Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How will SOMA’s new school budget savings affect Maplewood families?
Coming up on the Maplewood Patch calendar: Concord Singers Winter Concert: I Rise
Good morning Maplewood! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How will SOMA’s new school budget savings affect Maplewood families?
- Why Columbia High’s Chinese program just earned national recognition.
Also on today's calendar: Concord Singers Winter Concert: I Rise.
Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Becoming windier; a.m. rain, with a high of 49 and low of 26 degrees.
- Tuesday: Very windy; colder, temps: high: 30, low: 26.
- Wednesday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 33 and low of 22 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• South Orange-Maplewood BOE Unveils Budget with $1M Savings (tapinto.net) — South Orange-Maplewood school officials have unveiled a new budget plan aimed at long-term financial sustainability, including $1 million in health insurance savings and $2 million in salary savings. Residents also raised concerns during public comment, including staff transfers and an antisemitic incident at Maplewood Middle School, while officials noted ongoing work like drainage testing for the Ritzer Field project. 
• Columbia High School Chinese Language Program Earns Recognition (villagegreennj.com) — Maplewood and South Orange families can celebrate Columbia High School’s Chinese program earning national recognition as an Outstanding Chinese Program. The district’s 6–12 pathway now serves more than 600 students, offering cultural events, exchanges with Taiwan, and award-winning instruction that has drawn attention from CBS News and national language organizations.
📸 Around Maplewood
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Maplewood
- Concord Singers Winter Concert: I Rise
Calvary Episcopal Church , 31 Woodland Ave , Summit
4:00 pm
Saturday January 10
📣 Maplewood Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Parkinson’s Strength
JCC MetroWest , 760 Northfield Ave , West Orange
1:15 pm - Camuso Holiday Display
Memorial Oval & Park , Robert H. Harp Drive , Livingston
5:00 pm - Bulky Item Pickup for Tues/Fri Garbage
Livingston Township, NJ Calendar Livingston, NJ 07039 - SHOULDA 7:00
Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford - Special Township Council Meeting
West Orange, NJ Calendar , 66 Main Street, Council Chambers , West Orange
12:00 pm - South Essex Fire Department Meeting
South Orange Village, NJ Calendar , 574 Valley Street , Maplewood
3:00 pm - Charter Study Commission
Millburn Township, NJ Calendar
7:00 pm - NEW YEARS EVE
Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford - Bulky Item Pickup for Wed/Sat Garbage
Livingston Township, NJ Calendar Livingston, NJ 07039 - Senior Bus goes to Whole Foods/Target
Millburn Township, NJ Calendar Millburn, NJ 07041
10:00 am - Early Closing
Springfield Public Library Springfield, NJ 07081
2:00 pm
Monday December 29
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Maplewood PatchAM possible:
- Avellino Custom Masonry — (908) 879-8699
Family owned business in business for over 30 years. - Dogtopia of West Orange — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Orange Mattress — (732) 428-4125
Call or Stop by for Daily Deals - HZY GOODS — (973) 200-3030
HZY Goods Dispensary in East Orange Now Open!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- We Are Hiring Now
Hiring Teacher for our Preschool Aftercare Program. The Curious Children Child Care Center, housed at the South Orange-Vailsburg United Methodist... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Bonnie and Kelly and Tandem Group are really the best real estate group we have ever encountered or heard of.
Bonnie held our hand through out a whole, lengthy process, always with a smile and a good word. We learnt from them, we leaned on them and we were… (Nextdoor Maplewood)
- Playa Bowls posted a job opening for Team Member in South Orange. Apply here.
- Irvington Public Schools posted a job opening for First Grade Teacher in Irvington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Maplewood here.
🗞 Nearby News
South Orange
- ICYMI: Sheena Collum Inducted into NJ Mayors Hall of Fame (villagegreennj.com)
- Advantages of staying in New Jersey for college (mycentraljersey.com)
Irvington
- Free Autism Screenings for Children Under 5 Offered in Essex County (wdhafm.com)
- Maplewood Police Blotter: Man Arrested in Connection With 3 Residential Burglary Incidents (villagegreennj.com)
East Orange
Ok Maplewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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