November 2, 2022
Apple Picking Adventure for Life Skills and SKIP students
Kennedy students in the Life Skills and SKIP classrooms spent a beautiful October day picking apples with their educators. The Life Skills program serves students across the city in grades K-8, providing them with support in communication, social pragmatics, academic behavior, and navigating relationships with a focus on functional learning that can be applied in the community. SKIP is another citywide program housed at the Kennedy School. It is designed for students in preschool through grade 8 and supports the development of self-help skills, task initiation and completion, safety awareness, and social interaction. Learn more about our Special Education Department.
Somerville Fire Department Visits Chemistry Classes
Somerville Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Anzalone recently taught fire safety to chemistry students at Somerville High School. They learned in the classroom about the fire tetrahedron, then took the class outside where they practiced with fire extinguishers and learned how to deal with a fire in a classroom or at home.
Healey Student Poet performs at Longfellow Poetry House
Eighth grade Healey School poet Stacy performed her original poem at the Longfellow Poetry House in Cambridge last month. Rangers at the Longfellow Poetry House first read her poem when she submitted it to their annual student poetry contest and the poem stood out as a favorite for staff. She was inspired to write the poem after working on an annual poetry unit in English Language Arts teacher Emma Daniels' classroom. Read her poem Black Skin Beauty. Pictured below are Ms. Daniels and Stacy.
WSNS bulletin board gets a beautiful upgrade
West Somerville Neighborhood School eighth grader Lillis painted a beautiful illustration for the bulletin board in front of her school. After walking past the bulletin board daily, she took the initiative to create the school-themed painting for her community. The wolf is the WSNS mascot and the students are part of the WSNS wolfpack. Every morning, school announcements start with "We are back for another day of learning, love, and kindness." Check out Lillis' artwork the next time you visit the West Somerville Neighborhood School.
SHS Student Engineers compete at ScrapHeap Showdown
Congratulations to the Return of the Crimson Quackateers, the winning SHS team at the recent Somerville Mathematics Fund's ScrapHeap Showdown. Teams of 3 SHS students competed with limited scrap materials to build a stable, tall structure with payload that could withstand an earthquake. Learn more about this competition, the competitors, and competition sponsors on the Somerville Mathematics Fund blog.
Congratulations to Our Amazing Staff
Congratulations Veronica Rowlinson, MA Teacher of the Year finalist!
Congratulations to SHS English teacher Veronica Rowlinson for her recognition as a Massachusetts Teacher of the Year finalist by the MA Department of Education. Ms. Rowlinson is an accomplished English teacher and works with the SHS chapter of the National Honors Society. Learn more about this honor at the DOE website.
Congratulations Michelle Kelly, Athletic Trainer of the Year!
Michelle Kelly is the MSSADA Athletic Trainer of the Year! The award is presented annually for exceptional service and unique contributions to the athletic training profession. In the words of Athletic Director Vieira, "Those of you that know Michelle, know how dedicated she has been and continues to be to our students and our community. She is a tireless worker and an amazing resource and we are very lucky to have her here in Somerville." Learn more at the MSSADA website.
Congratulations Michael Morgan, MIAA Tennis Coach of the Year!
SHS math teacher Michael Morgan was named the 2021-2022 MIAA Coach of the Year for Boys Tennis! This award is given for excellence of character, impact upon students, and community and coaching credentials. In addition to coaching the SHS boys tennis team, Mr. Morgan teaches math and runs the Summer Explore program welcoming incoming 9th graders to Somerville High School.
Congratulations Regina Bertholdo, recognized at The 2022 Latino Excellence Awards!
Basic Needs and Housing Support Director Regina Bertholdo was recognized at The Latino Excellence Awards! The 2022 Latino Excellence Awards event is an annual event hosted by the The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to commemorate Latino Community leaders and trailblazers that are moving the needle forward in cities and towns across the state. Director Bertholdo works tirelessly with families and students with acute needs. We are thankful to State Representative Connolly for nominating her. Learn more.
Congratulations Beatriz Thomas, named a 2022 Latinx Amplifier!
SHS history teacher Beatriz Thomas was recognized as one of AmplifyLatinx’s 2022 Latinx Amplifiers. Ms. Thomas was selected from 30 of her peers and dozens of applicants from around the state!
Information for Families
Athletics Registration and Medical Clearance for Winter Sports
If your high school or middle grades student is interested in playing a winter sport, now is the time to register. The high school medical clearance event is November 15 and 16. The middle grades medical clearance event is November 30 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Visit the Athletics Department website to learn more and register. Somerville has waivers for three SHS winter sports teams (Boys Ice Hockey, Girls Basketball, Coed Swim), meaning middle grades students may try out for these teams. Learn more by visiting the Middle Grades Athletics webpage.
Unused Free CharlieCards Expire This Month
Somerville Public Schools gave every students in grades 7-12 a free MBTA CharlieCard. The card comes preloaded for unlimited travel on the bus, subway, and commuter rail zones 1A, 1, and 2. Youth can ride commuter rail zones 3 to 10 for half price with their M7 Card. The student CharlieCards will deactivate automatically if they are not used by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23. Visit the M7 webpage to learn more about this program.
PK and K Enrollment Information Sessions
For families with a child who will start prekindergarten or kindergarten in the fall 2023, there are several opportunities to learn more about the Somerville Public Schools enrollment process. Join one of the information sessions on November 15 or 17. Sessions are online from 9:00-10:00 a.m. or in person from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Visit the Enrollment Office website for more information.
Highlander Theatre Company Production
The amazing Somerville High School Highlander Theatre Company will perform "Into the Woods" this year. Look for tickets to go on sale for the December 1 production in late November. Somerville High School offers theatre classes that cover a wide array of topics from acting to production to playwriting, as well as the Highlander Theatre Company performances. Find the complete list of theatre courses in the SHS Program of Studies.
Food and Nutrition Services
Read the October Food and Nutrition Newsletter. Learn about expanded vegetarian meal offerings and more.
In and Around Somerville
Student Artwork at Somerville Public Library
The Somerville Public Library presents the "Dazzle With SHS" show that includes artwork by several gifted Somerville High School artists. The artwork comes out of a unit about Japanese artist Shigeki Matsuyama taught by SHS Art Teacher Jessica Howard in a Portfolio class, a combined Studio Foundations/Explorations/Innovations class, and a Multilingual Education class. There will be a Gallery Reception on Thursday, November 10 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and the artwork will remain on display for the month of November at the SPL Central Branch, 79 Highland Avenue. Learn more about art offerings at Somerville High School in the Program of Studies.
New Teen Center Opens at Edgerly Building
The Somerville Recreation Department has opened a space just for teens to hang out with their friends in a safe and welcoming environment. It includes gym access, the teen center room, a music room, and a craft/homework room. It is open Monday to Friday from 2:30-8:00 p.m. for kids ages 12-18 at the Edgerly Building, 8 Bonair Street. Go online and register for the teen center to become a member. Membership applications will be available on-site but students will need a parent or guardian signature in order to attend. Teens will need to bring their membership cards when they visit the center. For more information, please contact Jeremy Vallesio at jvallesio@somervillema.gov or at 617-625-6600 x2999.
It's StoryWalk™ Time!
The Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC), a department of Somerville Public Schools, presents StoryWalk™ in Somerville during November. Stop by the East, Capuano, and Winter Hill Schools or Foss Park, Hodgkins-Curtin Park, and the Somerville Public Library to read a fun story together with your young child. Read the flyer to learn more.
Free Community Music Workshop
Learn to play an Afro-Peruvian song with the band Acoustic Nomads. The band invites string players of all ages and abilities. The workshop takes place at Arts at the Armory on Thursday, November 17 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Workshop attendees are eligible for reduced-price or complimentary tickets to the Acoustic Nomads concert that follows the workshop. Learn more and register for the event on the webpage.
Somerville Media Center Youth Programs
Somerville Media Center (SMC), located in Union Square, offers a makerspace, sketch comedy, and meet-up for teens interested in video production. Visit the SMC website to learn more and register.
Free, Gently Used Clothes
MAMAS (Mutual Aid Medford & Somerville) is hosting a free clothing store at the East Somerville Community School Playground on November 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. They will offer mostly winter clothes for all sizes and ages.
Weekly Wednesday COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine Clinic
Residents are invited to get a COVID-19 booster at weekly vaccine clinics through November at the City Hall Annex, 50 Evergreen Avenue. The updated COVID-19 booster is recommended for everyone aged 12 and older. Make an appointment for a booster on the City of Somerville website.