The Office of Communications for the South Orange & Maplewood School District serves a diverse community with clarity, integrity, and purpose. Administrative staff in the district are committed to transparent, accurate communication that fosters trust and strengthens relationships among educators, students, families, caregivers, and the broader community.
The office drives the district’s public information and engagement efforts, overseeing websites, media relations, speechwriting, video and presentation development, brand identity, design, social media, and publications. In collaboration with school leaders, the Office of Communications highlights school initiatives and events, ensuring families and the community receive meaningful and accessible information.
Explore communication resources for educators »
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SOMSD in the News
![Maplewood Students Invent Mechanized Gate, School Uses Their Project To Boost Safety]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759257685/somsdk12njus/b6za6ayrncvglnzqv4yp/steamtankcreative-crew___30114514879.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759257685/somsdk12njus/b6za6ayrncvglnzqv4yp/steamtankcreative-crew___30114514879.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1759257685/somsdk12njus/b6za6ayrncvglnzqv4yp/steamtankcreative-crew___30114514879.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759257685/somsdk12njus/b6za6ayrncvglnzqv4yp/steamtankcreative-crew___30114514879.jpg","width":1182}])
Patch
Students captured drone footage of the area, tracked traffic patterns, and built prototypes of their mechanical crossing guard.
![MMS Creative Crew One Of Three State Finalists Headed To NJSBA’s Steam Tank™️Challenge In Atlantic City Next Month]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759262286/somsdk12njus/q0v28dsvkzikefclqq6g/best_crop_636a6fe64e09216c89ba_steamtankcreative_crew.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759262286/somsdk12njus/q0v28dsvkzikefclqq6g/best_crop_636a6fe64e09216c89ba_steamtankcreative_crew.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759262286/somsdk12njus/q0v28dsvkzikefclqq6g/best_crop_636a6fe64e09216c89ba_steamtankcreative_crew.jpg","width":770}])
TAPinto SOMA
For Maplewood’s local finalists, this meant tackling school pedestrian safety by inventing CrossGuard – a mechanized gate they designed, prototyped and built themselves that is now part of the public infrastructure at Maple Avenue and Salter Place...
![SOMA Assistant Superintendent Provides Intentional Integration Initiative Update]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759262106/somsdk12njus/o786c4ibhahaltutj2nl/best_crop_3a341bbf93117b4f21d8_Screen_Shot_2025-09-25_at_85454_PM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759262106/somsdk12njus/o786c4ibhahaltutj2nl/best_crop_3a341bbf93117b4f21d8_Screen_Shot_2025-09-25_at_85454_PM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759262106/somsdk12njus/o786c4ibhahaltutj2nl/best_crop_3a341bbf93117b4f21d8_Screen_Shot_2025-09-25_at_85454_PM.png","width":770}])
TAPinto SOMA
Gilbert spoke of academic and behavioral supports. “[We’ve] developed a district-wide tier system of supports that included tools and protocols for the operation of intervention team meetings.”
![Seton Hall Students Help SOMA’s Schools via Market Research]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759257388/somsdk12njus/wq6qc1ewaomzixv1q6mx/south-orange-downtown-2020-320.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759257388/somsdk12njus/wq6qc1ewaomzixv1q6mx/south-orange-downtown-2020-320.jpg","width":320}])
Seton Hall University News
Seton Hall students from our Market Research Center program participated in a semester-long consulting project with the South Orange & Maplewood School District.
Columbia Cougar Athletics
![CHS runners impress at Magee Memorial]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759258163/somsdk12njus/p10x2jiqwkpubex6rbcm/CROSS-CHS-Ameli-WEB.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759258163/somsdk12njus/p10x2jiqwkpubex6rbcm/CROSS-CHS-Ameli-WEB.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1759258163/somsdk12njus/p10x2jiqwkpubex6rbcm/CROSS-CHS-Ameli-WEB.webp","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1759258163/somsdk12njus/p10x2jiqwkpubex6rbcm/CROSS-CHS-Ameli-WEB.webp","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1759258163/somsdk12njus/p10x2jiqwkpubex6rbcm/CROSS-CHS-Ameli-WEB.webp","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759258163/somsdk12njus/p10x2jiqwkpubex6rbcm/CROSS-CHS-Ameli-WEB.webp","width":1722}])
Essex News Daily
The Columbia High School boys and girls cross-country teams gave good efforts at the Bernie Magee Memorial Class Meet on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Greystone–Central Park in Morris Plains.
![Buchalter and Josefsberg Represent Columbia H.S. in Baseball All-Star Game]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751047715/somsdk12njus/r34g1ydm2r4rauxw57q9/IsaacColumbiaHSBaseball.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751047715/somsdk12njus/r34g1ydm2r4rauxw57q9/IsaacColumbiaHSBaseball.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1751047715/somsdk12njus/r34g1ydm2r4rauxw57q9/IsaacColumbiaHSBaseball.jpg","width":770}])
Buchalter and Josefsberg Represent Columbia H.S. in Baseball All-Star Game (opens in new window/tab)
TAPinto SOMA
Two members of the Columbia High School baseball team represented the Cougars in the New Jersey Underclassmen 2025 All-Star Game last week at Arthur L. Johnson High School.
![Columbia HS girls lacrosse team surges]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":1620}])
Essex News Daily
The Columbia High School girls lacrosse team defeated Morristown Beard and Cranford, both at Underhill Field Complex’s Lynn V. Profeta Field in Maplewood, to improve to a 2-2 record on the season.
![Columbia HS softball team rolls to unbeaten start]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745116431/somsdk12njus/kgo1ezflkmrlrrclwrgs/ColumbiaHSsoftball.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745116431/somsdk12njus/kgo1ezflkmrlrrclwrgs/ColumbiaHSsoftball.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745116431/somsdk12njus/kgo1ezflkmrlrrclwrgs/ColumbiaHSsoftball.webp","width":745}])
Essex News Daily
The Columbia High School softball team continued its unbeaten start to the season.
- Softball
Essex News Daily
The Columbia High School baseball team defeated Carteret, 16-3, on Thursday, April 10, to improve to a 4-1 record on the season.
- Baseball
![Baseball: Columbia Tops Montclair, 11-7]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":1620}])
TAPinto SOMA
Columbia scored five runs in the fourth inning and went on to an 11-7 baseball victory over Montclair on Monday.
![Columbia HS softball team seeks another great season]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745120212/somsdk12njus/jneztymnkyu0ym5iadcm/SOFT-CHS-Shupe-1.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745120212/somsdk12njus/jneztymnkyu0ym5iadcm/SOFT-CHS-Shupe-1.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745120212/somsdk12njus/jneztymnkyu0ym5iadcm/SOFT-CHS-Shupe-1.webp","width":743}])
Essex News Daily
For the Columbia High School softball team, the past two seasons have been magnificent. This season, the Cougars are poised to make another strong run.
Essex News Daily
The Columbia High School girls basketball team featured four players who earned All–Super Essex Conference–Liberty Division honors, as selected by the divisional coaches.
Alumni in the News
![North Jersey artist designs NY/NJ World Cup 2026 poster. Spot Easter eggs in his design]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762802788/somsdk12njus/aspl4dw1ixrbhx0wmk0q/83766126007-dsc-01678.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762802788/somsdk12njus/aspl4dw1ixrbhx0wmk0q/83766126007-dsc-01678.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762802788/somsdk12njus/aspl4dw1ixrbhx0wmk0q/83766126007-dsc-01678.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1762802788/somsdk12njus/aspl4dw1ixrbhx0wmk0q/83766126007-dsc-01678.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1762802788/somsdk12njus/aspl4dw1ixrbhx0wmk0q/83766126007-dsc-01678.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1762802788/somsdk12njus/aspl4dw1ixrbhx0wmk0q/83766126007-dsc-01678.jpg","width":2200}])
NorthJersey.com
Rich Tu, a visual artist raised in South Orange and now based in Brooklyn, was selected by the region's host committee to pen the official poster for the New York/New Jersey host region.
![CHS 2020 Grad Nathaniel Jolimere, 23, Generous, Kind and Joyful Despite His Pain]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745116650/somsdk12njus/iqic6eaiuz12nr8hgruj/Nathaniel-1.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745116650/somsdk12njus/iqic6eaiuz12nr8hgruj/Nathaniel-1.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745116650/somsdk12njus/iqic6eaiuz12nr8hgruj/Nathaniel-1.webp","width":747}])
- CHS 2020
The Village Green
CHS grad Nathaniel Jolimere majored in Finance at William Paterson University and had started his career at JP Morgan Chase before complications from sickle cell disease took his earthly life.
![Durand-Hedden House remembers ‘irreplaceable’ Trustee Marilyn Schnaars]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745120039/somsdk12njus/hvjwtht4fthnkh6c1ida/MAP-Schnaars1-C.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745120039/somsdk12njus/hvjwtht4fthnkh6c1ida/MAP-Schnaars1-C.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745120039/somsdk12njus/hvjwtht4fthnkh6c1ida/MAP-Schnaars1-C.webp","width":570}])
- CHS 1951
Essex News Daily
Marilyn S. Schnaars, a long-time volunteer who greeted people entering the house while sitting in the chair, has died.
