OCTOBER CONNECTIONS
October 4, 2022
Ms. Santos Is the 2022 MA History Teacher of the Year!
Meet Our Director of Basic Needs and Housing Support Services
Theatre at Winter Hill Community Innovation School
Did you know that the Winter Hill is the only PreK-8 school in the district where students take Theatre class every week? Teacher Jen Miller and 7th grade students are shown here playing a drama game called Kitty Wants a Corner. Students spent most of this class running through a script about two students experiencing the same loss but within different environments. Students discussed how a person experiences trauma differently depending on their supports, friends, social standing, and family.
School Nursing Supports Students
Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at Schools
Students, families, and staff can get their flu shots at three convenient, school-based vaccine clinics in October at the Winter Hill Community Innovation School (10/11), East Somerville Community School (10/15), and the West Somerville Neighborhood School (10/26). The East Somerville Clinic will also offer COVID-19 vaccines and bivalent booster. Find times and registration links on the SPS Vaccine Clinics page, as well as other convenient locations for vaccines.
Student Art Contest
Somerville Public Schools students in grades K-12 are invited to submit their entries to a poster contest run by the Student Services department to support school attendance. Create a poster that encourages school attendance and gives three (or more) reasons why coming to school is important. The winner in each age-group category will receive a gift card and their poster will be used in a year-long attendance campaign. Submission deadline is October 18, 2022. Learn more on the Student Services website.
In-Person College Fair at SHS
Students in grades 9-12 and their families are welcome to meet representatives from approximately 50 colleges and universities at the Somerville High School College Fair 2022. The fair will be held in the SHS Cafeteria on October 18 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Meeting for Families of Multilingual Learners
Join other families whose children are learning English to make a difference in your child’s education. Organized by the Multilingual Learner Parent Advisory Council (MLPAC). Wednesday, October 12, 2022. 6:30-7:30 p.m. over Zoom. There will be simultaneous translation in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole. Contact your school's Family Liaison or Erica Martinez (617)625-6600 x6096 for more information. Join the meeting: https://bit.ly/3e834dr
Celebrate Safe Routes to School’s iWalk 2022
International Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day is Wednesday, October 12th. Share your iWalk fun by posting photos and videos to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using #MASRTS, #iwalked2022, and #irolled2022. Schools that registered with SRTS will have an event with giveaways like bookmarks and stickers to encourage safe, fun, and active participation. SPS Wellness Champions or administrators will be supporting the celebration at their schools.
Somerville School Committee
If you would like to get more involved with the Somerville School Committee, please visit their website to find meetings and information.
IN AND AROUND SOMERVILLE
Time Is Running Out to Register for the ScrapHeap Showdown!
Jobs for Teens and Tweens!
Volunteer Orientation on October 13
People looking to volunteer in Somerville Public Schools are invited to the next Volunteer Orientation on Thursday, October 13 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Please email our District Volunteer Coordinator to RSVP and get directions to this in-person event.
Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at City Hall Annex
The City of Somerville Health and Human Services department is offering a weekly vaccine clinic. They will offer several vaccines, including the new bivalent COVID-19 booster. The bivalent vaccine combines the original COVID-19 vaccine with an omicron-specific strain. Clinics run most Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00 p.m. starting in October. Registration is required.
Register for Somerville Youth Hockey Programs
Registration is now open for Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey programs for beginner players ages 3-9 and more advanced players ages 9 and up. Programming takes place at Veterans Rink or Founders Rink in Somerville. Need-based financial aid is available as is some equipment. To learn more and register, visit https://www.somervilleyouthhockey.org/lts-ltp.
The Growing Center Harvest Festival
Families are invited to join a festival filled with art, music, nature, and a raffle in the beautiful Somerville Growing Center at 22 Vinal Avenue. This event is free. Sunday, October 16, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Visit their website for rain date and other details: https://www.thegrowingcenter.org.
17th Annual HONK! Festival
HONK! Festival features a weekend of live music culminating in a Sunday parade followed by more performances. Runs October 7-9. Learn more at HONK! Festival or their event page.
Monster Mash
Enjoy a family-friendly City of Somerville SomerStreets celebration on Sunday, October 30 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Somerville Ave. School of HONK will lead a Halloween parade at 2:15 p.m. The festival includes activities for children and adults, live music, food vendors, and more. Find more information on the Somerville Arts Council webpage.
Teen/Tween Events at Somerville Public Library
Somerville Public Library invites teens and tweens to several fun events this fall. Read The Marvellers by Dhoniell Clayton and join their book club, meeting on Monday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. Attend their Divination Fair to explore tarot cards, tea leaf reading, and more on October 19 after school. Visit their Teen/Tween Programs & Events page for more information.
More Transit Benefits: Parent and Guardian MBTA Passes
In addition to free CharlieCards for all grade 7-12 SPS students, school liaisons have identified families who would benefit from transportation support. The City of Somerville is providing some of our parents and guardians with free MBTA passes. These passes will make it easier for guardians to bring children to childcare or school, run errands, and get to medical appointments. Learn more: https://www.somervillema.gov/content/transit-benefits-program.
Evicted Exhibit at Arts at Armory
The Evicted exhibit at Arts at the Armory in Somerville is an immersive exploration of poverty and homelessness. This exhibit is free and open to the public Monday through Wednesday 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Learn more on the CAAS webpage. Read the Boston Magazine article about the exhibit.
Sanctuary City Exhibit at Somerville Museum
The Somerville Museum presents a new exhibition, Sanctuary City. It showcases emerging and accomplished mid-career artists and a variety of media, from installations to award-winning comic books. Artwork addresses themes of immigration and community building. Please note, there is a $5.00 per person entry fee. Open to the public Thursdays 2:00-7:00 p.m., Fridays 2:00-5:00 p.m., and Saturdays 12:00-5:00 p.m. The first Friday of every month is free to the public thanks to funds from the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Learn more at the Somerville Museum website.
Career Opportunities
City of Somerville Jobs
Somerville Public Schools Jobs