Tiger Pause

Teamwork, Integrity, Growth mindset, Empathy, Respect

The first few weeks of school have been a whirlwind of excitement, energy, and new routines! Students are finding their rhythm, reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones, while classrooms are buzzing with curiosity and learning.

It’s been wonderful to see our community come together—teachers setting the stage for a year of growth, students jumping into challenges with enthusiasm, and families supporting every step along the way.

Of course, the start of the year always brings a mix of adjustment and discovery, but the foundation is strong and the momentum is building. We’re off to a fantastic start, and we can’t wait to see all the learning, laughter, and successes that the rest of the year will bring!

Below, you’ll also see the Somerville Public Schools Strategic Plan. At the Kennedy, we are proud to not only embrace this vision but to bring it to life—through action, dedication, and a shared commitment to creating the best possible experience for our students. Together, we will make this year truly remarkable.

We are looking forward to greeting you and having you learn about the teachers and programs that the Kennedy is providing for your students. Linked below is the flyer for the open house. Please mark this date on your calendars.

Back to School Night_Open House Sept 2025.pdf

2025-2026 School Supply Lists

English: https://tinyurl.com/25-26KDYSupply

Spanish: https://tinyurl.com/ESP25-26KDYSupply

Portuguese: https://tinyurl.com/POR25-26KDYSupply

Haitian Creole: https://tinyurl.com/HC25-26KDYSupply

Our PTA is a vital support to our school and we would love you to become a member. Here is how:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AAPTOYTuuMbh5FOVtsm78wTs4dDdn2lX5nVJx5eb7k4/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you to our PTA for sponsoring our back to school ice cream social. It was a huge success. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers. A shout out to Mr. George for DJ'ing the event as well.

Here is some information from the SEPAC

Their mission is to facilitate communication between students, parents, community members, administrators, and the School Committee, for the purpose of improving the quality of district-wide special education policies, programs, and practices. The Somerville SEPAC offers the opportunity to raise questions, to voice your concerns, and to provide direct input to administrators regarding Special Education.

Their Vision: A public school system with equal access to student opportunities and education for students with disabilities, where all students' needs are met and are supported in realizing their full potential. Here is their latest newsletter and website link:

English

Spanish

Portuguese

Haitian Creole

Somerville SEPAC Officers

Liz Eldridge (Chair)

Kathleen Hornby(Co-Chair)

Shu Talun (Secretary)

SEPAC Website

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This is a statement regarding i-Ready from the district:

“Dear Families and Caregivers, Somerville Public Schools uses the formative assessment system called “i-Ready.” i-Ready is a low-stakes, computer-based assessment program that all students in grade 3-8 take three times per year. The sole purpose of i-Ready is to help our educators collect data on how students are performing in order to drive instruction in the classroom. It also shows students’ academic growth over time. We will be sharing information from these assessments starting in October.”

What is the SSC?

The School Site Council (SSC) is a team of elected Kennedy staff and families who work together to guide and oversee our School Improvement Plan. At the Kennedy, the SSC ensures that our goals and resources align with the district’s vision This is an open meeting, meaning all are welcome. Those who are active participants may need to be voted in as voting members for decision making purposes. All meetings have a published agenda, followed up by minutes for public record.

Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop & Update the Plan – Create and revise Kennedy’s School Improvement Plan.

✅ Assess & Set Priorities – Use student data (MCAS, i-Ready, classroom performance) to target areas of

need.

✅ Monitor Progress – Track strategies and evaluate impact on learning.

✅ Allocate Resources – Guide funding, including Title I, to support student growth.

✅ Shared Leadership – Strengthen collaboration among staff, families, and community

Please consider joining this school year.