New PTA Executive Board Role

The Clinton PTA Executive Board is seeking candidates for an exciting and important new role: VP of Equity and Inclusion & ELL.

This position will play a key role in helping the PTA create a community that nurtures all of our kids and their families.

With the full support of the PTA and Clinton leadership, VP of EIE is responsible for helping to ensure that all aspects of PTA-sponsored events, fundraising and communication are aligned to Board values and norms for creating inclusive and equitable opportunities for all families. When appropriate, advocate for diverse and equitable school events and equitable curricular resources to school administration and faculty.

► Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of this position

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, July 31

If you would like to apply, please write a letter expressing your interest to ptapresident@clintonelementary.org. You can include the grade level of your child and any information (professional, personal interest, etc) that may be helpful for the Board to know.

School Supplies

It's easy to get ahead of the rush (and catch the sales!) with our school supply lists by grade. The lists were developed by Clinton teachers and cover the basics needed in each grade. You might receive a list from your child's teacher in the fall with some additional items. (And don't forget about our Amazon Smile link! An easy way to shop and support the Clinton PTA.)

If you pre-ordered in June, kits will ship directly to homes this year. Keep an eye out for your order to arrive just before school starts.

► 2020-2021 School Supply Lists

SUMMER MEALS

Kids eat free! Please help spread the word about Maplewood's Summer Food Service Program! Children 18 & under are eligible.

Breakfast and Lunch Grab 'n Go
When: Monday-Friday, 6/29-8/21, 9am-11am
Where: Maplecrest Park between Essex Rd & Boyden Pkwy

Can you help SOMA Shares?

Seth Boyden Elementary has been one of the district lunch distribution points throughout this entire period of distance learning. The Seth Boyden PTA saw a need and an opportunity to supplement the district program and they have done AMAZING work. Their SOMA Shares initiative has partnered with local businesses and community organizations, the Parenting Center and the Achieve Foundation, our SOMSD PTAs and HSAs, and Cougar Cares to provide books, school and art supplies, toiletries, extra groceries and fresh produce for SOMSD families at both lunch locations. The Clinton PTA is proud to support SOMA Shares with a $500 donation, plus fresh produce harvested from our Clinton Community Garden.

Lunch, along with SOMA Shares' extras, is available every school day at Seth Boyden Elementary and Columbia High School through June 26th, with plans to continue the SOMA Shares program over the summer at Maplecrest Park. It's an incredible program and it could use your help to keep supporting local families:

▪ Can you shop for extra groceries, toiletries, or cleaning supplies when buying for your own family?
▪ Can you donate school supplies with this Amazon Wish List?
▪ Can you shop locally with Words or A Paper Hat? Simply make a note that it's for the Seth Boyden PTA and they will pick up at the store.
▪ Do you have contacts at companies or organizations that might want to donate?
▪ Do you have books in good condition to donate?
▪ Look out for a signup genius to volunteer to help over the summer. This will require a community effort!
▪ Please help spread the word!

All donations must be brought to one of several local drop-off locations. Please DO NOT drop off or have items delivered to any school. Email sbnews@sethboyden.com for the best drop-off location for you.

Donations of any size are welcome, because distribution happens every weekday. Any support you can give is truly appreciated!

Summer Food Support

South Orange & Maplewood School District in partnership with the Township of Maplewood, South Orange Village, the Parenting Center and its partners are providing various options for food support over the summer months. Please see the links below for more information.

► Summer Food Support Programs & Information

► Programa e Información de Apoyo Alimenticio de Verano

► Pwogram Sipò ak Enfòmasyon Pou Manje Pandan Ete

Kindergarten 2020-2021

Hello, new Clinton families!
We know the transition to a new school is a big one. That's truer than ever this year because we don't yet know what the 2020-2021 school year will look like. But we do know we're happy you're joining our amazing Clinton community and we hope to provide all the information you need for a smooth start next September.

A great place to start is right here on our Clinton PTA website. It's simply bursting with info about Clinton School and all the programs and events made possible by the Clinton PTA. Head on over to "Welcome to Kindergarten," where you'll find more info about ordering school supply kits (orders are due June 21st!), getting connected via email and social media, our Summer Reading Book Fair, and so much more. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please email us at clintonpta@clintonelementary.org. We're happy to help! Welcome to our Clinton family! #clintonstrong

► Welcome to Kindergarten at Clinton School

Summer Book Fair | through 9/4

Get ready for summer reading with our SUMMER BOOK FAIR!

Here’s how it works:

Shop ALL SUMMER LONG using our Clinton School Book Fair link at Scholastic
All orders placed via the link by September 4^th earn Scholastic Rewards that will support Clinton’s school and classroom libraries
Orders are delivered right to your doorstep and you can take advantage of FREE shipping on book-only purchases over $25
Need some ideas? Check out these summer reading book recommendations from Jennifer Latimer, our amazing Clinton librarian!

► Mrs Latimer's Book Recs
► Shop Clinton School's Summer Book Fair

Questions? Please email the Book Fair Team.

Summer Reading

2020 SOMSD Summer Reading Lists
These lists of summer reading suggestions were compiled by your librarians from the South Orange and Maplewood Schools and the public libraries, and are available online through the SOMSD website and the public library sites.

► Grades K-2

► Grades 3-5

► All Grades

Physical copies of these books will be available soon at the public libraries & your local bookstores. Many titles from the lists are available as eBooks and/or eAudiobooks and can be accessed by clicking on the links below each book with your town’s library card. The online collections will continue to expand over the summer, so please check back often.

► Maplewood Library
► South Orange Public Library

eBook and eAudiobook Collection
Hundreds of eBooks and eAudiobooks are now available for all SOMSD students through MackinVIA. (Mrs Latimer has also added summer reading books to a list on the home page.) Books can be read on the website, or downloaded using the free MackinVIA app on a phone or tablet. Questions? Please reach out to Mrs Latimer.

► SOMSD's MackinVIA Website
► More info about MackinVIA

We Stand Together

The Clinton PTA stands in solidarity with Black families impacted by ongoing police brutality and racism on all fronts. We are committed to doing the work necessary to ensure that the lives of our children of color and their families are valued.

We understand that combating racism and white supremacy is multifaceted and complex, and we encourage all families to start by introducing discussions with your children about race.

► Resources to explore as you consider speaking with your child and additional community support

SOMA SHARES

SOMA Shares: Lunch, books, groceries, toiletries, school and art supplies!

Lunch is still available to all district students and their siblings every weekday from 11am to 1pm at Seth Boyden Elementary School and Columbia High School. Your child does not need to be present and you can pick up from either location (and for neighbors/friends who can't go in person). In addition to lunch cooked locally, extra resources are now available to all district students and their families during lunch distribution.

The district is providing fresh produce, and there are delicious donations from Liv Breads, Artisan Bakery and Coffee Bar and Vista Hermosa Products tortillas. On Wednesdays you can also enjoy a bag with fresh harvest from the Seth Boyden Garden, Seth Boyden Shares and Rent Party. Weekday lunch and SOMA Shares extras will be available at both locations until the last day of school ... stay tuned for the SOMA Shares program to continue this summer at Maplecrest Park!

The district PTAs, HSAs, Cougar Cares, local families, Words Maplewood's Bookstore and Alomo Books, now in partnership with the Parenting Center of South Orange Maplewood School District and the Achieve Foundation of South Orange and Maplewood, are providing books and school/art supplies for all kids, to make remote schooling as productive and enriching as possible. There are also additional grocery items and toiletries available, thanks to SOMA Kids Feed Kids' awesome collection efforts!

Questions? Please email Karen Weiland about the SOMSD lunch program or SOMA Shares about the additional resources.