Monday, May 21, 2012
The sixth grade living museum is a School in Action Night highlight
Sixth graders in Caroline Pew's Social Studies classes brought history to life during School in Action Night on Thursday. The students dressed as figures from history -- whether political, sports or entertainment -- and recited the facts of their lives. This event has become a tradition at SOMS, and a much-loved experience for the students. Check out our photo gallery and feel free to add your own pictures.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Denial of tenure for popular social studies teacher provides civic lessons outside of classroom.
(Updated 8 p.m with Principal's Message) Middle school students demonstrated outside their South Orange school on Friday over the denial of tenure for two popular eighth grade social studies teachers. The civic lessons learned in the classroom resonated among the middle schoolers, who gathered on the front lawn of the school on North Ridgewood Road throughout the day. “It’s important for students to show their voice,” said one of the students, Anya. “That’s what we’re doing.” At times chanting slogans in support of teachers Steven Cohen and Kathleen McCort — "Give them tenure, We won't surrender" — up to 100 students gathered in groups, sharing sunscreen, playing guitar, decorating protest posters, with one boy performing back handsprings …
Thursday's School in Action Night saw displays of academic and artistic work, as well as continued protests.
School in Action Night at South Orange Middle on Thursday night was a display of student academics, artwork, and, for some students, protest. The halls were hung with posters supporting two teachers who were denied tenure. Outside the school, students distributed flyers, as well. Students demonstrated outside the school on Monday, spoke at the Board of Education meeting, and held a cafeteria sit-in on Wednesday. The evening, which will be covered by Patch in a related article, is designed to showcase student works and introduce incoming students and parents to the school community. (See photos and story from the event here).
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Eighth graders protested the non-tenure decision granted to two teachers
South Orange Middle School students staged a cafeteria sit-in on Wednesday. The group of primarily eighth graders chose not to leave the cafeteria after their lunch period to demonstrate their support of two teachers, Steven Cohen and Kathleen McCort, who were denied tenure this year. Both teach eighth grade Social Studies. This is the second protest at SOMS this week. Monday afternoon saw a demonstration outside the school. Throughout the week, signs have been posted on lockers and in hallways of the school. (Photo attached.) Wednesday's protest was peaceful and orderly, according to school officials. Students, along with parents and faculty, also spoke in support of the two teachers at Monday's Board of Education meeting. Speaking last …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Social Studies teachers Steven Cohen and Kathleen McCort were denied tenure
South Orange Middle School students today protested the denial of tenure to two Social Studies teachers, Steven Cohen and Kathleen McCort. About 100 current and former students gathered in front of SOMS chanting and holding signs that read, "Don't Let Go of Cohen," and "Save Ms. McCort." Both teachers were denied tenure this spring by the South Orange - Maplewood Board of Education. Some parents, such as Sam Stoloff, found this decision "shocking." Stoloff, a parent of a current eight grader who has Cohen for Social Studies, said, "He is the best teacher Anya has ever had. He has extremely high expectations for kids, and asks them to engage in material that's challenging." Stoloff added that his daughter "has become engaged, and that's …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Local Keller-Williams agents help beautify middle school grounds
South Orange Middle School (SOMS) benefited from the Keller-Williams’ RED Day Service Project on Thursday. Thanks to Fran Lichtman and the team at Keller-Williams Midtown Direct Realty, the grounds of SOMS have been spruced up considerably. As part of their RED Day service project, Keller-Williams staff members generously donated their time, gardening skills, and all of the materials to add some color and beauty to the SOMS landscape.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Author of Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death: A Holocaust Childhood visited the sixth grade
History came alive, once again, for the SOMS 6th grade students of Caroline Pew and Katerina Karis on the 12th of April. Following the study of the Holocaust and World War II in their social studies and language arts classes, the students were visited by Gerda Bikales, a Holocaust survivor and the author of Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death: A Holocaust Childhood. You could hear a pin drop as Bikales related her riveting tale of survival which involved narrowly escaping capture by the Nazis during the years leading up to World War II in Europe. Her story is one of a child-in-hiding, constantly on the run in Nazi-occupied Europe, living in Germany, Belgium, France, and eventually Switzerland. Bikales was fortunate enough to escape …
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Honor Roll recognition varies from team to team
Report cards are in the mail for secondary school students, and many middle school kids made the honor roll. How their teachers and classmates will mark this achievement depends on which school and team they attend, a practice that South Orange Middle School principal Joseph Uglialoro looks to make more uniform next year. Students attain High Achievement with A- or higher in all courses. Students attain Achievement with B- or higher in all courses, according to district spokeswoman Suzanne Turner. However, celebrating those grades happens in different ways, from the traditional Honor Roll breakfast at SOMS to year-end trips. "Currently, the Honor Roll celebrations/acknowledgements at SOMS are very decentralized, and vary greatly based on …
Monday, April 16, 2012
SOMS hosts the Spring Parent Academy on Tuesday
South Orange Middle School welcomes fifth grade and middle school families from throughout the district to Tuesday's Parent Academy. On April 17, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., parents are invited to participate in workshops. The evening's keynote speaker is Dr. Adam Price, a clinical psychologist in Chatham and a parent of a student in the district. The evening is geared for families of fifth through eighth grade students. Topics include: *My Middle Schooler is Not Achieving His/Her Potential: Helping Teens Become Independent and Engaged Learners. (Keynote) *Fostering Organizational Skills in Adolescents: A Matter of Time, Space, and Material *Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About 9th Grade...But Were Afraid to Ask! *Internet Safety …
Friday, March 23, 2012
Performances are this weekend
Students of South Orange Middle School, the directors, musical director, choreographers, stage and crew are all excited to perform this year’s All-School Musical which is “Phantom of the Country Opera,” based on the book by Sean Grennan and Kathy Santen, Music by Micahel Duff, Lyrics by Cheryl Coons. Phantom of the Country Opera is a hilarious and fun-filled version of the classic horror, Phantom of the Opera, with rousing Country-Western tunes like “Hog Butcher’s Daughter,” and operatic songs to a compelling ‘rise to stardom’ storyline. The main character Christina or “Crissy" Joseph leaves a promising operatic career to return to her native Nashville, Tennessee to sing country tunes at the the Country Palace. The story includes a …
Evangela Faulkner
8:30 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
thank you!! more ›