Friends,
First, a sincere thank you for having taken the time to register your support for the children of the South Orange-Maplewood School District. That so many SOMSD parents, guardians, students and concerned citizens have signed the petition signals that there is a deep wellspring of community discontent with SOMSD's approach during the current crisis. The series of articles in local press and the statements of those BOE members who are willing to go on record make it clear that we are being heard.
Being heard, unfortunately, is not enough. SOMSD needs to institute a clear and comprehensive remote education plan that fulfills the New Jersey Department of Education’s mandate that schools, “maximize student growth and learning to the greatest extent possible,” by means of, “high quality, standards-based instruction.” Despite public acknowledgment by SOMSD’s administration that it needs to do better, the District has thus far failed to respond to our pleas to discuss the matter at hand and reach a sensible resolution.
Adding insult to injury, this morning, SOMSD distributed an offer to provide math advancement classes to interested students this summer, featuring, "live teaching and teacher office hours." (A copy of the offer is posted here.) The catch: these classes will only be available to those who pay a fee of $350 or those who are lucky enough to be granted a scholarship. In short, SOMSD appears willing to sell that which it is unwilling to otherwise recommend its teachers provide.
As you may be aware, we are fortunate to have been joined in our efforts by Lowenstein Sandler, a premier national law firm with deep roots in our community. Lowenstein has graciously agreed to represent us pro bono in this matter, sharing our conviction that this is a matter of vital public interest in which both the facts and law are clearly in the community’s favor. We sincerely hope that with Lowenstein's help, we can bring this matter to a prompt, appropriate resolution that brings SOMSD into legal compliance and provides its students with the education they deserve.
Again, thanks to all of you for supporting this effort and speaking with such a loud and unified voice.
Best,
S.O.S.