After Failing ‘QSAC’ 3 Years Ago, South Orange-Maplewood Gets ‘High Performing’ Designation From NJ Dept. of Education

September 18, 2018

The New Jersey Dept. of Education has given the South Orange-Maplewood School District a "high performing district" designation following its participation the NJ Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) review this year. In a letter dated August 31 (see below), NJ DOE Assistant Commissioner, Division of Field Services Robert L. Bumpus wrote, "I am pleased to inform you that your district has

PARCC Results Show Achievement Gap Persists; Ficarra Says Gains Will Come Soon

September 18, 2018

A review of state testing results from the 2017-18 school year at last night's South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education meeting showed a continued, significant gap in achievement between black and white students. The news did not go over well with BOE members, but Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ficarra said that changes underway in the district now should lead to better results

Shop South Orange! Sonny’s Bagels

September 18, 2018

The South Orange Village Center Alliance (SOVCA) is hosting its inaugural Business Summit on October 8, at 7:00 p.m. at 1 South (click here to register). The Business Summit will be an opportunity for South Orange Village Center business owners to make new connections to help their businesses and to provide feedback for the SOVCA leadership team. In anticipation of

PHOTOS: PlayDay South Orange Is “Biggest, Bestest, Sunniest, Funnest Ever”

September 18, 2018

The 5th Annual PlayDay South Orange brought out thousands to play in the streets of South Orange Village Center on Sunday, September 16. It was a beautiful day that will ensure more beautiful days to come in South Orange: The South Orange Village Center Alliance will be using proceeds from PlayDay to directly support Village Center beautification and aesthetic improvements for

Collum Gives South Orange Trustees 3 Weeks to Suggest Alternatives for Dogs in Parks Ordinance

September 17, 2018

A dog in Maplewood's Memorial Park during Green Day event, 2016. Despite public indicators showing majority support for an ordinance that would allow dogs — on leash — in public parks, the South Orange Village Board of Trustees found itself split 3-3 on Thursday night over an ordinance that would do just that. An online poll, pubic comments

Former Professional Dancers Are Bringing ChaiseFitness to Maplewood Village

September 17, 2018

As you walk through Maplewood Village, it’s hard to miss the construction taking place at in the space that used to be Shenanigans Toys. And though you may not be able to buy toys there now, you will still be able to have fun. South Orange residents Claudia Aarts-Schreiber and her husband Felix Aarts are working hard to open ChaiseFitness, a

My Branch Office Co-Working Space Opens in South Orange

September 17, 2018

South Orange Village Center and the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored a grand-opening ribbon-cutting for the "SOMA One" My Branch Office last week at 76 South Orange Avenue in South Orange. The new, "state-of-the-art co-working space" was opened by Jim McGuire who calls it myBranchOffice's "first location." The space enjoys the Valley Street storefront location in the building. "We are very excited