If you have the Somerville Public Schools would be grateful for a letter of endorsement from you to include with our application to become an approved Supplemental Education Services provider with the Commonwealth. If we are successful in this application the district could potentially recoup up to $100,000 in elementary academic tutoring funds now distributed to outside vendors. We would use these funds to support intensive support services for students who need or want extra help after-school.

If you have had a positive experience with academic remediation services provided by the SPS, we would be grateful if you could prepare a letter of support by Thursday, May 21st to include in this application. Letters should be addressed to
Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi
Somerville Public Schools
181 Washington Street
Somerville, MA 02143.

Please consider including the following points in your one-page letter:
• What school are you most closely affiliated with?
• What is your experience with the academic support program at this school – are you a parent/guardian of a student in one of our programs? A teacher? A student?
• Why do you think the quality of service in our academic support programs is high?
• What are the positive benefits you’ve seen for students as a result of their participation in our academic support programs?
• What do you think the SPS ois qualified to be an SES provider for the Commonwealth?

If you would prefer, I’d be very happy to arrange a 15 minute phone call to interview you and write a draft letter on your behalf based on this interview. I would send the draft letter to you for your approval before it would “go to print.” Please let me know ASAP if you’d prefer to write a letter in tandem with my office so I can budget the time sooner rather than later.

When you have signed your completed letter, please send it to my attention at SPS Central so it arrives by 5/21 that would be great. You can mail it to me at the address above, fax it to 617-666-1130, or call me to have it picked up by our courier.

Thank you for even considering this request. I am grateful for your time, attention and support of our students.

Warmly,
-gk-
Gretchen Kinder
Coordinator of R&D, Public Information and Grants
Somerville Public Schools
617-625-6600 x6013
gkinder(at)k12.somerville.ma.us