Welcome to the South Orange Weekly Digest!

The South Orange Weekly Digest gives you all the information you need to stay connected to your community, right here at your fingertips. Below you'll find updates about all the important and fun events happening this week in South Orange.

We are excited to announce that the South Orange Maplewood School District is now officially accepting applications for our 2026-2027 Preschool Program lottery.

Because you are a trusted voice in our community, we are asking for your help in sharing this information widely with your stakeholders. A high-quality preschool program provides a vital foundation for our youngest learners, and we want to ensure every eligible family has the opportunity to participate in this selection process.

We have attached a digital flyer to this email; please feel free to post this on your social media, include it in your newsletters, or display it in your organization.

Key Information for Families

Families interested in the district’s preschool program must begin by completing a simple online lottery  entry form.

• Application Period: Friday, January 23, 2026 – Friday, March 13, 2026

• Link to Share: Preschool Lottery Now Open

Important Deadline: The form must be completed by March 13, 2026. .

Selection & Notification Process

Once the application period closes, the district will conduct the formal lottery. Families will be notified in the spring regarding their status:

• Selected Students: Families will receive a formal offer for a preschool placement.

• Waitlist: Families not selected during the initial lottery will be automatically placed on our district waitlist for future openings.

Registration for Selected Families

Families selected through the lottery will have approximately four weeks to submit required registration paperwork. Timely completion of this process is essential as it allows the district to properly prepare to welcome our new students this coming fall.

Please join the Tuxedo Park Diversity and Inclusion Committee for a community screening of FREE JOAN LITTLE on Wednesday, March 18th at 14 S. Stanley Road.

The documentary tells the story of Joan Little, the first woman in U.S. history to be acquitted for using deadly force to resist sexual assault, in her landmark 1975 trial. Filmmaker Director Yoruba Richen, a former journalist and faculty member of CUNY J-school, will be present for a Q&A after the film.

To secure a spot, please register here. The Committee asks for a small contribution (suggested $5 - 25) to cover Professor Richen’s honorarium, which you can make at the registration link. https://txpscreening.rsvpify.com/. Feel free to reach out to tuxedoparkdiversity@gmail.com.

NJ TRANSIT's Language Survey

NJ TRANSIT is conducting a Language Survey to better understand the needs of our customers who may not speak and/or read English well. The survey will ask our customers what they think of NJ TRANSIT’s tools for providing language assistance and how those tools can be improved and refined.

For customers who speak a language not offered, please let them know they can call (973) 491-8031, leave a message and I will reach out to help them complete the survey using a live language interpreter in their preferred language. https://www.njtransit.com/language

ATTEND A VILLAGE MEETING

Want to get more involved in your community? Attend a meeting. You will get a first-hand look at all the ins and outs of our town, and it is a great way to participate and make a difference. Please note that meetings are subject to change with short notice. Refer to our events calendar (select ALL calendars) for up-to-date information.

• South Orange Village Council Meeting on Monday, March 9th at 6:15 PM
• Planning & Economic Development Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 11th at 8:30 AM

Village Council Hot Topics

The ordinances below will be on for 2nd reading/adoption at the Village Council Meeting on March 9, 2026

• 2026-04 Ordinance of South Orange Village amending and restating Chapter 68 “animals” to provide for the keeping of backyard chickens; amending Chapter 143 “fees” by amending section 4- animals for the licensing of backyard chickens within South Orange Village.
• 2026-05 Ordinance of South Orange Village amending and restating Chapter 375 “sanitary standards” to add requirement for the licensing and inspection of child-care  centers and amending Chapter 143 “fees,” section 38 - sanitary standards to add fee for inspection and licensing of child-care centers
• 2026-06 Ordinance of South Orange Village amending and restating Chapter 375 “sanitary standards” to add requirement for the licensing of massage and bodywork therapy facilities; and amending Chapter 143 “fees” by section 38- sanitary standards to add fee for inspection and licensing of massage and bodywork therapy facilities
• 2026-07 An ordinance of South Orange Village in Essex County, New Jersey amending and restating village code chapter 185 to revise impervious coverage standards
• 2026-08 An ordinance of South Orange Village in Essex County, New Jersey amending and restating village code chapter 185 by the addition of article xxxiii to establish the Valley Street affordable housing overlay zone district
• 2026-09 An ordinance of South Orange Village in Essex County, New Jersey amending and restating village code chapter 185, part 15 - affordable housing in its entirety to address the requirements of the fair housing act and uniform housing affordability controls (UHAC) and to comply with the village's round four affordable housing obligations

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