Schools and Youth

Free Parent/ Guardian Workshop offered by the Somerville Public Schools on Bullying in Schools Today

Monday, May 24th- 6:30-8:30pm, at the John F. Kennedy School
5 Cherry Street
Learn about school interventions to create safe schools, and strategies parents/ guardians can use to help their children feel safe…

Free Parent/ Guardian Workshop offered by the Somerville Public Schools on Bullying in Schools Today

Monday, April 26th- 6:30-8:30 pm at the Capuano Early Childhood Center
150 Glen street
Featuring a screening of the documentary film “Let’s Get Real” about how students in middle school experience bullying from all sides…

Free Parent/ Guardian Workshop offered by the Somerville Public Schools on Bullying and Cyberbullying

Wednesday, March 10th- 6:30-8:30 Pm at the West Somerville Neighborhood School
177 Powderhouse Boulevard
Featuring experts from Middlesex Partnerships for Youth…

It was a quintessential Somerville night at the theater for “Beauty And The Beast” at the High School this evening.  Promoters Gretchen Kinder and Rosemarie Sears must have outdone themselves packing the house because I had to make my way to the balcony to find a seat.   I saw neighbors, friends, teachers, school committee members…

The District is trying to improve the efficiency of our online calendars. In order to do this we need to make improvements to the calendar filters used online. …

A friend told me about this tv news story on Shape Up Somerville. The intro is annoying but the story is interesting.

So here’s a question for Somerville parents and kids: Is broccoli king of the cafeteria?…

Somerville Childrens Network
3rd Casino Night

Read More.>>

School Improvement Councils at each of the Somerville public schools will present their annual School Improvement Plans to the School Committee beginning on January 27, 2010. Members of the public are invited to attend these presentations hosted at the District’s Central Offices (181 Washington Street) to learn more about the progress each school is making…

“I don’t really know that much about myself. Isn’t that sort of the point of being a teenager? (At Somerville High School) you get to explore different things through AP classes, vocational classes and every extracurricular and elective class you can imagine. With these opportunities you start to figure out who you are.” – Yolanda…

Right here in Somerville you can learn to paint with watercolors, improve the efficiency of your home energy systems, make handcrafted furniture, and enhance your ability to speak Spanish or Portuguese with your neighbors. These are only some of the courses available through Adult Evening School. Most courses meet weekly for 10 weeks and cost…

The Brown School (201 Willow Ave.) will have an informational coffee on Monday, January 25th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. upstairs in the Brown School Library.  Teachers, staff, current parents and former students will be available to answer questions…

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Visioning Meeting

Tues., Jan. 26, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the last Visioning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will finish the vision statement.

The goal of…

Why Commissions Can Improve Our Community

Sat. Jan. 30 1:30 PM

Somerville Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is a workshop from the “How to” Series for Civic Engagement by the Office of Somerville Commissions. It discusses how commissions, such as the Human Rights Commission…

Thinking about which school is right for your child? Or just interested in learning more about Somerville’s public schools?…

OneVille.org just launched today with a message that begins:
We’re writing to introduce a new community project in Somerville called OneVille. OneVille is working to unite people in our vibrant, diverse city around one goal: pursuing the success of every young person in Somerville.…

The Somerville Community Partnerships for Children and the Parent Information Center have put together a list of agencies that work in Haiti, as well as advice on responding to the needs of children and families affected by the devastation of the earthquake, that Superintendent Pierantozzi has disseminated to Somerville Public School employees.  I’m forwarding them…

The sixth annual Massachusetts College Goal Sunday will provide information on college financial aid and free on-site help to complete the FAFSA. At 26 locations across Massachusetts, College Goal Sunday’s team of volunteer financial aid and higher education experts will offer information on the many viable post-high school options. Locations are listed at www.MassCollegeGoalSunday.org.

My wife saw this message on the Somerville Moms Yahoo list.

Barry

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Information Night for the Choice Program will be held next Thursday, January 21, at the Healey School (5 Meacham Street.)

The meeting will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Teachers, students and parents will offer their perspectives…

My wife saw this on the Somerville Moms group:

Barry

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Learn about the Argenziano School from other Parents!

As you explore your options for public schools in Somerville, make sure you check out the Argenziano School at Lincoln Park. I looked extensively at schools for my daughter last year and…

Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) is going to be hosting a Presentation of the Student Health Survey Results.  It will be held Thursday January 21st, 2010 from 6PM – 8PM.  The Presentation will be held in the Auditorium at Somerville High School.

There will be refreshments provided before hand and a door prize will…

This was posted to the Somerville-4-Schools list on Monday by Consuelo Perez:

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Would you like a weekly Drop-in Playgroup for your child, aged 0-3?

Come to the next Somerville Family Network Parents Advisory Council meeting and talk about how we can provide one and best serve the needs of…

2010-2011 School Calendar: It’s official! September 8, 2010 is the first day of school for students after the 2010 summer vacation. Download the 2010-2011 school calendar online at http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/calendar. The calendar is available online in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole. All dates have also been added to the online, searchable calendar at http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/events.NEws…

OFFERED BY THE SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SOMERVILLE PTA
For
SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILIES and COMMUNITY MEMBERS

• Youth Alcohol and Drug Use/Social Host Liability*
Wednesday, January 13th – 6:30p.m. – 8:00 PM in the Healey School Cafetorium, 5 Meacham Street
Featuring experts from Middlesex Partnerships for Youth
• Grant Writing 101
Thursday, February 11th-…

SOMERVILLE WINS AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP ON SCHOOL SAFETY: Martin T. Meehan Educational Leadership Award presented to Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi on 12/10/09. A copy of the press release is available in the News Section of our website, www.somerville.k12.ma.us/news. …

PLEASE JOIN students and families from the John F. Kennedy School in visiting the Porter Square Pizzeria Uno on Wednesday, December 16th to help students raise $5,000 to build a library at their Ethiopian Sister School, the Gordama School, and fill it with books.…

SCAT is hosting Santa Claus in the TV studio on Tuesday, December 15 from 6:00 to 7:00pm. This event is free. Children may come up to tell Santa what they want for Christmas in person, or watching the live TV show from home on Channel 3, they may call in to him at 617-628-9876. The…

Pittsburgh floats a sales tax on college tuition!

We are writing to ask you to support the February 2010 Somerville High School production of Beauty and the Beast by purchasing an ad in the program book. You can find details on the range of sponsorship costs and benefits, and information about how to become an ad book sponsor online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/musical

NEWS STORY:
• The Christmas trees are coming! The Christmas trees are coming! Students at Somerville’s Full Circle/Next Wave Alternative School are gearing up for their annual Christmas tree and wreath fundraiser. 300 Nova Scotia Balsam Firs get dropped off at the Foss Park tree lot on Tuesday, December 1st. Students will work with their…

Kicking off on Wednesday, December 9 from 3:30-5:30, SCAT’s Next Generation Producers After-School Film Production Club offers students the opportunity to create their own video projects, learn state-of-the-art television production skills, and work alongside other youth with similar interests. The teens will receive one-on-one attention from SCAT staff as they create the film and video…

Dear Friends,

Please join us for an informal gathering for parents and guardians interested in discussing the kindergarten and early-childhood opportunities available in the Somerville Public Schools. We will be meeting next Saturday, November 21, from 3:00-5:00 pm at Bread & Company at 349 Broadway (located near the top of Winter Hill).…

Students in Somerville High School’s Culinary Arts program have baked for Governor Patrick. Now let them bake for you! The annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale has started. For only $9 per pie students will prepare a beautiful and delicious pie in one of eight varieties. Order forms, which can be downloaded at http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/cafe must be…

Celebrating the spirit of winter and winter holidays are the themes of the winter concerts in the Somerville Public Schools. Elementary students will perform on Thursday, December 10th, and high school musicians and singers will take the stage on Thursday December 17th. Both FREE concerts featuring student singers, musicians and other performers start at 7:00…

More than 40 actors, musicians and technicians from Somerville High School will stage Disney’s Beauty and the Beast February 4-6, 2010 in the auditorium of Somerville High School (81 Highland Avenue). Show times are:
Thursday, February 4 at 7:00 PM
Friday, February 5 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 6 at 2:00 PM.
Ticket prices are…

I encourage community members to learn about Somerville High School’s Center for Career and Technical Education during the 12th Annual Vocational Fair… [Sat, Nov 7, 9am-2pm] where students from the various vocational shops demonstrate their expertise. This year’s event will include a pancake breakfast and several interactive displays.

The city elections are Nov. 3.

Here are the three SCAT-sponsored televised debates of the School Committee and Ward Alderman races.…

Each year, this event attracts over three thousand visitors.  All proceeds benefit the girls’ and boys’ cross-country and track teams at SHS, including the awarding of college scholarships each June.

This is the eighteenth year that the TrackPAC will sponsor this event.  We are very proud that it has become a Thanksgiving weekend destination…

State Representative Carl Sciortino and Ward 7 School Committee Representative Mary Jo Rossetti will be hosting a film screening and discussion about the impact of MCAS and high stakes testing on Tuesday, October 13 at the Somerville Library. The press release and details are included here. I hope many readers of Somerville Voices can view…

While this meeting will be of particular interest to parents and guardians of 6-8 graders, we invite anyone interested in learning more about what our High School has to offer. Headmaster Mr. Anthony Cicciarello will facilitate the discussion.

Join the Family Fun Day at the Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park this Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Everyone is invited for this community celebration of the school. Bring the kids for games, face painting, bubble bounce and more!…

Did you know instrument lessons for youth in grades 4-12 (strings) and 5-12 (band instruments including drums) are free in the Somerville Public Schools? Community donations have helped create a low-cost instrument rental program for families.

Learn more about the instrument lessons and rental program at one of three information sessions this week:
Strings…

Attention Future Somerville Hockey Stars! Visit Conway Park’s outdoor hockey rink on Sunday Sept. 13 from 3-5pm to learn about the game of hockey, how to measure for equipment and try your hand with a stick against members of the BU Terriers Men’s and Women’s 2009-1010 Hockey teams.

The Somerville Public Schools is celebrating local farms and farmers on Thursday, September 24th with fresh corn on the cob served at lunchtime.

Volunteers are sought to visit elementary schools between 7:30 and 8:00 AM morning of September 24th to shuck hundreds of ears of locally grown corn in the morning.

Please contact…

Cuba. What did you just think of? Communism, Fidel, the revolution? Many people believe things in Cuba are being run wrong and should be changed. I, however, disagree. When I think of Cuba I think of kindness, generosity, and community. It didn’

t used to be this way.…

Please join the Mayor of Somerville, the Honorable Joseph A. Curatone, the Superintendent of Schools, Tony Pierantozzi, and representatives from the Board of Aldermen and Somerville School Committee for the dedication of the Brian Higgins Tot Lot at the Kennedy School (5 Cherry Street near Porter Square)

Thursday, September 10, 2009
5:30-6:00 PM: Remarks…

On Monday, August 31, 2009 beginning at 6:45 p.m., the Somerville School Committee will conduct a public hearing on the issue of participating in the inter-district-choice program for the 2009-2010 school year. …

Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi provides advice to families as they prepare for the new school year on Wednesday, September 2nd (Grades 1-12) or Tuesday, September 8th (Grades PK-K).

Read it online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/administration

Join the Progressive Dems at the kick off of one of their endorsed candidates for School Committee!

Christine Rafal will be kicking off her campaign for School Committee on Sunday, September 13th from 3pm to 5pm at the Paddock Rest at 249 Pearl Street in Somerville. Suggested donation is $50.…

Bullying, is it a problem in Somerville-Why or why not? Prevention and how to deal with bullying in school.

Improve Family Bonding and Reduce Risk of Teenage Drug Use, Violence and Teen Pregnancy.  Register now.  See how below.

Guiding Good Choices is an interactive program for all parents of pre-teens and teens, children ages 8-15 that is scientifically proven to prevent underage drinking, drug use, school drop-out, violence, and teen pregnancy while promoting…

Whoda thunk that a simple sign could be a liar?  Here’s a photo essay of some misleading signage in three City of Somerville facilities.

1.  Somerville Schools Administration Building, 181 Washington Street:   At the inaccessible front entrance, we see a blue International Symbol of Access sign informing folks that “REAR ACCESS PARKING” exists…

Our friend reports that her son (22 months) fell while walking on bricks at the Walnut Street Park, fractured his right femur, and is in a cast for four weeks.  She says that bricks at the park were loose and the city attempted to repair them cheaply- and that they were also slick…

The Prospect Hill Academy Charter School enrolls much smaller percentages of special education and limited English proficient students than the two districts where it is based.

Last night’s performance by Project Star at the Somerville High auditorium was a lot of fun.  Jimmy DelPonte’s original musical showed his talent as a storyteller, humorist, and song writer.  He can be forgiven as director for giving the leading role to his son Joey who has theatrical presence and a really good voice.  Many…

Crossing guard posts have been announced.

Please visit the Somerville Public Schools’ website to download a copy of the crossing guard list and see a google map of posts.

Or browse the list of crossing guard posts below:
Planning to walk or bike to the Argenziano School beginning in the Fall?
Crossing…

Information about the new and improved elementary after-school programs offered by the Somerville Public Schools will soon be available in print copy and online. We apologize for the delay and have been waiting for funding information, internal negotiations and translations to be completed. We go live online on Friday and to print on Monday…

Many Somerville residents are not aware that the City manages 46 parks, playgrounds and ball fields for residents. With this astonishing number comes certain responsibilities on the part of the city, such as upkeep and accessibility.

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a FREE community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, age 7-18, who have a mental or physical disability.…

Are you, your friends, or your children being affected by bullies?
A discussion for YOUTH, PARENTS, AND SOMERVILLE RESIDENTS to discuss
• What is Bullying
• Types of Bullying
• Tips for youth to assist them with bullying
• Tips for parents to assist youth with bullying…

Today at 2 pm, a bunch of kids and grownups laughed, danced, clapped, sang, screamed with laughter and marvelled in unison. The OpenAir Circus is again in Somerville- and you’ve got one more day to catch it! (with pics)

For the sixth consecutive year, Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) will partner with the City of Somerville and the Somerville Police Department to host the local celebration of the National Night Out Against Crime and Drugs.…

Somerville High School Freshman Barbeques

*  Tuesday, August 25 from 5:00-7:00 PM: Students and families in Beacon House (students whose last names start with the letters A-DOQ) and Elm House (students whose last names start with the letters DOR-LE)

* Wednesday, August 26 from 5:00-7:00 PM: Students and families in Highland House (students…

In partnership with Primary Source, Kennedy School Principal Anne Foley is in China for the next two weeks. Read the trip blog to learn more about what Dr. Foley and her colleagues are doing and learning…

The renowned Extraterrestrial Circus Experiment will perform their unique and astonishing show, “People” for one night only on Friday, July 10 at 7 pm. The show, at the Armory Center for the Arts, 191 Highland Ave. in Somerville, will benefit the OPENAIR Circus.

The Somerville Youth Soccer League is putting together a Somerville Youth Soccer Fundraiser Night! … On Behalf of myself and the Somerville Youth Soccer League – we thank you for your support! Best, John Teves – Somerville Youth/Recreation Commissioner

This Somerville ARRA Funding Watch is gleaned from the Massachusetts Area Planning Council’s Municipal Resource Guide on the Federal Economic Stimulus,

Pending all final approvals, Somerville is in line…

On Monday the 22nd of June at 7:30 at the Somerville High School the School Committee approved the Welcoming Massachusetts pledge. All the members said “Yes” to the pledge with great enthusiasm…

Come out to the next Progressive Democrats of Somerville Meeting!
When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: VNA, 259 Lowell Street, Community Room

Please join us for a meeting of the Educational Programs Subcommittee on Wednedsay, June 17 at 7:30 pm in the School Department Central Office, 181 Washington Street. The main agenda item will be a discussion of the District’s Middle Grades Initiative, which the School Committee has identified as one of its top priorities.

The Friends of the Community Growing Center will be hosting an all-ages community sing along on Saturday, June 20th from 5-7.

We will be singing traditional and contemporary songs from a variety of genres – songs you know and love, songs you sung at camp, songs you’d want your kids to know, songs that…

The message below was sent by Richard Saunders, Director of Music for the Somerville Public Schools. He is rightfully outraged by a bill currently being considered by the House of Representatives, (Bill H111)which would require school music department to sterilize instruments. Here’s a Globe article about it. …

I thought it was strange that Boston was closing schools. I hadn’t heard of any cases in Somerville since that first lady that got it a couple of months ago. So, then when I heard of many absences at the Brown School, I wondered “What could it be?” Now the scuttlebutt from my daughter’s under…

Please join The Welcome Project on June 7 for a graduation celebration for some special people from cultures and countries all over the world. These are the students in our youth language interpretation and adult language learners programs who have just completed a year’s worth of learning as language interpreters and English language learners.

Sorry about the cross-posting, but:

as some of you may know, the Agassiz Cooperative Preschool has been trying to find a home in Somerville since losing its lease in Porter Square after 34 years. Amazingly, they have found a space on Summer Street (corner of Spring and Summer) and if all goes well with…

Change for a 10 Spot
Wednesday, June 3, at Johnny D’s from 8-11 pm
With a little help from our friends

We couldn’t do our work without friends like you! Join us on Wednesday,
June 3, 8:00-11:00 pm at Johnny D’s Uptown in Somerville’s Davis Square
for Change for a 10 Spot.

Tickets…

From a flyer of The Welcome Project:

Join us at the Welcome Project for our Graduation Celebration!

Show your support for our Youth Interpreters and Adult English Language Learners!

The event will be held on June 7th from 4-7pm

Mystic Activity Center

530 Mystic Ave, Somerville, MA

RSVP by…

From the SPS homepage, entitled “A message from Tony Pierantozzi, Superintendent of Schools”
… The extent of the impact of the current financial crisis on fiscal year 2010 remains unclear. We do know that the impact of the revenue decrease at the State level will require creative solutions and difficulty in maintaining our…

My life in school has been very fun so far. Mainly because my senior friends were around me and hanging out with me. Certainly I have more friends than them but I have more fun when I’m with them. But sadly,…

Celebrate student musicians in the Somerville Public Schools at the Spring String Fling on Thursday, June 4th. This free concert featuring student performers in grades 4-12 will begin at 7:00 PM in the Somerville High School Auditorium (81 Highland Avenue).

Instrumental music lessons are free in the Somerville Public Schools. To learn more contact…

The Somerville Public Schools offers free developmental screenings for 3 and 4 year olds not yet enrolled in the public schools. The next screening date is June 24th. Screenings are free but must be scheduled in advance. Contact Mary Eisner in the Somerville Public Schools Special Education Department (mesiner(at)k12.somerville.ma.us) to make an appointment or just…

…about the proposed FY10 budget of the Somerville Public Schools? …about art and music instruction in the public schools? …about efforts by the schools to prepare students to succeed when they finish high school? These are the next three topics of discussion on the Superintendent’s cable access television show, Our Schools – Our City, broadcast regularly on local cable channel 15.

Learn more about the recent trip to China taken by Somerville High School teacher Mark Quinones over April vacation week. Quinones visited one of the nation’s largest trading partner as part of a teacher study team organized by Primary Source. Dr. Anne Foley, Principal of the John F. Kennedy School will take a similar teacher/study trip to China over the summer.

You are invited to attend a public budget hearing on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM in the Somerville High School Library (81 Highland Avenue) to discuss the proposed FY10 budget for the Somerville Public Schools.

Information about the budget development process is on the Public Schools website. Please visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us. Click…

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.

As announced in the Somerville Journal : What should happen with the former Powder House Community School?

I live outside Davis Square and every time I ride the T, I stop and look at the tiles that line the entrance to the station. I grew up in Somerville at the same time as many of the people who made these tiles, so I usually look for someone I know, and I often wonder what they’re all doing today. …

This week, Craig Leach’s media class at Somerville High broke into four groups to discuss their use of social media. In this class, Facebook reigns supreme. MySpace is losing out. YouTube is very big. Twitter hasn’t caught on except for a few. …

With summer just around the corner and tens of thousands of young people entering the workforce in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick has proclaimed May “Safe Jobs for Youth Month” to focus attention on preventing workplace injuries and deaths.…

Somerville Public Schools wants to hear from you!
Please join community advisory groups on Strategic Communications or After-school programming
Call 617-625-6600 x6013 or Email gkinder(at)k12.somerville.ma.us.
Opportunities for virtual feedback provided for Advisory Group members who cannot attend meetings.
Everyone welcome!…

From Mark Niedergang… The Board of Aldermen and School Committee together will be holding a public forum on the FY 2010 budget this Tuesday, April 28th, at 7 PM in the Aldermen’s Chambers in City Hall. This is an opportunity to get an update from the Mayor and the Superintendent of Schools on the City and School budgets for next year and to share your concerns, ideas, and suggestions about priorities and ways to make the FY 2010 budget stretch further.

The City will be hosting our first annual Shape up the Old Somerville Road Race, a 2.7 mile race/walk beginning and ending on the City Hall concourse. A children’s “Fun Run” will begin from the concourse at 10:00 a.m., with the 2.7 miler beginning at 11:00 a.m. Following the race, there will be a Health…

Mayor Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Trane invite all interested individuals to attend Somerville’s Arbor Day celebration on Friday, May 1st at 10:00 a.m., at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powderhouse Boulevard. The event will include two tree plantings in front of the school grounds, as well as a brief ceremony acknowledging the renewal…

The Somerville High School Art Fair starts on Wednesday, April 29th and runs through Friday, May 1st. Special opening reception will be start at 6:30 PM on the 29th. Student work is on display throughout the Atrium of the High School…

Autism and Special Education Law is the title of the Monday night workshop being hosted by the Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council and Massachusetts Advocates for Children. This event, hosted at the Kennedy School (5 Cherry Street), begins at 7:00 and is free and open to the public…

Somerville Open Studios will get a boost on May 2 and 3 with the addition of participants from of Somerville High School students in the PAL Program who will be displaying and selling hand-crafted jewelry and note cards from their booth at the Center for Arts at the Armory. …

There are new bloggers on the block and they’ve joined me at a 21st Century Club after school program at the Kennedy School.   Students are writing about things that they find interesting, including the MCAS, sports, and Haiti.  You can link to it here under Somerville Blogs in the right-hand column, or go to…

My school, Lynn Classical High School, is not so good right now. The people who built the school built it on a swamp.

An all-ages fair of forward-thinking fun. Get your spirits up and your footprint down!

UPCOMING EVENTS
April 16th is the date of the Somerville High School Spring Concert, hosted beginning at 7:00 PM at Somerville High School (81 Highland Avenue). Student musicians will be showing off their accomplishments in ensemble performances led by the high school Music staff including Richard Saunders, Rick Romanoff, Rosemary Sears and Donna…

If you could change Somerville High, what would you do? Craig Leach’s SHS media class opens a debate this week:

“The kid” hates the lunches but loves the wide variety of teachers. “AB1334” loves SHS but not the “busy work” and says there should be more useful courses. Jeff Wairi wants…

How would I change the school?…

Being as student at Somerville High School and seeing how things are run and the curriculum that is followed makes me think about how I would change if I had the chance.  Although I love Somerville High, there are without a doubt many things that i would change.  One of my pet peeves about school…

The absolute first thing I would change about school would be the time. I would push back the time by a few hours. I think if students weren’t half asleep for the first few classes of the day, the teachers would get a better performance from each student.

A more dramatic decision I would…

Day by day, our schools narrow our mind of being wide and free. “I’m bored”, that is what teenagers say the most and me myself being a teenager think it is true. Things are getting boring  nowadays. School was considered to be a second home once. There is a difference between a house and a…

Education is great and I believe every person needs it. If I could change the way school is taught then I would. Most academic classes (english,history, math, etc…) are all basically alike and it just feels like every class is repeating. You take notes, you watch the teacher do something on the board, you go home and do…

If I was in charge of my school, there would be a few things that I would change. One thing that I would change would be to make school more interactive and fun. I would want to make each class different almost, since most classes usually involve taking notes and then doing work. I would…

Currently i dont think anyone can say they like school. People think school is too boring because its all work and academics and what not. School can be more interesting if it has something to look forward to and thats what we should make. For one its the teachers that make school what it is…

          my dream school is the best. a place where kids aren’t criticized about what they read, their smartness, or even color. all classes are fun, meaning activities are played and planned, students have opportunities given to take the classes they choose. students can create the clubs they want, all of this is great but…

“School is boring,” and “I hate school”  is what I often hear from friends. Honestly, I agree! Change the way we learn! Change the fact that what we study today will be forgotten after the test and that the three days of MCAS begins to fry our brains after the first session! We want to…

Some kids do well in school all their life, others are late bloomers, and some are strange as in they do well, then badly, then well again. I am one of those strange ones. Here’s my story.

~ Enjoy ~

Save Our Somerville is running a soccer tournament on Patriots’ Day Monday, April 20th (pending permit approval, rain date of Tuesday, April 21st). The tournament will be held at Glen Park (Glen St. next to the Capuano School). Sign-ins for Middle School Teams will be at 8:30 AM. Sign-ins for High School and Adult Teams will be at 11:00…

I wake up at 6 am. Then I go take a shower, get dressed, and then my cousin’s mom picks me up at 7 am to take me to school. When I reach my school, I talk to my friends and socialize until 7:45 am, when I go to my first class. School is over by now. School is okay. I like it because my friends are there. If they weren’t there,

On Friday I was a guest at the high school’s Multicultural Fair. It was the most dramatic and most successful cultural event I’ve ever seen – beating everything from Lincoln Center to the MFA.

Dozens of cultures were brilliantly represented with music, dance, food and talk. The presentations were person-to-person, with teens talking with…

Craig Leach’s Somerville High School media and TV production students this week explained what they’re learning and why the class deserves taxpayer support. And they posted “digital books” they created. Take a look!

“Jerry617″ takes his driver’s license test with a state policeman who’s a jokester.  Haley’s friend knocks over a vase

I’ve been meaning to show up here since last week when I read the posts by the Somerville high school students to thank you all for adding a genuine diversity — and democracy — of voices. Just a guess, but I’d bet most of us other posters are way past school age, which makes your…

Help the Department of Education assess the quality of district programs! Sign up to be interviewed as part of the District’s Coordinated Program Review taking place the week of April 27th. Call 617-625-6600 x6028 before April 3rd and ask to be put on the list of members of the public to be interviewed by the Department.…

Nutrition and Your Child @ Winter Hill Community School Library, 3/16, 6-8pm
preparing for the college admissions process @ SHS Auditorium, 3/23, 7-8:30pm
impact of family violence on learning workshop @ Kennedy School, 3/31, 7-8:30pm

Students in the Class of 2009 at Somerville High School are invited to apply for any one of many college and technical school scholarships available through local scholarship funds.…

On Wednesday of May 21, 2007 around 12:30 P.M, I decided to skip school and go home. It had been the worst day for me.…

The following writings were submitted today by students in a media class at Somerville High School.…

Somerville writer Doug Holder presents a workshop on the Small Press and Independent Publishing to Books of Hope youth and the community on Monday, Feb 23rd, 7-9 pm at the Mystic Activity Center, 530 Mystic Ave. The event features poet/performer C.D. Collins who’ll be joining Doug for this lively reading, talk, and interactive creative exchange…

Will your child be 3 by August 31, 2009? Are you interested in having your child be a typically developing peer in the Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP?)…

They wanted to publish under pseudonyms, so the following stories are by “Gori” and “Hector.”

Do any of these issues concern you?

Bullying?  Child predators on the internet?  Use of violence to solve problems?

The Foreign Language Study Committee Report will be presented to the School Committee this Wednesday, February 11th, at 7:00 PM in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the SPS Administrative Headquarters, 181 Washington Street (in the Boys and Girls Club, enter from the rear and take the elevator.)

Also on the agenda of this…

$80 for four days of fun! Breakfast and pizza included.

The days are lengthening and the sap will soon begin flowing. That’s right, it’s Maple Syrup Time! The Somerville Maple Syrup Project will be kicking off the 2009 season this Saturday, January 31st at 12pm!

For more details read It’s Time to

I want to share with you a call I received this week from an 80-year-old Somerville woman. Olga is a retired math teacher who is recovering from hip replacement surgery. After hearing President Obama’s Inaugural Address and his call to service, she picked up the phone, saying she was moved to “give back any way I can.” Olga will be tutoring math at Somerville High School three hours a week. I know that there are many more Olgas in Somerville and beyond who are searching for meaningful ways to connect with and give back to their community.

Dear colleagues and neighbors,

At least three times a week I get email from members of our community offering advice on ways the website of the Somerville Public Schools can be reorganized to better meet their information needs.…

Somerville Adult Evening School Winter 2009 Classes start the week of February 3.

Whether you long to learn to ice a cake like a pro, play an African drum, speak Portuguese, deliver CPR, design a web page, do your own home improvements, or simply cut your home energy costs, Somerville Adult Evening School has an affordable course for you. Weekly classes are held at Somerville High School and cover everything from mastering pastry dough to learning to create architectural plans with AutoCAD.…

This event is an opportunity for Somerville youth and community partners to meet in person, build community, and discuss how Somerville can become a safer and welcoming place for everyone. At the event, our youth members will present personal stories, and sit in small dialogue groups with adults.

Learn more about the Unidos program at the February 3rd Open House/Tour at the Capuano Early Childhood Center (150 Glen Street).  The Open House starts at 8:30 am.

Families of children who will be 5 by August 31, 2009 are invited to learn more about the Unidos program at this open house. Unidos is a bi-cultural/bi-lingual program  where students in Grades K-8 learn core content in both English and Spanish.

Click “Read more” to learn about:

- College Goal Sunday on January 25th
- Kindergarten registration paperwork help, January 26-29
- Bye Bye Birdie at Somerville High School February 6-8
- Student art on exhibit at the Nave Gallery
- Somerville Special Olympics Swim team

The Food Services Department is starting a Student Advisory Board in February to give students the opportunity to voice their thoughts about school meals.  Students will meet with the Food Service Director and Nutrition Outreach Coordinator on a monthly basis to advise on the school breakfast and lunch program through the rest of the school year.  All interested students should contact Charlotte Stephenson, Nutrition Outreach Coordinator, at (617) 625-6600 x6095 or cstephenson(at)k12.somerville.ma.us.

Read more information here

I’m helping the School Department with publicity for College Goal Sunday, on January 25 at 2:00, in the Somerville High School cafeteria. Please pass this information on to students who could use some help completing the FAFSA financial aid form.

I want to tell you about Pintamos Nuestro Mundo (We Paint Our World), which is the youth group of Centro Presente. …

The Benjamin Brown School, a Somerville public school located at 201 Willow Ave (corner of Kidder), will hold its Open House week the same hours as the rest of the district’s schools, with the addition of open house hours on Tuesday, January 20th, starting at 8:30 a.m and ending at 1:30 p.m.  Open House will continue Wed, Jan. 21, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and Thursday and Friday, Jan. 22 and Jan. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The period after the December break is always a time of high activity in the schools.  What follows is a list of events and activities which might be of interest to all residents, business owners and others across the city:

Read More.>>

The Early Childhood Festival celebrates young children and families, and provides families with the opportunity to learn more about early childhood education programs and resources in Somerville. Hosted by the Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC), an award-winning collaboration between the Somerville Public Schools and all of the city’s early childhood programs…

ECIP is an integrated early childhood program with a mix of standard and special education children ages three and four. Classes meet four days per week for 5.25 hours per day. There is one teacher and one paraprofessional in each class for a maximum of 15 children.…

Students who will be 5 by August 31, 2009 are eligible for free, full-day kindergarten in the Somerville Public Schools. Kindergarten registration begins in January! Registration materials will be mailed home to the parents/guardians of every age eligible child born in Somerville.

Pleasant Auto School and Somerville Adult Evening School have teamed up to provide a 5 week driver’s education course for any teens or adults with a learner’s permit. Students receive 30 hours of classroom instruction, twelve hours of Road Lessons, six hours of observation time.

Congratulations to Laxmi Spearing, Charlie LoBrutto, Sofia Carafotes and Lynn Soyring – all of whom won a gift in the raffle held at the All-City Elementary Winter Concert last night, 12/11, at Somerville High School. Raffle prizes were donated by Porter Square Books, Performance Music Center, and Target.

Julia’s drawing entitled Red Sails at Sunset by Julia J won third prize in Crayola’s “Art of Childhood” online exhibit!

More than 35 student actors, musicians, stage and costume designers, and production engineers are working on the 2009 Somerville High School production of Bye Bye Birdie. Scheduled to launch its three day run on Friday, February 6th, Bye Bye Birdie tells the story of Conrad Birdie…

The District is rich in activity throughout the early part of December. Highlights include…

I don’t agree with his accusatory tone–I think most people voted for Obama with their eyes open–but Sam Smith has “listed nearly three dozen things that Obama supports or opposes with which no good liberal or progressive would agree.” Most prominent among them to my perspective:

“Klass Klownz” auditions are open to any Somerville resident in Grades 7 through 9, and will be held Wednesday, December 10th at 6:00 p.m. in West Somerville Neighborhood School at 177 Powderhouse Boulevard. Performers should prepare a one-minute skit that can take the form of a funny song, an impression, or a parody of a TV ad or character. A CD player will be provided for those auditioners that have their own music.

Spread Christmas cheer and support alternative education by buying a Christmas tree or wreath from Next Wave and Full Circle Alternative Schools, which provide high quality instruction in a therapeutic setting for up to 104 Somerville youth in Grades 6-12.

When I play, I feel concentrated and sometimes nervous. I get motivated by my team mates. When I step on the field, I feel like everything around me is like a perfect dream. I can hear my heart beat. …

Do you want to learn more about schools in Somerville? Did you miss the last forum, or want another opportunity to ask questions? Many of us have babies or toddlers and haven’t had time to investigate our options yet. Some wonder whether we should stay in Somerville or move to

I like to play video games that have to do with music or creating music. Like DDR (Dance Dance Revolution): you play with a mat that has 4 arrows, one pointing up, down, left and right. On the screen, you press the arrows with your feet by dancing along with the music that you’re hearing on the game. That is one music game that I love to play. …

No school on November 4th; Vocational Fair on November 8th; School Improvement Council Training on November 10th; Parent/Guardian Focus Group on Middle Grades Learning on November 13th; District-wide open house and information session on November 18th

There was another Long Range Planning meeting for the School Committee Thursday night. I won’t have a lengthy report this time because they got a late start and didn’t have handouts to help me out. The reason for the late start was the meeting for School Committee members from throughout Massachusetts with Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester beforehand. We were allowed to sit in on a little of that while we waited, and it was a bit interesting.

Somerville Youth Hockey Association provides an instructional level program for youth from ages 3-8 years old at Somerville’s DCR Rink on Saturday mornings for the entire season. This is a great opportunity to put on a pair of skates and learn skating and hockey basics. There is no pressure to join a team, but children…

Join the Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey Team as they host a FREE hockey clinic for girls 8th
Grade and under (because of NCAA rules, they can not be in high school yet)

More than most cities and towns, the city of Somerville and its public schools rely very heavily on state aid. In fact, this year, state aid makes up more than half (58 percent) of the Somerville schools’ budget. This much-needed money would be cut drastically if Question 1 passes, eliminating the state income tax. According to one estimate by groups including the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, our schools could lose as much as 90 percent of its aid if Question 1 passes, and our city could lose 65 percent.

Just in case you do not have time to read through all of the notices posted on the video bulletin board on local cable channel 16, here is a preview of some of the interesting events happening in the Somerville Public Schools. All events listed here are free and open to the public.

The Somerville Public Schools, inspired by the long range goals set by the School Committee, is hosting a series of community discussions about the possibility of expanding available learning time through the Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time initiative.

Please join the Superintendent for a community discussion on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00-11:30 AM…

Thursday night, amid the sounds of the stock market crashing down around us, there was an oasis of optimism in a most unusual place—a school committee meeting! The Committee was getting an overall update on progress toward our 5 long-term goals…

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Youth Soccer League invite all to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new James McCarthy Field located at the Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center on 150 Glenn Street / Wednesday September 24th from 3:30-4:30pm.

The ceremony will include a brief speaking agenda, ribbon cutting, and special…

Regional news media continues to report on communities around the Commonwealth which are faced with financial squeezes that negatively impact local education. One way some communities manage the squeeze is by instituting or driving up extracurricular activity fees. In the Somerville Public Schools the commitment to providing equal access to important enrichment activities remains strong.

There are several noteworthy events happening in the Somerville Public Schools in the upcoming weeks.

With test scores so low and not improving in so many schools, our drop out rates going up not down, and compassion and sustainability seemingly weak or hidden traits in American society (if not in the global community on a whole), it might be time to re-look the United States’ school system’s focus on standardized testing and the classroom climate and teaching styles which it necessitates.

There’s been a fascinating discussion among Yahoo group members of Somerville-4-Schools. It started with a new parent complaining about back-to-school communications being lacking in some respects, but lead to some encouraging words from parent Melissa McWhinney (see below), and finally this great endorsement of the School Council’s efforts at Somerville High by Joe Beckmann

Crossing guards are posted at the following corners every school day to make help students safely walk or bike to school. Each corner is staffed from approximately 7:30-8:30 AM and again from 2:25-3:00 PM.

The Somerville Public Schools is looking for businesses, non-profit partners, volunteers and community experts to work with us planning and running afterschool activity clubs for students in Grades K-8 across the City. This is why we are inviting you to an Afterschool Activity Club Bidders’ Conference hosted by the Somerville Public Schools on Thursday, September 4th from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM at the SPS Central Office (181 Washington Street – in the same building as the Boys and Girls Club).

Hello everyone, Due to the overwhelming success of the initial sale of tickets to the October 4th Somerville Youth Soccer Family Night, the New England Revolution have made additional tickets available, so if you missed the August 1st deadline – no worries! Tickets are now available until August 29th!

This is the question we will ask students of all ages at the National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5th. Join us at the National Night Out begining at 5:00 PM in Foss Park – not just to be interviewed for TV, but also to enjoy an evening of family fun and a celebration of peace and community.

The OPENAIR Circus is an amazing phenomenon with an improbable history. If you’ve got kids, take them this weekend and think about joining. After this weekend, the next major performance will be in Boston’s First Night parade.…

Join The New England Revolution as they take on their eastern rivals D.C. United on WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20TH – Game Time 7:30PM @ Gillette Stadium. Sponsored by the New England Revolution Soccer Team and The Somerville Youth & Recreation Foundation

Please support our Somerville High School Soccer Team! Somerville Recreation Department is offering the following Soccer Clinics for the week of August 11th – August 15th @ Dilboy Stadium

Just passing this along:
The city will be holding a meeting about Albion Park Monday, July 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the VNA Building, 259 Lowell Street.

SOS members will be at the event to support keeping activities for young adults and teenagers. There have been several parks such as Perry Park and the Kemp Nuts site…

Somerville Youth Soccer Family Night!!!

REVS vs. Real Salt Lake

Saturday, October 4th @ 7:30

REVS vs. Real Salt Lake, Saturday, October 4th @ 7:30 PM in Gillette Stadium, Parking is FREE, lots open at 5:30 PM, Enjoy Soccer Celebration before the game & Autograph Alley after the game!!! Payments due Aug 1st. Read on for ticket information…

This is Joanna Stenning posting on behalf of Beyond the 4th Wall Theater and Creative Arts Studio in Central Square, Cambridge. We are excited to announce that we still have room for more participants in our upcoming summer programs for children and teens, and would love to open registration for these classes to the Somerville community.

Come see the power of words and the power of girls join forces at Teen Voices’ annual Pens of Power Conference! Join over 100 Boston teens for a Saturday devoted to the power of the written word. Local female poets, novelists and journalists will lead exciting workshops and talk about what motivates them to write. Enjoy free lunch, prizes and beats from DJ D’hana.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD’s next annual progress report to the President and Congress, “National Disability Policy: A Progress Report,” which is required by Section 401(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

The Sunsetters are a group of preteens and teenagers who sing and
dance to Broadway tunes. Check them out at the fireworks celebration, June 26 at 6PM.

Another of the city’s popular family events, Family Fun Day includes a variety of activities for residents of all ages. Obstacle courses, games, watermelon eating contests, dancing, and a dunk tank are only a few examples of the day’s events! Dunk the Mayor! Dunk your Alderman! Eat your weight in watermelon! Bring your children, your parents, and your friends.

The Turbulent Tween Years

Communicating with your 8-13 year-old daughter

a facilitated discussion to help parents understand the unique challenges associated with growing up in today’s environment. Sponsered by Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.

Somerville families don’t have to run away to join the OPENAIR Circus. The Circus is offering its 23d year of summer circus workshops for children, teens, and adults. Classes will run June 24th through July 24th. Performances will be August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.under the big top at Nunziato Field near Union Square in Somerville.

For those of you who may not know, Governor Patrick filed the environmental bond bill (H.4446) this past December. Open space for outdoor recreation (as we all know) is extremely limited in Somerville. These funds can be used to develop Foss Park into the Urban Oasis we so desperately need in Somerville. There is tremendous potential to significantly upgrade the park for all who utilize the area. We must maximize this critical moment by taking advantage of these opportunities.

When school’s out, it can be hard to find enough good things for your kids to do. Here’s a local guide that several of us have put together.…

Beyond the 4th Wall is dedicated to providing children and teens with an affordable outlet for theater, visual, and performing arts. Students ages 9-15 are encouraged not only to develop as performers, but also to build self-confidence, learn how to work as a team, and to practice creative thinking–and to have a GREAT time while doing so! We would like to invite children and teens from the Somerville area to participate in our Summer 2008 classes, camps, and events.

The Youth Media program at Somerville Community Television is hosting a free screening of short films shot by the youth members of THE NEXT GENERATION PRODUCERS. This screening will be at 6pm Tuesday June 3, at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

It seems that a good deal of energy and money could be saved if these lights were turned off during off-hours. Particularly the one on Spring Hill at Summer St. Lots of these lights blink, even in the Summer. Small and simple, but helpful…

Folks, This unfortunate series of events was extremely complicated and will be impossible to unravel and understand. This concert could have been a very positive event and the intentions of Centro Presente — to promote support for immigrants and peace among youth — are exemplary.

The following letter was released by Centro Presente yesterday regarding the cancellation of their hip-hop concert scheduled for Friday of last week at the Somerville High School.

It is one of our School Committee’s Long Range goals to consider extending the school day. There is a big push for this gathering on the state level as well, and schools are beginning to take advantage of grant money offered to give $1,300 per student for 300 hours of additional instruction/enrichment hours. I found…

Do you want to help set the direction for Somerville’s anti-poverty agency? The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) is seeking candidates—and voters—for its Board elections, coming up the week of May 19th at two locations in Somerville.

Read More.>>

It’s great that people have been responding to Linda Conte’s post proposing a parent-made directory of summer camps and other summer educational activities.…

This speech about Somerville young people killed by drugs, made the front page of the Globe’s City section. But publicity’s not enough. What should Somerville do about it?…

Having toddlers kind of put the kibosh on my favorite summertime activity—reading at the beach. Still, when they would eventually exhaust themselves with swimming, shell collecting, and digging to China, we could stay on the beach a little longer if I pulled out some read-aloud material.…

Here’s a fascinating forum on MCAS and what it really means on the ground level, inside our schools.…

Is high-stakes testing “the civil rights issue of our time” or a strategy for avoid the hard steps we need to take to improve education? See what you think.…

Somerville Teachers Association President Linda Vitiello (an elementary school teacher) tells a story about a child, a mural, and what paper-and-pencil tests don’t measure.…