness nearly one thousand times all over the world. He is a member of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the Society for the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), and the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC). He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective, where he provides therapy, psycho-educational testing, and consultation. Learn more: www.theneurodiversitycollective.com

Budget 101 Webinar on 1/22/26

Budget 101 Webinar

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM

New Jersey school districts must adopt a balanced, publicly approved annual budget. SOMSD hosted a "Budget 101" informational webinar to help families and community members better understand how school budgets are developed in New Jersey and what factors influence local decisions. The session provided an overview of the budget cycle, including how funding flows from local taxes, state aid, and federal sources, and the roles played by district leadership and school board.

The presentation highlighted why most school budgets are driven by personnel costs and reviewed key pressures such as rising healthcare expenses, enrollment changes, charter and out-of-district tuition, and the availability of federal relief funds.

World Language Course Options on 1/20/26

Virtual Town Hall on 1/15/26

January Virtual Town Hall with Superintendent Bing

Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Superintendent Jason Bing and his senior leadership team hosted a virtual Community Town Hall in January. The open forum was designed to keep the community informed and involved. The discussion covered new and expanded programming, an early look at 2026–27 budget planning, the launch of new community action committees, and other timely district priorities, with time set aside for questions and shared conversation.

NJTSS Overview on 1/6/26

NJTSS Curriculum Night for Parents/Guardians

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM

We recently held our NJTSS Overview, a virtual event designed to help families learn how the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports provides targeted interventions alongside enrichment opportunities. During the session, we explored how this framework offers academic and social-emotional support while helping parents engage with their child's learning at home.

K-3 Literacy Curriculum on 12/1/25

K-3 Literacy Curriculum Night for Parents/Guardians

Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM

The district hosted a Curriculum Information Night focused on K–3 literacy updates, giving families a clear look at instructional shifts, early reading supports, and what to expect this year. The webinar was designed to help parents feel confident about early literacy instruction and how they can support strong reading habits at home.

Virtual Town Hall on 11/25/25

November Virtual Town Hall with Superintendent Bing

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Superintendent Bing hosted a Virtual Town Hall in November to bring families up to speed on key district topics, from next year’s K–5 transportation plans to the data and family-voice work unfolding within the Intentional Integration Initiative. It also highlighted updates on student experience, technology use, school culture, facilities planning, and budget priorities. Families found a warm, clear overview of what was ahead and how the district has been working to support every learner.

Ritzer Field Town Hall Q&A on 7/9/25

Ritzer Field Town Hall Q&A with Superintendent Bing

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM

The South Orange & Maplewood School District is considering options for a potential proposal to the Board of School Estimate. The district is reviewing and discussing district and municipal priorities related to athletic fields before taking any formal action. The July 9th webinar provided a discussion with Superintendent Bing and district leaders on the future of athletics for our students.

View Ritzer & Auditorium Projects Q&A

View the SOMSD Turf v. Grass Comparison

Submit commentary to the school district

24-25

Pre-K & Kindergarten Virtual Town Hall on 5/16/25

Middle School Math Course Selection Information Session on 4/30/25 and 5/1/25

High School Arts Portfolio Night on 4/22/25

Budget Town Hall – Session 5 on 4/11/25

Budget Town Hall – Session 4 on 4/10/25

Budget Town Hall – Session 3 on 4/4/25

Budget Town Hall

Friday, April 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM

The third session of the district's Budget Town Hall focused on the SOMSD's approach to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community engagement. Factors like additional state aid and maintenance reserves are helping maintain financial stability. The district discussed infrastructure, transportation, and initiatives aimed at promoting equity in schools as part of long-term planning.

Budget Town Hall – Session 2 on 4/2/25

Budget Town Hall

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM

The second session of the district's Budget Town Hall highlighted the SOMSD's commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community engagement. Despite rising costs, factors such as additional state aid and maintenance reserves are helping to maintain financial stability. Investments in infrastructure, transportation, and equitable school initiatives are apart of a forward-thinking approach to long-term planning.

The district is optimizing contracts, refining busing policies, and advocating for better funding, ensuring resources are used efficiently. With community involvement and deliberate planning, the district is positioned to navigate challenges while prioritizing student success and facility improvements.

Social Studies Curriculum Information for Grades 3-5 on 3/26/25

Residency Confirmation Town Hall for Grade 8 Families on 3/26/25

Grade 8 Residency Confirmation Town Hall

Wednesday, march 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Our district is committed to ensuring that our resources continue to support students who reside within the boundaries of our community. As part of this commitment, we will be conducting a residency confirmation for our current 8th-grade students as they prepare for the next step in their educational journey.

Budget Town Hall – Session 1 on 3/25/25

Transportation Community Conversation with Superintendent Bing on 3/20/25

SOMSD Transportation Community Conversations with Mr. Bing

Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Join us for an upcoming Community Conversation with Superintendent Bing, where parents, staff, and community members can engage in open dialogue about our schools regarding transportation. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, and collaborate on ways to support our students.

Middle School Math Course Selection Information Session on 3/14/25

Webinar topic:
Middle School Math Course Selection Information Session

Date and time:
Friday, March 14, 2025 9:00 AM | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Join link:
https://somsd.webex.com/somsd/j.php?MTID=m22123d23da041d78a7f960e692d1c30d

Webinar number:
2345 057 9788

Webinar password:
LearningIsFun24! (53276464 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone
+1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

Access code: 234 505 79788

Middle School Math Course Selection Information Session on 3/13/25

Webinar topic:
Middle School Math Course Selection Information Session

Date and time:
Thursday, March 13, 2025 7:00 PM | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Join link:
https://somsd.webex.com/somsd/j.php?MTID=m54200b35fe0a8b9fb71a806a4f291d2e

Webinar number:
2349 857 4322

Webinar password:
LearningIsFun24! (53276464 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone
+1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

Access code: 234 985 74322

"5 Principles of Parenting" with Dr. Aliza Pressman on 3/12/25

The SOMSD Parenting Center is excited to share an upcoming event with Dr. Aliza Pressman. Dr. Pressman is a developmental psychologist with nearly two decades of experience working with families and the health care providers who care for them. Aliza is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Division of Behavioral Health Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital where she is co- founding director of The Mount Sinai Parenting Center.

Aliza is also the host of the award-winning podcast, Raising Good Humans, and the author of THE 5 PRINCIPLES OF PARENTING: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans.

Join us on March 12th at 7pm to learn more about Dr. Pressman's 5 Principles of Parenting.

This session did not have a recording.