Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Maplewood Native SZA Joins Elite Group With NJ Hall Of Fame Induction

And on the Maplewood Patch calendar - A Night of The Mom Coms Standup Comedy in Millburn

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Wednesday September 30th Patch AM
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Hi Maplewood! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Maplewood's own SZA earns New Jersey Hall of Fame honor
  • How South Orange-Maplewood schools are tightening oversight after staffing, busing woes
  • Maplewood teens: want to join a local Dungeons & Dragons party?

Also on today's calendar: A Night of The Mom Coms Standup Comedy in Millburn and 12 more events.

Today's riddle: Why should you never iron a 4-leaf colver? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, with a high of 75 and low of 62 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and humid, temps: high: 77, low: 64.
  • Friday: Very warm with clouds and sun, with a high of 83 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Maplewood Native SZA Joins Elite Group With NJ Hall Of Fame Induction (patch.com) — Maplewood residents can celebrate hometown star SZA, who has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame while proudly crediting her Essex County and Maplewood roots. The Columbia High School alum's record-shattering music career, major awards, and growing business ventures are highlighted, along with her promise to carry Maplewood's strong sense of community into her global work and future charitable efforts.
   

2. Board President: Agency "Pulled the Rug Out" on Paraprofessional Coverage (tapinto.net) — Families in Maplewood's school district are being told that paraprofessional and busing problems at the start of the year stemmed from outsourced contractors failing to deliver promised staff and reliable routes. The South Orange-Maplewood board president says all paraprofessional positions are now filled, but vows tighter oversight as the district faces a looming budget crunch and continues to adjust transportation and lunch schedules.
   

3. Rocket Improv Finds a New Home for Dungeons and Dragons (villagegreennj.com) — Rocket Improv's Saturday Dungeons & Dragons program for ages 10–17 has found a new home in a classroom next to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Maplewood's Hilton neighborhood. With help from the SOMA Chamber, South Mountain YMCA, and other local businesses, the group secured space and still has openings for younger and older teen adventurers.
   

4. With Reversal of Book Bag Ban, South Orange-Maplewood Middle Schoolers Learn Lesson in Advocacy (villagegreennj.com) — Middle schoolers in the South Orange-Maplewood School District successfully pushed back against a new rule that banned backpacks and tote bags between classes, prompting the superintendent to reverse the policy within 10 days. Maplewood Middle and South Orange Middle students organized petitions, shared concerns about accessibility and privacy, and learned how coordinated advocacy can quickly change a district-wide decision.
   

📸 Around Maplewood

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Dollar Tree posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I in Roselle Park. Apply here.
  • JPMorgan Chase posted a job opening for 2027 Global Private Bank Advisor Program (Full-time Analyst) - US Private Bank in Summit. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Maplewood here.

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: You don't want to press your luck! (Thank you Tee E. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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