Schools and Youth

We’re excited about getting back to school at the beginning of next month!
Please share the following back to school dates and resources with your colleagues, members and constituents. The 2010-2011 school year calendar is available online in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/calendar. All of these dates are also [...]

Somerville Community Access Television is starting a 12-session Next Generation Producers afterschool media club for Somerville middle school students.  The club will meet on Wednesdays, beginning on September 21, from 3:30 to 5:30 at 90 Union Square. The students will work with two professional video producers to create TV shows in a three-camera TV studio, [...]

Starting this Friday (August 6), four rising seniors from Somerville High’s Track and Cross Country teams will “trek” from a spot near the Quabbin Reservoir to the Aquarium Wharf (approximately 80 miles) to raise funds to support the Somerville Homeless Coalition. They have raised close to $2,000 so far from Somervillains attending Farmer’s Markets, Artbeat, [...]

[ July 30, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. July 31, 2010; 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. August 1, 2010; 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] Kids, Clowns, Talent, Crazy Fun.

OPENAIR Circus presents its 25th season Big Top performance

July 30 & 31, and August 1, 2010

Families from Greater Somerville will be amazing and amusing audiences under the big tent at Nunziato Field, at the corner of Vinal Ave. and Summer Street near Union Square.

Founded in 1986 by Somerville parents, [...]

Harvard and Tufts try to help solve Somerville organizing and calendar problems

Somerville Youth Hockey is seeking energetic men & women (ages 25 +)  to be good teachers and be willing to develop, mentor and administer our growing program for our Mites, Squirts, Pee Wee, Bantams & Midgets. Coaches are unlimited, but hockey coaches who are truly professional, passionate, and can effectively communicate their knowledge are rare.
SYHA [...]

[ July 26, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. July 28, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. July 29, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Welcome to the 2010-2011 SYHA Season. We are very excited about the upcoming season and look forward to the opening of our new rink. Somerville Youth Hockey is always looking for more players. If you want to play youth hockey in a brand NEW rink, send an email to webmaster@somervilleyouthhockey.org. If you are interested in [...]

[ July 22, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] If you run a blog or email list (sometimes called a listserv) or distribute information on Facebook or YouTube that supports kids and families, you’re invited to the OneVille Project’s Online Media Meetup on Thursday, July 22, 6:30–8:30 at Design Annex, 60–70 Union Square, above Precinct.

One of OneVille’s goals is to make sharing information that [...]

Somerville student work is on display in the Department of Education’s virtual art galleryhttp://www.doe.mass.edu/resources/kidart.aspx?page=51! See samples of youth art made in schools. Are you there? Is your child or teen’s work there?
For more information about the Visual Arts Department of the Somerville Public Schools please visit our website, www.somerville.k12.ma.us/arts.

[ July 26, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] The entire public, and particularly the neighbors and members of the East Somerville Community School community are invited to the next public meeting to discuss/learn about the progress of the renovation of the East Somerville Community School following the 2007 fire that devastated the building.

The meeting is on:
Monday, July 26, 2010
Capuano Early Childhood Center, 150 [...]

Enter your guess online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/contest. The person who comes closest to guessing the total amount by Thursday, 7/15 at 5:00 will win a Borders Gift Card.
You can also tweet your guess to www.twitter.com/svilleschools or enter your guess on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SomervillePublicSchools.
It has been a good year for our graduates. Can you guess how good?
Winners [...]

Environmental and safety concerns haunt this lovely park. Joe’s Astroturf and Streetscape SNAFUS don’t help, either…

Here are the complete texts of selected posts to the Somerville-4-Schools email list about the merging on the Choice and Neighborhood programs at the Healey School. These posts are excerpted in a comment on “6/21/10 School Committee Votes To Combine the Healey School’s Choice and Neighborhood Programs.”
from John S. on June 2:
Disappointed and saddened describes [...]

The Somerville School Committee decided in a 5 to 3 vote on Monday, June 21, 2010 to unify the Healey School and charge the School Improvement Council with creating a school redesign plan. This plan will use the Choice program educational practices and governing document as a starting point for discussion. In a second action, the members of the School Committee voted 6 to 2 to define a set of guiding principles to help the School Improvement Council with their Fall 2010 planning work.

There was some good news tonight for school custodians, at the city budget hearing at City Hall. It was announced that the mayor and the custodians’ union is in negotiations, and so it’s possible that the layoff of 49 custodians and outsourcing of their jobs may be avoided.

[ June 24, 2010; 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. ] At this discussion we will review the DRAFT bullying plan, data that points to strategies for improving the implementation of the District’s award-winning Wellness Policy, and the plan for improving the implementation of the District’s Safe and Drug Free Schools Plan.

Due to numerous recent inquiries about the sport, The Somerville Recreation Department is attempting to determine the level of interest for the sport of Lacrosse in the City of Somerville

The Somerville Public Schools’ Food Services provides free breakfasts and lunches at Somerville playgrounds, fields, parks and pools.  Let them eat picnic!  Here are the particulars:
FREE Breakfast will be distributed to any Somerville youth who asks Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning on June 29th in Albion Park and Grimmons Park. FREE breakfast will also be [...]

[ June 22, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] I would like to let people in Somerville and anywhere else know about a rally against the mayor and his wrong budget choices.

WHEN:  June 22, 2010 6 pm

WHERE:  City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143

The school custodians did everything but give a kidney to him and that was not good enough. The custodians are [...]

FREE MEALS ALL SUMMER FOR ALL YOUTH STARTING JUNE 28TH.

FREE Breakfast for ALL Somerville youth on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning on June 29th in Albion Park and Grimmons Park. FREE breakfast available between 9:45 -10:00 AM at Kidstop in Powderhouse Park beginning on July 6th.

FREE lunches are dropped off for for ALL Somerville Youth [...]

[ June 19, 2010; ] Books of Hope’s

Mystic Ink Tour is keepin it live and rollin as it moves through New England bringing poetry performances by today’s youth and books that they’ve written to communities near you!

Saturday, June 19th the tour rolls into Roxbury and Cambridge…

Catch us at 2 pm, performing before thousands at the annual Juneteenth–Roxbury Homecoming in Franklin [...]

The Parts and Crafts Collective is running a girls invention week as part of our new summer program in Somerville. Our program is about “making things and making things happen” — building light sabers, making bread and cheese, launching bottle rockets, and taking things apart! We run on a sliding [...]

I am a school custodian for the City of Somerville.  I see a Boston Herald article that Boston is cutting 83 school custodians.
Reading the comments ( there are 249 comments so far!) I see that many of what these other people are saying is true; however,  one thing that is not [...]

Dear Friends of Somerville Schools,
I want to update you on the school budget process and to alert you to slight change of dates.
The Superintendent presented his proposed budget to the School Committee at the Public Hearing on June 10. Several members of the audience commented on the budget and its priorities.  Documents relevant to the [...]

FY11 Budget Update, School calendar, Bullying prevention, Summer reading, Summer activities, SPS on Twitter…

[ June 13, 2010; 12:00 pm to 3:45 pm. ] SOMERVILLE YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE

TRAVEL TEAM REGISTRATION INFORMATION – FALL 2010

FIELD EVALUATIONS – SUNDAY JUNE 13

All players who attend evaluations will be placed on a team.

Field evaluations are for all players born between Aug 1, 1998, and July 31, 2002 in order to form teams as players move up in the travel league. All [...]

[ July 7, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. July 8, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. July 14, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. July 15, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. July 21, 2010 10:00 am to July 22, 2010 12:00 pm. July 22, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. July 28, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. July 29, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Somerville Community Access Television’s Next Generation Producer’s youth media program is offering an eight-session workshop in July for Somerville students ages 11 to 14. The workshop will be fun, educational, and creative.

The students will learn to use state-of-the-art media technology, including digital video equipment, digital still cameras, Photoshop, and Final Cut editing software. They will [...]

Registration is now OPEN for the TOPSOCCER SUMMER PROGRAM!
Saturday June 19th – July 31st
10:00am – 11:00am
Capuano Field – 150 Glen Street, Somerville, MA
Open to special needs children of all ages & abilities.  TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by [...]

Dear Friends of Somerville Schools,
I want to let folks know that documents relevant to the budget planning process for our schools for the next fiscal year are now available on the School Department website. I have pasted the link here and at the bottom of this email.
Update, Read Slight Change in School Budgeting Timeline
http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=14074&catfilter=1183#showDoc
Please note [...]

All Spring debate has raged both within and outside of the A.D. Healey School about how to resolve the severe income gap between the two K-6 programs in the school, Choice (38% low income) and Neighborhood (90% low income).  Last night the school committee heard the Superintendent’s long-awaiting recommendation on the future structure of the [...]

Do you know a child who struggles with reading or writing? The Donald D. Durrell Reading and Writing Clinic, located at BU’s School of Education, has a few spaces remaining for its second summer session, from July 19 through August 5. The Clinic provides intensive one-on-one tutoring that advances the literacy learning of students in [...]

[ June 6, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] The Paul Duhamel Education Initiative, in its 14th year, will be holding its 5th annual “Walk to Keep Kids in School,” walking for 2.5 miles along the Somerville Bike Path starting at Davis Square on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at 10 a.m. It will be held rain or shine and is sure to be a [...]

[ May 12, 2010; 6:00 pm; May 18, 2010; 7:00 pm; June 2, 2010; 7:00 pm; June 10, 2010; 7:00 pm; June 14, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] Dear Friends, As you probably know, in May and June the School Committee enters the height of the budget season as we make plans for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1. This is always a complicated process and one best conducted with the public fully informed of the process.

[ June 10, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] The time/location of this meeting is still to be determined. Please visit the “events” page of the Somerville Public Schools’ website, http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/events, or the “School Committee” page of the site, http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/school_committee, for additional details.

You can also follow the Somerville Public Schools on Twitter, @svilleschools monitor updates on the District’s Facebook Fan Page for event [...]

[ June 1, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] The time/location of this meeting is still to be determined. Please visit the “events” page of the Somerville Public Schools’ website, http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/events, or the “School Committee” page of the site, http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/school_committee, for additional details.

You can also follow the Somerville Public Schools on Twitter, @svilleschools monitor updates on the District’s Facebook Fan Page for event [...]

[ May 12, 2010; 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Join your neighbors to learn how the City is moving forward with its plans for the disposition of the Powder House Community School property. Discuss how we can keep our concerns about the reuse of this property at the forefront of the decision making process.

“I hope you all get some power someday, so you’ll know what it’s like to have to satisfy your constituents’ demands with a limited budget.”

[ May 8, 2010; ] Somerville, MA May 3rd 2010 – Somerville “mompreneur” Kerri Friedlander and husband Lucas today announced their intention to hold a Grand Opening sale at the Upland Road location of “TwinkleStar Boutique” in Porter Square on May 8th, 2010.

The couple originally established retail presence in Ball Square Somerville but took a chance to co-locate with a [...]

[ May 13, 2010; 6:00 pm; July 16, 2010; ] This May, local Haitian youth living in Somerville’s Mystic Housing Projects set off on a 10-stop book tour, called the Mystic Ink Tour, to bring their stories to communities across New England. The DIY tour will take the teens out of their economically-challenged neighborhood and bring them to some of the most celebrated spoken word venues and bookstores in the region. www.booksofhope-ma.org

[ May 3, 2010; ] The Somerville Public Schools are OPEN all day tomorrow, May 3rd – and expect to be open throughout the water emergency. Students and staff are asked, if able, to bring their own safe, packaged beverages. Food service will be offering breakfast, lunch and snacks; the menu may be limited by the availability of [...]

[ May 1, 2010; 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] Come join other parents to talk about the kind of education we want at the Healey School and the future of the Choice and Neighborhood programs. Parent’s input will be collected and presented to the School Committee.

[ May 17, 2010; 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm. ] The Somerville Public Schools will conduct a public hearing to determine participation in the school choice program for the 2010-2011 school year. *This is NOT a public hearing about the Choice program at the Healey School.*

PARTICIPATE IN POWDER HOUSE COMMUNITY SCHOOL REUSE FOCUS GROUP: The City of Somerville is seeking community volunteers to participate in a Powder House/Teele Square Focus Group. The Group will be led by City staff to gather community consensus on a vision for the future and identify steps to make that vision a reality. [...]

[ April 27, 2010; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] Training for Healey parents that want to participate in online discussions about the future of the Healey school.

[ April 28, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Books of Hope (a teen literacy and empowerment program based in the Mystic Housing Project) is presenting a poetry workshop and youth poetry slam featuring poet Everett Hoagland, Wednesday, April 28th, 2010, from 6-8PM at the Somerville Library at 79 Highland Ave. All are welcome!

There will be free food and the teens will be [...]

[ June 16, 2010; 7:30 pm; ] Wednesday, June 16th, 2010, 7:30 >
Location : Somerville High School Auditorium (81 Highland Avenue

[ June 16, 2010; 5:00 pm; ] Wednesday, June 16th, 2010, 5:00 >

[ June 16, 2010; ] Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
Location : Healey School (5 Meacham Street)

[ June 7, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] Monday, June 7th, 2010, 6:00 >
Location : Dilboy Stadium

[ June 3, 2010; ] Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Location : Healey School (5 Meacham Street)

[ May 25, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Tuesday, May 25th, 2010, 6:30 >
Location : SHS Auditorium

[ May 24, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Monday, May 24th, 2010, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location : Kennedy School, 5 Cherry Street
Presented by Amy Bamforth, MS and MSW, from the Somerville Community Partnership for Children.

At this workshop we will discuss:
What are the different types of bullying that kids experience?
How can we deal with the bullying that happens?
What can families do?
What can schools do?
What [...]

[ May 20, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] Thursday, May 20th, 2010, 7:00 >
Location :
The Somerville High School Auditorium is located at 81 Highland Avenue.

[ April 19, 2010; 6:30 pm; ]

[ April 19, 2010; ] Save Our Somerville is running a soccer tournament on Patriots’ Day Monday, April 19th (pending permit approval, rain or shine). Even if you don’t play soccer, please come out and learn more about SOS events and spread the word.

[ April 13, 2010; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] The all City K-8 Art Fair Located at Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School, Lincoln Park, 3rd Floor
Opening Ceremonies
Tuesday, April 13th
5:30- 7:30 PM

Musical Performances
5:30- 7:30 PM

[ May 12, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Wednesday, May 12th, 2010, 6:30 >
Location : SHS Fieldhouse

[ May 6, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] Thursday, May 6th, 2010, 7:00 >
Location : Somerville High School (81 Highland Avenue)

[ May 5, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Wednesday, May 5th, 2010, 6:30 >
Location : Somerville High School (81 Highland Avenue)

[ April 3, 2010; 5:30 am to 7:30 am. ] Monday, May 3rd, 2010, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location : Cummings gym
The “Getting Ready for Kindergarten” Workshop is am opportunity for new Kindergarten parents/guardians to get tips on preparing their child for Kindergarten from former parents and teachers

[ May 3, 2010 to May 7, 2010. ] All-Day
Location : District-wide

[ April 29, 2010; 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] Thursday, April 29th, 2010, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Location : Capuano Cafeteria and Gym
Prekindergarten children and their parents/guardians will participate in activities that demonstrate math and literacy activities they are learning in class.

[ April 19, 2010; ] School is closed

Are you a parent/guardian of a grade PK-8 student in the Somerville Public Schools? Look for your complimentary copy of the first edition of Chop Chop, a new healthy cooking magazine for families, in your child’s backpack next week.
Special thanks to the Office of Mayor Curtatone for making it possible to distribute this magazine [...]

[ April 8, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] On Thursday, April 8th please join students from each of Somerville’s seven K-6 or K-8 elementary schools for a concert featuring songs celebrating spring and global community. The concert starts at 7:00 PM, is free and open to the entire public and takes place in the Somerville High School Auditorium (81 Highland Avenue).

Have you downloaded your copy of the amended 2009-2010 school year calendar?
If you haven’t please be aware that Wednesday, April 7th is now a 1/2 day for all students. The last day of school is currently scheduled for June 22nd.
Visit the website of the Somerville Public Schools to get a copy of the new [...]

The Somerville Youth Soccer web team has been working on a new site for the league. It is up and running and we hope you will find it useful. Log onto www.somervillesoccer.us
To improve communication between the league and parents, we have setup a service whereby anyone can sign up to have league announcements emailed to [...]

[ April 10, 2010; 8:50 am to 3:00 pm. ] Tufts Kids’ Day
Tufts Medford Campus
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (registration 8:50-10:00 AM)
Kids’ Day features amusement park rides, magic shows, chemistry shows, carnival booths, and exciting performances. Kids’ Day is open to children from the Medford and Somerville communities between kindergarten and third grade. Tufts students volunteer to guide children through the day’s events, run student [...]

[ April 10, 2010; 11:30 am to 4:00 pm. ] On Saturday, April 10, 2010, more than 800 youth will attend the fourth annual Somerville Youth Peace Conference at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue in Somerville, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The conference, Rising from our Roots, will feature original performances and speeches by Somerville teens based on their own lives, workshops led [...]

A town cannot set its tax rate until it has received the Cherry Sheet. But what does it mean?

[ March 22, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. March 23, 2010; 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. March 24, 2010; 9:00 am to 11:00 am. March 25, 2010; 9:00 am to 11:00 am. March 31, 2010; 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. April 6, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. April 8, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. April 13, 2010; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. April 14, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] YOU MIGHT HAVE ALREADY HEARD…
• Somerville High School’s drop-out rate continues to be on the decline. Get details in the press release issued by the Office of the Superintendent on Tuesday, March 16th, online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/news
• Due to snow closures, the last day of school is NOW June 22nd. Get the new 2009-2010 school [...]

[ March 31, 2010; 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] What’s Next For the Powder House Community School?

WHY :       The City is moving ahead with plans to rezone and sell the Powder House School property.

WHAT :    Join your neighbors to learn about the City’s planning process, discuss how redevelopment might impact the neighborhood, and find out how we can ensure [...]

Somerville Little League

2010 online Registration is now open

Register today at:
www.somervillelittleleague.org

Don’t want to register online?
* In Person Registration *
Every Wednesday night 7:30 – 9:00 pm
St. Catherine’s Church Hall: 179 Summer St.

** Registration required for all Leagues **
· T-ball
· Baseball: Farm, Minors, Majors, Juniors & Seniors
· Softball: Minors, Majors & Seniors

* Player [...]

[ April 5, 2010; ] The Somerville Public Schools invites you to tell your stories about learning and teaching in Somerville in our Spring 2010 Digital Photography contest. Complete submissions received by April 5th will have the chance to win a $50 gift card from Tufts University and the opportunity to have their photos printed in the Somerville News [...]

What a price for tenure? And how can you tell your professor is crazy!

According to this post on the ResiStat blog in answer to my question, the Mystic Children’s Zone will use college enrollment as the final measurement of its success.  Perhaps this, and not high school graduation, should be used to measure the performance of our school system over all.
Although college isn’t for everyone, it probably is [...]

[ February 22, 2010; 6:00 pm; 7:00 pm; February 23, 2010; 6:00 pm; 7:00 pm; February 24, 2010; 6:00 pm; 7:00 pm; February 25, 2010; 6:00 pm; 7:00 pm; ] The Somerville Youth Hockey Association is holding tryouts on Saturday Feb 20th offering it’s 10 and under girls-only try out!

This is for our first time players age 10 and under (birth year 2000 or after) in order to create an all-girls team for the Stoneham “buzzer” league for the 2010-2011 season.

Try outs start at 9:45 and [...]

[ May 24, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] 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.

[ April 26, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] 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.

[ March 10, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] 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.
Right now our e-calendars can tag events as being associated with a specific school or program. Users can then select these categories to search for events [...]

[ March 6, 2010; 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. ] Las Vegas comes to Somerville – Get out your shark skin suit and your sequins –  come and gamble for a good cause at Davis Square’s swinging VFW!!
Somerville Childrens Network
3rd Casino Night
Have fun, build community, and support a great cause!
Somerville Childrens Network (SCN) is a 501c3 non-profit created to support diverse, family-friendly, community-building initiatives.
Funds [...]

[ January 27, 2010; 6:30 pm; January 28, 2010; 6:30 pm; February 2, 2010; 6:30 pm; February 3, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] 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 [...]

[ February 2, 2010; 8:30 am to 10:00 am. 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. February 3, 2010; 8:30 am to 10:00 am. 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. ] “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 [...]

[ January 26, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. January 28, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] 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 [...]

[ January 25, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] 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.

[ January 26, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] 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 the comprehensive plan is to improve the quality of life for Somerville’s residents and workers [...]

[ January 30, 2010; 1:30 pm; ] 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, can help improve our community.

This workshop is important it discusses how [...]

[ January 20, 2010; 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. January 21, 2010; 8:30 am; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. January 22, 2010; 8:30 am; ] Thinking about which school is right for your child? Or just interested in learning more about Somerville’s public schools?

This week, all Somerville elementary schools are open for tours on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (January 20-22) from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary; just stop by the schools that interest you.

In my view, [...]

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.
I am eager to learn more about its programs, how they define “success”, [...]

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 [...]

[ January 31, 2010; 2:00 pm; ] 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.

[ January 21, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] My wife saw this message on the Somerville Moms Yahoo list.

Barry

——————————–

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 on the Choice Program’s unique structure and educational [...]

[ January 13, 2010; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ] 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 decided on the Argenziano. It was a great [...]

[ January 21, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] 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 be given [...]

[ January 6, 2010; 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. ] This was posted to the Somerville-4-Schools list on Monday by Consuelo Perez:

—————————————

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 parents and their young children living in Somerville!

When: Wednesday, [...]

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 [...]

[ January 13, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. February 11, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. March 10, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. April 14, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] 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- 6:30-8:30 PM in the SPS Central Offices, 181 [...]

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.
LOCAL NEWS FLASHES – we invite you to announce the following as part of [...]

[ December 16, 2009; ] 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. Students have already raised over $450 that was used to buy [...]

[ December 15, 2009; 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] 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.
Beauty and the [...]

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. [...]

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 [...]

[ November 21, 2009; 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. ] 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).

As you probably know, [...]

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 [...]

[ December 10, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. December 17, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. ] 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 [...]

[ February 4, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. February 5, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. February 6, 2010; 2:00 pm to 4:40 pm. ] 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 $7.00 or $6.00 [...]

[ November 7, 2009; 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] 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.
Ward 6 Aldermen’s race:

Click To Play
Ward 4 School Committee race:

Click To Play
Ward 5 School Committee race:

Click To Play

[ November 28, 2009; 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. ] 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 for so [...]

[ October 13, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] 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 [...]

[ October 15, 2009; 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] 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.

[ October 3, 2009; 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] 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!

[ September 14, 2009; 2:25 pm to 7:00 pm. September 16, 2009; 2:25 pm to 7:00 pm. September 17, 2009; 2:25 pm to 7:00 pm. ] 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 information session: [...]

[ September 13, 2009; 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. ] 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.

[ September 24, 2009; 7:30 am to 8:00 am. ] 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 Charlotte Stephenson (cstephenson@k12.somerville.ma.us) in [...]

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. Prior to the 1959 revolution only 35.1% of [...]

[ September 10, 2009; 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm. ] 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 and unveiling
6:00 [...]

[ August 31, 2009; 6:45 pm; ] 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.

All members of the public are invited to attend on Monday, August 31, 2009 beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers [...]

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

[ September 13, 2009; 3:00 pm; ] 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.

Christine is a hard working community voice for [...]

[ August 27, 2009; 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] Bullying, is it a problem in Somerville-Why or why not? Prevention and how to deal with bullying in school.

[ September 24, 2009; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] 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 health decision [...]

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 to the right [...]

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 from the [...]

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 guards will be posted at:
Bow St. & [...]

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 [...]

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.

[ September 13, 2009; October 25, 2009; ] 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.

Our goal is [...]

[ August 27, 2009; 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] 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

SOMERVILLE CARES ABOUT PREVENTION
50 Evergreen Avenue
Somerville MA 02145

Sponsored by the City of Somerville,

Phone: 617-625-6600 [...]

[ August 2, 2009; 2:00 pm; ] 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)

[ August 4, 2009; 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] 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. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4th starting at 5 pm at Foss Park – activities will begin [...]

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 whose last names [...]

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.

[ July 10, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] 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.

[ August 8, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] 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 for $30,196,052 in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. (The above-linked MAPC document was updated on May 13, 2009. )

1.  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG-R) [...]

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—Teresa Cardoso, one of the members of the School Committee, said “The School Committee is proud to support the rich immigrant population of Somerville.” [...]

[ June 23, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] 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

[ June 17, 2009; 7:30 pm; ] 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.

[ June 20, 2009; 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] 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 don’t have [...]

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. The problem is that there’s no [...]

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 [...]

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 the [...]

[ June 3, 2009; 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. ] 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 are only $10, available in advance or at [...]

[ June 7, 2009; 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] 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 email to Warren Goldstein-Gelb at WarrenGG(at)gmail.com

Link to the Liaison Interpreter Program of [...]

[ June 3, 2009; 7:00 pm; June 10, 2009; 7:30 pm; June 16, 2009; 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 9:00 pm; June 18, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] 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 services. We are [...]

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, they are graduating this year and not going to be with me next year [...]

[ June 4, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] 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 [...]

[ June 24, 2009; ] 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 [...]

…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.

[ June 3, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] 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 on “About [...]

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.

[ May 19, 2009; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ] As announced in the Somerville Journal : What should happen with the former Powder House Community School?

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane invite all interested community members to a public meeting to discuss the Powder House Community School site at 1060 Broadway.

The meeting will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 [...]

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 [...]

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. Even Facebook seems on the decline—not as exciting as when it first took [...]

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.
The proclamation was announced at a youth leadership conference organized by youth leaders from the Jovenes Latinos program [...]

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!
Strategic Communication Community Advisory Group meetings
Every other month on Fridays at 1:00 PM
May 29th
July 30th
September 25th
November 20th
All meetings are at [...]

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.

[ May 3, 2009; 10:00 am; ] 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 [...]

[ May 1, 2009; 10:00 am; ] 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 [...]

[ April 29, 2009 to May 1, 2009. ] 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.

[ April 27, 2009; 7:00 pm to 8:31 pm. ] 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. Proceeds from the sale of [...]

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 SomervilleKidsVoices.org.  [...]

My school, Lynn Classical High School, is not so good right now. The people who built the school built it on a swamp. So the school was sinking for a while. But last year, construction workers came to the school and started to fix it. They’re still not done, but hopefully they will be soon. Other [...]

[ May 16, 2009; 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] 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 Daley.
Don’t [...]

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 school to start later in [...]

How would I change the school? Like many things in life there are two sides to every question, and this is no different. I feel as though the Somerville High School has many flaws that could be patched up in the future. I also think the school has also got some things down right. A number [...]

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 make to [...]

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 ~

My grades were good all my life, up until my freshmen year in high school. In elementary [...]

[ April 20, 2009; 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. ] 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 [...]

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 teens, reflecting [...]

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 in the White House.   [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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. Visit the Guidance and Testing page of the SPS website to learn more. Hyperlink not working? Go to www.somerville.k12.ma.us, click on “About us” then [...]

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. I just wanted to skip and go home to rest for a little while because at 3 P.M, I had to go to a youth program called, “PNM.” I walked [...]

The following writings were submitted today by students in a media class at Somerville High School.
Students at a Disadvantage by BrAus
What would you say if you couldn’t go to college because you had to pay double the amount of money as anyone else?
How about having to freeze in the winter while embarking a long “journey” [...]

[ February 23, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] 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?)
If yes, NOW is the time to think about submitting an application to be entered into the lottery for a seat in this program. ECIP is [...]

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

[ February 24, 2009; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Do any of these issues concern you?

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

The Somerville Public Schools believes that students learn better when they feel safe.

Please join the Somerville Public Schools and its partners from the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations and Middlesex Partnerships for Youth for [...]

[ February 11, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] 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 School Committee [...]

[ February 17, 2009; 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. February 18, 2009; 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. February 19, 2009; 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. February 20, 2009; 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. ] $80 for four days of fun! Breakfast and pizza included.

[ January 31, 2009; 12:00 pm; ] 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 TAP for SAP

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.