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
Explore communication resources for educators »
SOMSD in the News
![Young Audiences Arts for Learning Honors Seth Boyden Elementary with 2025 AIE Arts Champion Governor’s Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748626857/somsdk12njus/py4h6eah1qdtjevhkvzo/Full-group-on-stage-1-scaled.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1748626857/somsdk12njus/py4h6eah1qdtjevhkvzo/Full-group-on-stage-1-scaled.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1748626857/somsdk12njus/py4h6eah1qdtjevhkvzo/Full-group-on-stage-1-scaled.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1748626857/somsdk12njus/py4h6eah1qdtjevhkvzo/Full-group-on-stage-1-scaled.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1748626857/somsdk12njus/py4h6eah1qdtjevhkvzo/Full-group-on-stage-1-scaled.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1748626857/somsdk12njus/py4h6eah1qdtjevhkvzo/Full-group-on-stage-1-scaled.jpg","width":2200}])
Young Audiences Arts for Learning
On Friday, May 2, Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) proudly recognized outstanding arts supporters with the AIE Arts Champion Governor’s Award as part of the statewide Governor’s Awards in Arts Education. This prestigious accolade was presented to Seth Boyden Elementary School in Maplewood, NJ, in recognition of their exceptional dedication to arts education through the AIE Program.
![CHS Film Students Connect With Industry Leaders at First NJ Film Expo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746535962/somsdk12njus/fg5pyw4l4zromcse1buo/IMG_6193-scaled.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746535962/somsdk12njus/fg5pyw4l4zromcse1buo/IMG_6193-scaled.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746535962/somsdk12njus/fg5pyw4l4zromcse1buo/IMG_6193-scaled.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1746535962/somsdk12njus/fg5pyw4l4zromcse1buo/IMG_6193-scaled.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1746535962/somsdk12njus/fg5pyw4l4zromcse1buo/IMG_6193-scaled.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1746535962/somsdk12njus/fg5pyw4l4zromcse1buo/IMG_6193-scaled.jpg","width":2200}])
The Village Green
Columbia High School film and TV students attended the first NJ Film Expo at the Meadowlands in Rutherford New Jersey on May 1, 2025.
![Achieve Foundation Brings 10th Annual Maker Madness to CHS on April 26]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/wxejy44mklzcn0fywq2z/newsmention-villagegreen.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/wxejy44mklzcn0fywq2z/newsmention-villagegreen.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/wxejy44mklzcn0fywq2z/newsmention-villagegreen.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/wxejy44mklzcn0fywq2z/newsmention-villagegreen.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/wxejy44mklzcn0fywq2z/newsmention-villagegreen.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/wxejy44mklzcn0fywq2z/newsmention-villagegreen.png","width":1620}])
The Village Green
Families will have the opportunity to enjoy more than 25 maker stations at this FREE community STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) event at Columbia High School.
Columbia High School Scholarship Fund
Since 1923, CHSSF has been providing need-based scholarships to CHS graduates.
Columbia Cougar Athletics
![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.
![Columbia HS indoor track teams solid at SEC meet and state Meet of Champs]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741541083/somsdk12njus/f7lkofoynvecyslbc92w/TRACK-CHS-EC-relays1.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741541083/somsdk12njus/f7lkofoynvecyslbc92w/TRACK-CHS-EC-relays1.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741541083/somsdk12njus/f7lkofoynvecyslbc92w/TRACK-CHS-EC-relays1.webp","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1741541083/somsdk12njus/f7lkofoynvecyslbc92w/TRACK-CHS-EC-relays1.webp","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1741541083/somsdk12njus/f7lkofoynvecyslbc92w/TRACK-CHS-EC-relays1.webp","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741541083/somsdk12njus/f7lkofoynvecyslbc92w/TRACK-CHS-EC-relays1.webp","width":1977}])
Essex News Daily
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.
- Indoor Track
![Columbia junior August Katz, middle, stands on the podium after winning the 150-pound title at the Essex County Tournament on Thursday, Jan. 23.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741470248/somsdk12njus/s2l2dytu1zkjjsfaiorp/WRESTLE-CHS-EC-Katz-1.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741470248/somsdk12njus/s2l2dytu1zkjjsfaiorp/WRESTLE-CHS-EC-Katz-1.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741470248/somsdk12njus/s2l2dytu1zkjjsfaiorp/WRESTLE-CHS-EC-Katz-1.webp","width":528}])
Essex News Daily
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
Alumni in the News
![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
Durand-Hedden House remembers ‘irreplaceable’ Trustee Marilyn Schnaars (opens in new window/tab)
Essex News Daily
Marilyn S. Schnaars, a long-time volunteer who greeted people entering the house while sitting in the chair, has died.
![USA Bobsled/Skeleton Welcomes Hazel Clark (CHS '95) to Board of Directors]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742925228/somsdk12njus/rntmo4n6o0c9mrpwr50v/1742824181235.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1742925228/somsdk12njus/rntmo4n6o0c9mrpwr50v/1742824181235.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742925228/somsdk12njus/rntmo4n6o0c9mrpwr50v/1742824181235.jpg","width":717}])
- CHS 1995
USA Bobsled/Skeleton
The USA Bobsled/Skeleton Board of Directors has welcomed three new members to their team: Hazel Clark, JP Davies, and John Rigos.