Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How did Columbia High School really rank this year?

And check out Outdoor Yoga Experience on the South Orange Patch calendar

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Good morning South Orange! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did Columbia High School really rank this year?
  • Which South Orange recreation programs will cost more starting in 2027?
  • How South Orange shaped Dionne Warwick's farewell chapter

Also on today's calendar: Outdoor Yoga Experience and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 86 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Brief showers; not as warm, temps: high: 77, low: 62.
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy and warmer, with a high of 83 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. U.S. News & World Report Announces its Annual Ranking of High Schools in the U.S. (tapinto.net) — Columbia High School, serving South Orange and Maplewood, has been ranked 72nd in New Jersey and 1,286th nationally by U.S. News & World Report, with a strong 71% AP participation rate. The report breaks down CHS's performance on college readiness, test proficiency, and graduation, showing how local students stack up against 17,945 schools nationwide and 415 across New Jersey. It also notes demographics, including that 18% of students are economically disadvantaged.
   

2. South Orange approves recreation fee increases for some programs (tapinto.net) — South Orange has approved an ordinance that will raise fees for several recreation programs starting in 2027, while keeping membership fees flat. Baseball, soccer, swim team, summer camp, basketball, and flag football will see modest increases tied to higher wages, facility charges, and inflation, and new fees are being formalized for cheer, lacrosse, and volleyball.
   

3. Dionne Warwick on Her Final Album and Farewell Tour, the Magic of New Jersey, and Why She's Always Been 'Straight-Up' (njmonthly.com) — Legendary singer and longtime South Orange resident Dionne Warwick is preparing to release her final album of duets and embark on a farewell tour, while planning to spend more time at home in New Jersey. In a candid interview, she reflects on how growing up in East Orange and living in South Orange shaped her, from favorite local bagels to the pride she feels in her community honors. She also hints at expanding her interior design work once the music promotion winds down.
   

4. New Jersey Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Laws: Affordable Housing Tools for the Nation's Densest State - New Jersey State Policy Lab (rutgers.edu) — South Orange is highlighted as one of the New Jersey towns already allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), putting the village ahead of the curve as the state moves toward a uniform ADU law. A pending statewide bill, A2792, would require all municipalities to permit ADUs by right in single- and two-family zones, limiting how strictly local governments and HOAs can restrict them. That could eventually expand small-scale housing options for South Orange homeowners and renters alike.
   

📸 Around South Orange

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🗓 Upcoming Events in South Orange

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 South Orange Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making South Orange PatchAM possible:

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Hiring Part-time Teacher for Preschool Aftercare Program
    Hiring Part-time Teacher for Preschool Aftercare Program... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Newark Board of Education posted a job opening for Custodian Night School Year 2026-27 (NBOE) in Newark. Apply here.
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member in Bloomfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Orange here.

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: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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