December 7. 2023
Student Supports for Winter
As we move into our New England winter, we have several avenues for supporting our students with needs that may come up at this time of year. Our school district has a tradition of supporting students by working with families to find necessary winter clothing, outerwear, food for festive meals, and gift cards for other food security issues that arise for those in need. Students and families can connect with these resources by reaching out to a school administrator or to our school-based family and community liaisons. There are also local food resources listed on the Somerville Food Coalition website.
Student and Staff Stories
Music and Art Collaboration
Somerville High School art teacher Lindsey Richard, World Percussion teacher Marcus Santos, and photography teacher Stan Marmysh collaborated to bring three classes together on a recent November morning. Studio art students in Ms. Richard’s class painted while Mr. Santos’ class inspired the artists with their drumming. Mr. Marmysh’s student photographers documented the event. Thanks to these teachers for stepping outside their disciplines to give students an amazing experience. Read more about the event in the most recent district blog post.
Battle for the Picket Fence
Somerville High School battled Cambridge Rindge and Latin School at the annual Battle for the Picket Fence on Thanksgiving Day at Russell Field, Cambridge. Somerville lost to Cambridge in this year's showdown, but our Highlanders played their hearts out and we are proud of our home team. Watch the pre-game SHS Fall Sports Rally, highlighting Somerville athletes, thanks to Somerville EdTV.
Connecting Corporate Finance to Personal Finance at SHS
Head of Debt Capital Markets and Structured Debt for UBS BB Investment Bank (and Somerville High School Dad), Mr. Samy Podlubny spoke to the Personal Finance I class at SHS in November. Invited by business teacher Michele Harney, Mr. Podlubny gave a workshop about corporate finance that explained the connection between his work at an international banking institute and students' personal finances. After the formal presentation, he answered questions and talked about his unique career journey.
NW / FC Students and Staff Celebrate Together
Next Wave and Full Circle (NW / FC) held another joyous Thanksgiving dinner for students and alumni on the Wednesday before break. Staff served turkey prepared by the Culinary Arts program students, as well as side dishes. NW / FC is an alternative, therapeutic school community serving students who have experienced academic setbacks. During the pandemic, the school adjusted to an all project-based, cross-curricular model.
Schoolyard Ribbon Cutting at Brown School
The Brown School schoolyard’s community-driven redesign was celebrated on Tuesday November 14 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Additions include a synthetic turf field and basketball and wall ball court, reconstructed drainage system, and resurfacing that make the schoolyard accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Brown School name and logo will be painted in the yard in spring 2024. Watch the ceremony on Somerville EdTV.
Enrollment Information Sessions for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten
Staff and families gathered both online and in person to talk about the school enrollment process and our schools at four separate events. Just shy of 150 parents and guardians attended these sessions. Enrollment is now completely online and will open on January 3, 2024. Thank you to our hardworking staff for putting these sessions together. Please visit the Enrollment Office website to find video recordings and slide decks from the online meetings. Pictured below are families visiting the East Somerville Community School library to learn more about prekindergarten at SPS. The next Open Houses at PK–8 schools, another great way to learn about schools,are today and January 9, 2024.
Kennedy Debate Team
Congratulations Kennedy debate team! The Kennedy School debate team won prizes in all divisions, four team awards, and two individual speaker awards and placed third overall at their inaugural debate tournament. Team leaders David Nurenberg and Sylvana Dinka described the results of the Kennedy/Brown Team as "a mighty accomplishment for any team, especially one with so many students who only began debating this year."
Activities and Resources for Families and Students
Activities listed below are free unless otherwise indicated.
Open Houses at PK–8 Schools. December 7, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in all schools except NW / FC and SHS. Enrollment for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students starts January 3, 2024. There will be another open house event on January 9, 2024.
Tufts Golf Community Youth Clinic. December 9. Grades 3–5, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and Grades 6–8, 12:00–1:00 p.m. at the Tisch Athletic Center, Medford. This is not a drop-off event. Register.
Middle Grades Enrichment Programs. Families looking for enrichment programming for their middle grade student should visit the SomervilleHubConnect website run by the City of Somerville. There is a mix of local programs, and some of them have a fee attached to them.
Train to Become a Paraprofessional. Sign up for a January - June course that includes internship. Sign up at this link and visit the Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE) website for information about other adult education opportunities.
Free Family and Children's Concert: WE Sow, WE Grow. December 9, 1–2:30 p.m. at the Distler Performance Hall, Granoff Music Center, 20 Talbot Ave., Medford. The Tufts Wind Ensemble celebrates nature’s gifts through music. For more info, visit go.tufts.edu/musicevents or call 617-627-2253.