Claire Sinclair took photos of the summer concert at the Maplewood Community Pool, July 30, 2014.
It’s the dog days of summer, but Maplewood and South Orange and environs continue to generate a giant backpack worth of school — and other — news.
At the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education meeting on Monday, July 28, the board ratified a new teachers’ contract, installed acting superintendent James Memoli, and updated the public on the superintendent search. A new principal for Jefferson School introduced herself to families this week via a letter. And the district invited the public to weigh in on the hiring process for a new principal for Maplewood Middle School while appointing Lewis Brown as interim principal.
The district also updated the public on capital projects this summer at Columbia High School and other schools.
In other education news, Village Green gave the final count for BOE candidates for Maplewood and South Orange (it’s six vying for three spots) and for Millburn Board of Ed (seven candiates!). Finally, we posted photos from a Board of Ed candidates’ kickoff campaign party.
In arts and business news, Liz Alterman profiled So.I.Heard House of Music in Downtown Millburn. Village Green also reminded readers about the Summer in the Gazebo concerts on Springfield Avenue, interACT Sings, an exhibit at Gallery 1978, Downtown After Sundown concerts in South Orange, and the coming Free Movies in the Park at Flood’s Hill.
Soccerhood gets a start on raising $1,500 for the children of immigrant families to register for soccer and buy equipment. Credit: Marcia Meehan.
In government news, Maplewood Township unveiled six new pieces of fitness equipment at DeHart Park.
In police and fire news, Maplewood announced a memorial for two young men who were killed in a horrific car crash one year ago. The Maplewood police also announced National Night Out activities for August 5. Police blotters included a senior citizen shoplifter at the Short Hills Mall, car thefts in South Orange, and two robberies in Maplewood.
In community news, an effort named “Soccerhood” got off on the right foot, raising funds for children of immigrant families to register for soccer and purchase equipment. The Hilton Neighborhood Association reclaimed and beautified a municipal parking lot near Springfield Avenue. And Village Green profiled Maplewood resident and Huffington Post blogger Deborah Gaines on her posts about “sex, death and money.”
Finally, on social media, we posted links to a New York Times’s story on Birthright trips to Israel featuring Maplewood resident Lila Faria — as well as a link to CBS 2’s video coverage of Maplewood’s weird and infamous “Gum Wall.”
