Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a new grant could change phone use in SOMA schools

Also check out Office Furniture & Soft Seating Warehouse Furniture Liquidation Sale on the South Orange Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Saturday December 20th Patch AM
Saturday December 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings South Orange! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a new grant could change phone use in SOMA schools
  • How a South Orange Pirate became BIG EAST’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year

Also on today's calendar: Office Furniture & Soft Seating Warehouse Furniture Liquidation Sale and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in South Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in South Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Colder; breezy in the morning, with a high of 39 and low of 31 degrees.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and windy, temps: high: 44, low: 26.
  • Monday: Sunshine, with a high of 39 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• South Orange and Maplewood Public Schools Awarded State Grant for Phone-Free Schools Program (tapinto.net) — South Orange and Maplewood public schools just secured a $28,257 state grant to support a new “phone-free” school day for students in grades 6–12. The money will help pay for secure storage systems and staff training so phones stay put from first bell to dismissal, as New Jersey expands its Phone-Free Schools program.
   

• Svenson Tabbed Preseason Pitcher of the Year, Downing Earns First Team in BIG EAST Coaches' Poll - Seton Hall University Athletics (shupirates.com) — Seton Hall pitcher Steven Svenson, who broke out during his freshman season in South Orange, has been named the BIG EAST’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year. He and fellow Pirate John Downing both earned preseason conference honors, setting high expectations for the South Orange-based program as it opens the 2026 campaign at the Puerto Rico Challenge in February.
   

📸 Around South Orange

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 South Orange

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 South Orange 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

    Saturday December 20
  • West Orange Animal Welfare League Pet Adoption
    West Orange, NJ Calendar , 311 Watchung Avenue , West Orange
    11:00 am
  • "Hamilton: The Musical" Screening - Rev250
    Glen Ridge Free Public Library Glen Ridge - Meeting Room,
    1:00 pm
  • Curate Your Kwanzaa Experience!
    New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) , 1 Center St , Newark
    1:00 pm
  • Learn English
    West Orange Public Library West Orange - Literacy Room
    3:00 pm

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 South Orange PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Available Caregiver (Private Only)
    License HHA Caregiver  for Weekends .Are you looking for a dedicated, compassionate,joyful Caregiver for your  loved ones. I  am responsible, clean... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • All clear after report of unattended package at Newark Penn Station, New Jersey.
    7:21AM on Dec 19: Report of unattended package at Newark Penn Station, New Jersey. 7:17AM on Dec 19: NWK-WTC service is delayed due to crew… (Nextdoor )
  • Reports of suspicious package at Newark Penn Station, New Jersey.
    9:24AM on Dec 18: PATH Train reports NWK-WTC delay due to crew finding an unattended package at NWK. (Nextdoor )
  • Domino's Pizza, Inc. posted a job opening for Food Handler/Pizza Maker in South Orange. Apply here.
  • Irvington Public Schools posted a job opening for Elementary ESL Teacher (K-5) in Irvington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Orange here.

🗞 Nearby News

Maplewood

  • Maplewood Nets $700K Grant To Restore Local Landmark (patch.com)
  • 12 Nonprofits In SOMA Earn Grants From Maplewood Foundation (patch.com)
  • South Orange-Maplewood Girl Scouts Design A Very Beary Holiday Season (villagegreennj.com)

Irvington

  • Irvington HS track team begins indoor season in golden fashion at Jambar Coaches invitational (essexnewsdaily.com)

West Orange

Ok South Orange! 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: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from South Orange