The South Orange & Maplewood School District works in cooperation with news and other media outlets. In order to ensure we are focused on our mission of providing an exceptional education to all students, along with our focus on safety and security, district protocols are in place to guide media inquiries.
Media Requests
Click Here: Media Attendance Request Form for CHS Graduation
Media Protocols
All inquiries and requests for information about the school district and nonathletic events are to be directed to: edraper@somsd.k12.nj.us
Staff at any of the district's ten schools who are contacted by media are to refer media requests to the Communications prior to granting access to media. Communications staff will then assist media with organizing dates, times and location and provide other information, depending on the request or inquiry.
Media on District Property
- Prior approval from Communications must be obtained before any media, including reporters, photographers or videographers, are allowed on district property.
- All visitors, including media, are required to check-in at district facilities and present state-issued photo identification. All visitors are required to wear visitor badges at all times while on district property.
- Generally speaking, we ask that media who wish to conduct random “man on the street” interviews or who wish to get video of a district facility do so away from district property.
Student and staff privacy
- Student and staff photographs, videos and interviews may only be conducted with the permission and at the discretion of SOMSD Communication staff.
- All students who are to be photographed, filmed or interviewed must have media releases on file.
- The Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is observed at all times in terms of what information can or cannot be shared about students.