South Orange Maplewood Education Association

SOMA Teacher Gets Shout Out From Gov. Murphy

 

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Jake Ezzo, choir director for South Orange Middle School, was lauded today by Gov. Phil Murphy in his daily press briefing. Murphy held up Ezzo as an example of a New Jerseyan making a difference for others during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ezzo is a coordinator of the group NJ 3D Printers Alliance, which combines the efforts of local folks who own 3D printers in the creation and distribution of face shields for medical staff and first responders. He posted in the group this morning, “19,113 delivered as of this am! I think we will hit 20,000 this weekend!”

The Maplewood resident said he got the governor’s attention when he posted a photo on Twitter about what the group was doing, and the @NJGov account messaged him.

Sign Up for SOMA Newsletter

Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.

“Although I’m happy to be acknowledged, I’m happier that the entire [group] was acknowledged,” said Ezzo. “It’s not a singular effort, and the incredible team of NJ printers we are working with has made small goals of 50 and taken the group to where we are. We wouldn’t be anywhere without them. I’m thankful for my town, my community, and my state!”

Murphy also thanked Ezzo on social media with the hashtag #NJThanksYou.

Read More: Go Fund Me For S.O. Resident’s Funeral Expenses

Read More: South Orange May 7 Coronavirus Update

Read More: SOMDS School Budget Passes

Read More: Maplewood 2020 Budget Passes

TAPinto SOMA is an online newspaper serving the Townships of Maplewood and South Orange Village.

TAPinto SOMA is accredited by the New Jersey Press Association, and is a locally owned news organization serving the community.

Sign up for our FREE daily eNews and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Got a news tip or opinion? Email us at acovel@tapinto.net.

With Appreciation

Hello, SOMEA Members!
 
First and foremost, we hope that you and your families are well during this difficult and unprecedented time!
 
We are reaching out to express our heart-felt appreciation, gratitude, and to say a great, big “Thank You!” to all of our hard-working and dedicated teachers throughout the South Orange-Maplewood Education Association.
 
The work of our P/K-12 Teachers in SOMEA is critical, especially now. You play such an important role in shaping the minds, hearts, and lives, both academically and personally, of our 7,000+ young people in South Orange and Maplewood!
 
Your work is appreciated. YOU are appreciated! We wish you a great Teacher Appreciation Week and send you all virtual, socially distant hugs!
 
Enjoy the week, practice self care, be safe, and stay well!
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 
Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications

Updates from the Governor’s Office

Governor Murphy officially closes school buildings for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. You can view today’s and previous press conferences from the Office of the Governor’s YouTube channel.
Other updates include information on executive orders, reopening and recovery, essential services clarification, property taxes, renter’s assistance, state budget, expansion of the Family Leave Act, assistance programs, Spanish language support, and ways to stay involved. A summary is included below. More information can be accessed by clicking the grey buttons.
Recent Executive Orders signed by Governor Murphy
 
  • Executive Order 123 Extending Insurance Premium Grace Periods. During which certain insurance companies, including health insurers, life insurers, and property and casualty insurers, will not be able to cancel policies for nonpayment of premiums. Extends minimum grace periods: A minimum 60-day grace period will be required for health and dental insurance policies, and a minimum 90-day grace period will be required for life insurance, insurance premium-financing arrangements, and property and casualty insurance, which includes auto, homeowners, and renters insurance. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visitinghttps://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-123.pdf
  • Executive Order 124 to Establish a Process to Grant Temporary Reprieve to Certain At-Risk Inmates. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visiting https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-124.pdf
  • Executive Order 125 to Implement Additional Mitigation Requirements on NJ TRANSIT, Private Carriers, and Restaurants to Limit the Spread of COVID-19. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visiting https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-125.pdf
  • Executive Order 126 Prohibiting Cable and Telecommunications Providers from Terminating Internet and Voice Service. Cable and telecommunications providers are prohibited from terminating Internet and voice service due to nonpayment until 30 days after the current public health emergency has ended. The order also mandates that all service downgrades, service reductions, or late fees due to nonpayment are prohibited unless they are imposed in accordance with a policy approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Additionally, any Internet or voice service that was disconnected after March 16 due to nonpayment must be reconnected. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visiting https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-126.pdf
  • Executive Order 127 Extending Certain Deadlines Associated with Rulemaking. Extending various deadlines associated with rulemaking for state agencies until 90 days following the end of the public health emergency. The order additionally allows for any rules or emergency rules that would expire during the current public health emergency to be extended until 90 days following the end of the public health emergency. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visitinghttps://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-127.pdf
 
Preparing for the Future
 
  • Recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, along with leadership of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have formed a multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work. This announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. The coordinating group – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective Chief of Staff from each state — will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states’ stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus. A copy of the press release can be found by visitinghttps://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200413e.shtml
  • Social separation is key as we continue to fight the pandemic. As such, all New Jersey Schools; both PUBLIC and PRIVATE will remain closed until May 15th. The staff at NJ Department of Education will continue to monitor the situation as they take into account data & science before more insight can be provided as to when schools can re-open.
 
Frontline Healthcare Actions
 
  • Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation (S2374), which expands protections of the Family Leave Act to allow employees forced to take time off to care for a family member during the COVID-19 outbreak with up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave in a 24-month period without losing their jobs. Under the bill, employees will be eligible for leave to care for a family member as a result of an epidemic of a communicable disease, or efforts to prevent spread of a communicable disease. These job protections will extend to employees requiring leave to provide care or treatment for their child if the child’s school or place of care is closed in response to a public health emergency.
 
Assistance Programs
 
  • Self-Employed NJ Workers: Unemployment Benefits During the Coronavirus Emergency – Assistance is available to self-employed workers, independent contractors, gig and platform workers who are impacted by COVID-19 through Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and possibly the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). We have prepared two downloadable guides to help you understand what benefits are available and how to apply for them. If you are a self-employed worker, independent contractor, gig and platform worker please read them both before applying for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Please view the downloadable PDFs at the following link https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/independentcontractors.shtml
  • Governor Murphy and Superintendent Callahan Announce FEMA Approval for Non-Congregate Sheltering in Response to COVID-19. Governor Phil Murphy and Superintendent of the State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved New Jersey’s request to use emergency, non-congregate sheltering for individuals impacted by COVID-19 that do not have the means or ability to isolate themselves. More information can be found at the following link https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200411a.shtml
 
WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
 

Trivia Night

SOMEA is partnering with ACHIEVE’s Night of 100 Dinners. SOMEA will be hosting a Trivia Night at The Woodlawn on Thursday, March 26 at 6pm. Trivia teams can be up to 10 people, and we are hoping to have AT LEAST 1 team from every school. Click here to register your team!
 
We are suggesting a $10 per person donation to ACHIEVE to enter the event. There will also be a Southern BBQ style dinner. Please see the flyer below for details.

 

SOMEA calendar is available

The March 2020 SOMEA calendar is available in our website.  It includes information about SOMEA, ECEA, and NJEA meetings, events, and professional development opportunities.  Please take two copies – one for yourself and one to post in your buildings on your SOMEA designated bulletin board.