Press Releases and Other Media
11/21/2024 Somerville Public Schools Art Teacher May Chau to be Honored with 2024 MassArt Common Good Award
Massachusetts College of Art names SPS Art Educator and K-12 Supervisor of Visual Arts, May Chau one of six recipients of the Frances Euphemia Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Release prepared by Wilder Strategies on behalf of MassART.
11/15/2024 SPS Director of Student Services Receives Director Innovator Award for Excellence in Social-Emotional Education
Global nonprofit and leading social-emotional provider Committee for Children selected Liz Doncaster as one of the 2024 recipients of its distinguished Second Step Educator of the Year Awards and first-ever District Innovator Award.
11/07/2024 Open Houses, Tours Planned in Advance of SY 25-26 Enrollment
The annual school enrollment period for PK and K students will open on January 3, 2025, and SPS staff are gearing up to make sure Somerville families are ready and able to enroll students.
The annual school enrollment period for PK and K students will open on January 3, 2025, and SPS staff are gearing up to make sure Somerville families are ready and able to enroll students.
10/24/2024 SPS Celebrates Massachusetts STEM Week by Announcing Expansion of STEM Middle Grades Programming
This year, SPS is expanding programming for middle grades students to include a STEM-focused look at Climate Change technologies and solutions. The Climate Change Clubs will launch at all K–8 schools for students in grades 6–8.
This year, SPS is expanding programming for middle grades students to include a STEM-focused look at Climate Change technologies and solutions. The Climate Change Clubs will launch at all K–8 schools for students in grades 6–8.
09/27/2024 MCAS Scores for Somerville Public Schools Remain Relatively Stable from 2023
SPS has seen relatively stable MCAS scores compared to the previous school year. Overall, the district saw improvements in 5th grade and 8th grade science compared to the previous school year, a particular highlight for SPS given recent investments in science and computer science curriculum and enrichment.
SPS has seen relatively stable MCAS scores compared to the previous school year. Overall, the district saw improvements in 5th grade and 8th grade science compared to the previous school year, a particular highlight for SPS given recent investments in science and computer science curriculum and enrichment.
Families of students in grades PK-5 who are interested in enrolling their students in the SPS Afterschool Program should complete the online registration form during this period in order to be part of the enrollment lottery for School Year 2024-2025.
Bosch, Bruins joining forces to empower careers in skilled trades, will donate power tools for students in Carpentry Program. Carpentry students will repurpose broken hockey sticks to be used in online auctions, with funds benefiting SHS and empowering careers in trades.
01/10/2024 Enrollment for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten for 2024-2025 School Year Now Open
Families who enroll by the February 23, 2024 deadline are eligible for the first round of school assignments.
12/13/2023 MSBA Invites Somerville into Eligibility Period, Advancing the City's Proposal for a New K-8 School
Somerville is one step closer to a new school building, thanks to a vote by the MSBA to invite the Somerville Public Schools into MSBA's Eligibility Period.
11/09/2023 Open Houses, School Tours Planned in Advance of Enrollment for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten for 2024-2025 School Year
The Somerville Public Schools’ (SPS) annual school enrollment period for prekindergarten and kindergarten students will open on January 3, 2024, and SPS staff are gearing up to make sure Somerville families are ready and able to enroll students.
11/01/2023 Somerville Celebrates Family Literacy Month with Exciting Events and Activities
Several engaging events and activities will make Family Literacy Month in Somerville truly special: Story Walks, Intergenerational Family Story Time, and access to multilingual books at multiple locations.
09/25/2023 2023 MCAS Scores Show Continued Academic Recovery in Somerville Public Schools
The district continues to show progress toward its targets and has seen incremental increases in Student Growth Percentiles on assessments.
Today the U.S. Department of Education named Somerville's John F. Kennedy School as one of 353 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023.
05/24/2023 SHS Students Qualify for the Massachusetts DESE Seal of Biliteracy at Graduation
22 seniors and 11 juniors from SHS will earn the prestigious Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Seal of Biliteracy. Students qualify for the Seal through testing, and then earn the Seal at graduation.
22 seniors and 11 juniors from SHS will earn the prestigious Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Seal of Biliteracy. Students qualify for the Seal through testing, and then earn the Seal at graduation.
04/10/2023 School Committee Selects Dr. Carmona as Next Superintendent of Schools
Following a months-long search process, at their meeting on Monday, April 10th, the Somerville School Committee selected Dr. Rubén Carmona to serve as the next Superintendent of the Somerville Public Schools. Dr. Carmona was one of four finalists who participated in site visits and public interviews during the week of March 27th.
Following a months-long search process, at their meeting on Monday, April 10th, the Somerville School Committee selected Dr. Rubén Carmona to serve as the next Superintendent of the Somerville Public Schools. Dr. Carmona was one of four finalists who participated in site visits and public interviews during the week of March 27th.
03/31/2023 Collaborative Conference Group to Visit SHS as Part of Ongoing Accreditation Process
Five educators from outside the Somerville Public Schools district will conduct an on-site Collaborative Conference visit to SHS on April 11 and 12, 2023. The Collaborative Conference is the next step in the Accreditation process conducted by the NEASC.
Five educators from outside the Somerville Public Schools district will conduct an on-site Collaborative Conference visit to SHS on April 11 and 12, 2023. The Collaborative Conference is the next step in the Accreditation process conducted by the NEASC.
03/28/2023 One Somerville, Every Child; Somerville Celebrates the "Week of the Young Child" on Wednesday, April 12th
Somerville parents, children, and educators are invited to celebrate the Week of the Young Child from April 10 to 14, 2023, including the One Somerville, Every Child celebration on the Somerville High School concourse (81 Highland Avenue) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on April 12.
Somerville parents, children, and educators are invited to celebrate the Week of the Young Child from April 10 to 14, 2023, including the One Somerville, Every Child celebration on the Somerville High School concourse (81 Highland Avenue) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on April 12.
03/09/2023 Mass General Brigham's Donations to SPS, SFLC Provide Winter Clothing and Items for Students in Need
Earlier this winter, the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative's Clothing Closet volunteers received a generous donation from Mass General Brigham that provided the Somerville Public Schools with winter clothing for students in need.
Earlier this winter, the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative's Clothing Closet volunteers received a generous donation from Mass General Brigham that provided the Somerville Public Schools with winter clothing for students in need.
03/07/2023 School Committee Selects Screening & Interview Team for Superintendent Search Process
The Somerville School Committee announced the members of the new Screening & Interview Team for the Superintendent Search process. The Team includes representatives from the School Committee as well as SPS administrators, educators, and community members.
The Somerville School Committee announced the members of the new Screening & Interview Team for the Superintendent Search process. The Team includes representatives from the School Committee as well as SPS administrators, educators, and community members.
02/24/2023 Mass Cultural Council Grants Support Arts Enrichment Opportunities in SPS
Thanks to the work and advocacy of several SPS educators, the district recently received grants totaling $30,000 from Mass Cultural Council through its STARS Residency Program.
Thanks to the work and advocacy of several SPS educators, the district recently received grants totaling $30,000 from Mass Cultural Council through its STARS Residency Program.
02/17/2023 School Committee Opts to Relaunch Superintendent Search Process
The School Committee voted to immediately reopen the application process for a new Superintendent of Schools. The School Committee hopes to select a new Superintendent by July 2023, in advance of the new school year.
The School Committee voted to immediately reopen the application process for a new Superintendent of Schools. The School Committee hopes to select a new Superintendent by July 2023, in advance of the new school year.
02/17/2023 Somerville High School Musicians Represent City, SPS at State Music Events
SHS students are representing SPS at the state level, thanks to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA). In November 2022, student musicians auditioned successfully to participate in the MMEA Eastern District Music Festival.
SHS students are representing SPS at the state level, thanks to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA). In November 2022, student musicians auditioned successfully to participate in the MMEA Eastern District Music Festival.
02/06/2023 Two SHS Students Recognized for National Achievements
Two SHS students recently received academic recognition at the national level, in competition with top national and international high school peers.
Two SHS students recently received academic recognition at the national level, in competition with top national and international high school peers.
01/30/2023 Superintendent Finalists Announced
Three finalists for the open Superintendent position were announced at a special meeting on January 30th, 2023. The Somerville School Committee’s Superintendent Search Screening Subcommittee announced that it has narrowed the pool of 27 applicants down to three finalists: Kevin McCaskill (Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Boston Public Schools), Marisa Mendonsa, (Deputy Superintendent, Pittsfield Public Schools), Jannell D. Pearson-Campbell (Interim Superintendent, Northampton Public School).
01/25/2023 School Committee to Announce Final Candidates for New SPS Superintendent on Monday, 1/30
Following an extensive search process and using feedback from more than 400 SPS community members, the Somerville School Committee and the Somerville Superintendent Screening Subcommittee are set to announce the candidates that will advance to the second and final round of the interview process.
Following an extensive search process and using feedback from more than 400 SPS community members, the Somerville School Committee and the Somerville Superintendent Screening Subcommittee are set to announce the candidates that will advance to the second and final round of the interview process.
12/22/2022 Generous Clothing Donations from Area Business, Organizations Support Somerville Families This Winter
The SFLC's Clothing Closet recently received a number of donations from local businesses and organizations, making it possible for SFLC and the Somerville Public Schools to distribute quality clothing, footwear, and other items to Somerville students struggling with basic needs.
The SFLC's Clothing Closet recently received a number of donations from local businesses and organizations, making it possible for SFLC and the Somerville Public Schools to distribute quality clothing, footwear, and other items to Somerville students struggling with basic needs.
12/08/2022 SPS Educators, Staff Recognized by Regional, State, and National Organizations in 2022
Six members of the SPS staff were recognized for outstanding work by regional, state, and national organizations in 2022. Awards went to teachers at SHS, our Athletics staff, and to the Director of the SPS' newly-formed Office of Basic Needs and Housing Support.
Six members of the SPS staff were recognized for outstanding work by regional, state, and national organizations in 2022. Awards went to teachers at SHS, our Athletics staff, and to the Director of the SPS' newly-formed Office of Basic Needs and Housing Support.
12/08/2022 SPS Students, Families, Staff Invited to Take Online Survey to Help Inform Superintendent Search
A new, online community survey as part of the SPS Superintendent Search process is now live. The survey is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. A survey in Haitian Creole will be available soon. To access the surveys, visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us/superintendent-search.
A new, online community survey as part of the SPS Superintendent Search process is now live. The survey is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. A survey in Haitian Creole will be available soon. To access the surveys, visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us/superintendent-search.
12/01/2022 SPS Superintendent Search Officially Underway; Community Member Input Sought Through Public Listening Sessions, Community Survey
The School Committee officially launched the search for Somerville's next Superintendent of Schools in November with the selection of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to lead the district's Superintendent search process.
The School Committee officially launched the search for Somerville's next Superintendent of Schools in November with the selection of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to lead the district's Superintendent search process.
11/30/2022 Open Houses, School Tours Planned in Advance of 2023-2024 School Year Enrollment
The SPS annual school enrollment period for PreK and K students opens on January 4, 2023, and SPS staff are gearing up to make sure Somerville families are ready and able to enroll students.
The SPS annual school enrollment period for PreK and K students opens on January 4, 2023, and SPS staff are gearing up to make sure Somerville families are ready and able to enroll students.
11/04/2022 School Committee Seeking Community Members for Superintendent Screening Committee
The Somerville School Committee is hiring a new superintendent to lead Somerville Public Schools. The School Committee is seeking three individuals - a parent/guardian, an educator, and a school administrator, all from the Somerville Public School district - to serve on the Superintendent Screening Committee. See more info on the Superintendent Search webpage.
The Somerville School Committee is hiring a new superintendent to lead Somerville Public Schools. The School Committee is seeking three individuals - a parent/guardian, an educator, and a school administrator, all from the Somerville Public School district - to serve on the Superintendent Screening Committee. See more info on the Superintendent Search webpage.
Parents and guardians of SHS students, and other interested community members, are invited to assist in a Self-Reflection which is currently being conducted by SHS's professional staff as part of the accreditation process for the school. Volunteers will help assess the school's alignment to the Standards for Accreditation. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Lisa Brewster-Cook at lbrewster@k12.somerville.ma.us by November 30, 2022.
Former SHS athlete and U.S. Olympian, Phil Reavis, Sr. paid a visit to his alma mater on October 27 to tour the new high school field house and gym. Reavis, a graduate of the class of 1954, rose to international acclaim for his skill in track and field as a high jumper. After winning local and national titles as an SHS student, Reavis was recruited by Villanova University and went on to win collegiate titles and compete in the 1956 Olympic games. Reavis placed seventh in the Olympics that year. Recently, the City's Memorialization Committee voted to name the yet-to-be-built athletic field at SHS in Reavis' honor.
SHS plans to seek formal accreditation by the NEASC. Public Schools have the option of seeking accreditation every 10 years. According to the NEASC website, accreditation is an ongoing, voluntary cycle of both internal and external assessments, planning, and reporting that allows schools to meet their unique goals while maintaining alignment with research-based standards that define characteristics of high quality, effective learning communities.
The History Teacher of the Year Award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American History teachers from each state. Presented by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K-12 history education.
Today the MBTA and Somerville Public Schools (SPS) announced the expansion of the City’s M7 program, which launched last school year at the high school level. This year, all SPS students in grades 7-12 will be provided with M7 cards, or M7s, which are MBTA Student CharlieCards that are pre-loaded with monthly passes for the school year and are paid for by SPS. Students with an M7 card can ride the subway, buses, and up to Zone 2 of the Commuter Rail at no cost from the date of distribution through June 30, 2023.
The Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative funding supports the advancement of the city’s mixed delivery early education and care systems work in fiscal year 2023. This work will focus on three program priority areas: expanding access to quality affordable preschool by supporting enrollment and staffing efforts; building locally aligned program quality through professional development and coaching as well as instructional materials; and the equitable access to special education and inclusion through targeted staffing and consulting support.
08/01/2022 Somerville Public Schools Awarded $10,000 “It Gets Better” Grant
The It Gets Better Project recently announced that Somerville Public Schools (SPS) has been awarded a “50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices” grant. Somerville Public Schools will use the funds to support LGBTQIA+ students by providing our district’s Gender/Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) with materials, event funding, and inclusive and representative books for school libraries.
The It Gets Better Project recently announced that Somerville Public Schools (SPS) has been awarded a “50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices” grant. Somerville Public Schools will use the funds to support LGBTQIA+ students by providing our district’s Gender/Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) with materials, event funding, and inclusive and representative books for school libraries.
06/16/2022 Somerville School Committee to Vote on New 3-Year Agreement with SEU Units A and C
After seven months of collaboration and negotiation, the Somerville School Committee and the Somerville Educators Union (SEU) Units A and C reached an agreement on a bold and innovative proposed new 3-year contract. The new agreement reflects a joint commitment to creating a professional environment that reflects our values as a District, is equity-focused, and is grounded in doing what is best for students. The School Committee will take up a vote and is expected to approve the agreement at their Regular School Committee Meeting on Monday, June 27th.
After seven months of collaboration and negotiation, the Somerville School Committee and the Somerville Educators Union (SEU) Units A and C reached an agreement on a bold and innovative proposed new 3-year contract. The new agreement reflects a joint commitment to creating a professional environment that reflects our values as a District, is equity-focused, and is grounded in doing what is best for students. The School Committee will take up a vote and is expected to approve the agreement at their Regular School Committee Meeting on Monday, June 27th.
06/13/2022 SPS Awarded $100,000 Cummings Foundation Grant
Somerville Public Schools is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation's $25 Million Grant Program. SPS will receive a $25,000 award in the next school year, renewable annually for three additional years, to provide adventure-based programming for target student populations.
Somerville Public Schools is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation's $25 Million Grant Program. SPS will receive a $25,000 award in the next school year, renewable annually for three additional years, to provide adventure-based programming for target student populations.
Starting Monday, April 4th, Somerville will join communities across the nation in celebrating the Week of the Young Child. Sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Week of the Young Child is a way to celebrate young children and the important role that early education plays in preparing our youngest learners for a lifetime of success.
12/13/2021 Somerville Launches "Together" Public Engagement Campaign to Support Student Mental and Social-Emotional Health
City and Somerville Public Schools officials today announced the launch of a public engagement campaign to bring greater attention to the challenges facing Somerville children and adolescents in mental health and social-emotional wellness, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
City and Somerville Public Schools officials today announced the launch of a public engagement campaign to bring greater attention to the challenges facing Somerville children and adolescents in mental health and social-emotional wellness, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
03/20/2021 Somerville Public Schools Announces Four Finalists for Somerville High School Principal Position
Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper is pleased to announce that the Somerville High School Principal Search Screening Committee has forwarded the names of four finalists out of an initial slate of 33 applicants, for consideration as the school's next principal.
03/09/2021 Healey School Focuses on Student Creativity with Receipt of Somerville Arts Council Grant Awards
This spring, thanks in part to Somerville Arts Council grants, the Healey School has several creative projects planned that will help bring students together through art.
03/01/2021 Tiered Focused Monitoring Review scheduled for week of March 8: Special Education/Civil Rights, Multilingual Learner Education
During the week of March 8, 2021 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will conduct Tiered Focused Monitoring Reviews of Somerville Public Schools' Multilingual Learner Education Program as well as the district's Special Education Program/Civil Rights protocols, as part of DESE's routine review cycles and scheduled visits.
By the end of next week, Somerville Public Schools officials anticipate that close to 100% of families in the district will have internet access, thanks to intense and coordinated efforts by SPS and other City staff members, working in partnership with local service provider, Comcast. The district received a COVID 19 Assistance grant from the Somerville Job Creation and Retention Trust to support closing the digital divide for SPS students. This will allow students to access online learning while schools are closed for the rest of the academic year.