SPS District Newsletter

Look for the inaugural issue of SPS: In Print in shops, public meetings spaces, and other locations around Somerville! SPS: In Print is the new community newspaper that tells great stories from around the district. The first edition features swimming at Kennedy, building houses at Healey, community helpers at Capuano, and some amazing accomplishments at Somerville High School!

Click here.

Long-time Argenziano Physical Education teacher Ms. Kris Savage brought the excitement of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics to life for students. Students learned about traditions, values, global spirit, and sportsmanship. Ms. Savage started her students with an Olympic torch relay where students could run with the 'lit' torch' and represent a country of their choice. Students rotated through a series of events inspired by real Winter Olympic and Paralympic sports, like alpine sled skiing, a moguls‑plus‑ski‑jump challenge, figure skating, speed skating, curling, sled hockey, and the popular team bobsled. Students demonstrated teamwork, sportsmanship, and joy as they tried new challenges and cheered one another on. Students also connected with the Olympic and Paralympic athletes by following Ms. Savage's 'medal tracker', which she updated several times each day.

Capuano prekindergartners made masks and lanterns in anticipation of their Lunar New Year Parade in February. Several classes played musical instruments and noise makers as they marched. Educator Matthew Yiu organized the event and provided learning resources and book recommendations for classrooms that celebrated.

A Somerville High School program connects community members and alumni with current SHS students and families applying for college. In families where students will be the first to go to college, mentors provide valuable insights. Mentors share knowledge and experience about their own journey, and together they develop ideas, explore options, and execute steps that will put the student on the right course - from deadline reminders to guidance on essays, scheduling of college tours, and more. The program in Somerville is five years old. Allison C., a senior at SHS with her eyes on biology and pre-med studies, is one grateful participant. Says Allison, “It gives me so much more information about what's to come in the future and what I can do. It just opened my eyes.”

Students at Winter Hill Community School (WHCIS) had a clear-cut favorite at the New York City Marathon. WHCIS Science instructor and marathoner Tara Beardsley raised more than $5000 in support of the Soccer Without Borders, which operates a very successful program at the school. “I saw the great work Soccer Without Borders was doing with my students, and they needed a coach to help, so I joined (the program).” At WHCIS middle school boys and girls train twice a week in practice and play matches on weekends.

“Teach Me Something: An SPS Podcast” is now streaming on Spotify with the first two episodes of our teacher profiles. Each month, we’ll meet a new teacher who best exemplifies how our educators are impactful on the lives of Somerville students. In February, we began with two great conversations: Jen Leary at Kennedy and Melissa Jouvelakas at Argenziano! You can find all episodes on our website or by searching Spotify. This is a fun way to learn more about Somerville Public Schools, meet our educators, and learn what makes them great teachers.

Congratulations to the four SPS educators honored by the Somerville High School Boys Varsity Hockey Team seniors last week! Team members chose educators who influenced and inspired them during their years at SPS then invited educators to an annual ceremony on the ice at the February 18th game before puck drop. The Highlanders celebrated teachers Matt Waldman (CTE), Gino Colantuono (World Languages), Jim McGrath (CTE), and Dan Bachman (Math). Thank you to hockey parent Caroline Rosas for organizing this wonderful event in recent years.

Grades 6 to 8 are invited to sign up for Outdoor Track and Field or Flag Football. Registration is open until April 8. Please visit the Middle Grades Athletics webpage for more information. 8th grade students are also invited to try out for the Somerville High School baseball or softball teams and may contact the high school team coaches for more information.

Learn more about the process to build a new SPS school at the City of Somerville's new school webpage. You can sign up to receive a monthly project newsletter or plan to join upcoming community design workshops.

#ICYMI you can watch yesterday evening's forum at the City of Somerville EdTV channel here. Mayor Wilson and Superintendent Carmona shared an overview of the project and process. City staff and project architects, Perkins Eastman, presented the work done so far, shared preliminary design options, and discussed next steps followed by community questions and feedback.

March 4, 6:00 p.m. SPS provides several free, enrichment clubs at our K–8 schools district-wide. Find club catalogs and instructions for enrollment on our OST Clubs webpage. All clubs are free and are open to children who are not already enrolled in afterschool through SPS Community Schools or Apollo.

March 5, 5–7:00 p.m. in the East Somerville Community School gymnasium, 50 Cross St. Plan your child's summer by learning about local programs. Visit the webpage for more information coming soon, including a summer programs guide for families who miss the event or want to review their options. This event is a collaboration between the SFLC Department of SPS and the Somerpromise Department of the City of Somerville.

March 8, 1:00–4:00 p.m. at the Joyce Cummings Center at Tufts University, 177 College Ave, Medford, 02155. Read by the River is a free, reading-themed carnival for families and children in grades K–5 that features activities led by student organizations, story time with a surprise guest, and more. Children must be accompanied by a parent at all times. Paid parking is available. This event is run by Tufts Hillel. Learn more.

March 12, 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross Street. Join a workshop called "Introduction to the Office of Housing Stability" and learn about tenant rights and tips to search for affordable housing. Register. The City of Somerville can provide interpretation for free. To request an interpreter, please contact languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of the event. SPS department SFLC is supporting the Office of Housing Stability in this event.

Don't miss the Somerville High School Highlander Theatre Production Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower. It follows the story of Wendy, friend to Peter Pan, after she returns from Neverland. Performed in the SHS Centennial Auditorium, 81 Highland Avenue. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. Purchase tickets.

Showtimes:

Late March. We are finalizing details for a wonderful summer filled with activities for all our students. Keep your eyes on your email inboxes for information about enrolling in the SPS Community Schools' Adventure Summer Program. Additionally, details for our free, open enrollment programs will be available on our summer programs webpage in the next few weeks.

After four snow days, we've updated our school year 2025–2026 calendar. As always, this calendar is available on our website.

The school year calendar for next year is now available on the SPS website for download and viewing in English. Translated calendars will be available soon. The first day of school for students in grades 1 to 12 will be August, 31, 2026. Students in prekindergarten and kindergarten start September 2, 2026.

Check out this year's district newsletters here: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/newsletter