The Office of Communications in the South Orange & Maplewood School District is dedicated to serving a diverse range of audiences with transparency, accuracy, and engagement. We prioritize clear and open communication with our staff, students, families/caregivers, and the broader community, recognizing that ongoing dialogue is crucial in fostering trust and strong relationships.
The office oversees school district public information and community engagement, including website maintenance, media relations, presentation and video development, speechwriting, brand identity, graphic design, social media, and the copywriting/editing of publications. The Administrative Offices supports school buildings in promoting their initiatives and events, ensuring that important news and information are effectively shared with district families and the community.
For media inquiries, contact:
Mr. Eshaya Draper
Communications Director
edraper@somsd.k12.nj.us
information@somsd.k12.nj.us
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SOMSD in the News
Theodore Cummings, a student at Maplewood Middle School (MMS) and member of the STEAM Tank Team, shared a slide presentation of the MMS STEAM Tank Team project. The contest is a competition in which students identify a problem in their community and solve it by using elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Nic Mansfield and Leila Harrison also worked on the presentation. See photo above of all the STEAM Tank Team members.
The Columbia High School Robotics teams are headed to the state championships, after competing in the First Tech Challenge of New Jersey (FTCNJ) post-season competition on Saturday, March 1.
The Columbia High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Peter F. Bauer performed its annual concert on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.
Columbia Cougar Athletics
The Columbia High School boys and girls indoor track and field teams enjoyed solid performances at the Super Essex Conference–American Division Championships on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Facility on Staten Island, New York.
- Track & Field
Columbia High School boys wrestlers August Katz and Oliver Kreizman enjoyed outstanding performances at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Region 4 tournament at Union High School, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28-March 1.
- Wrestling
The Columbia High School girls fencing team enjoyed a sensational 2024-25 season. The Cougars, the most storied program in the state, finished as the runner-up in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s state team tournament.
- fencing
Levi Taber-Kewene enjoyed a solid effort at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s indoor track and field Group 4 state championships at the Bennett Center in Toms River on Sunday, Feb. 23.
- Track & Field
The Columbia High School girls basketball team hopes to make a strong run in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 state tournament. The Cougars, under head coach Aaron Breitman, received the No. 4 seed. They will host No. 13 seed Scotch Plains–Fanwood in the first round on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m.
Columbia High School’s girls fencing team will face Livingston in the state finals on Thursday, Feb. 27, after beating Ridge in the semifinals on Feb. 26.
The seventh-seeded Columbia High girls fencing team defeated No. 10 seed North Hunterdon, 15-12, in the first round on Thursday, Feb. 20, on the road and upset No. 2 seed Montclair, 14-13, in the quarterfinals of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s state team tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Three wrestlers from Columbia High School won championships in their weight classes at the NJSIAA District 13 tournament last weekend.