SPS District Newsletter

Youngsters are eager to dive (or, at least, cautiously wade) into the district’s swim program, many for the first time in their lives. Learn about our swim curriculum and the classes held at the Ginny Smithers Pool in the Kennedy School building in the district blog post.

This is Somerville's third year in a row to qualify for the High School Quiz Show, placing the team in the top 17 schools in Massachusetts. Watch the nail-biting excitement when the episode airs on WGBH and YouTube on February 21. If you would like to watch the live taping as part of the studio audience on January 24, click here. Go #SHSHighlanders! Photo credit © Elizabeth Friar/GBH

A class at Next Wave / Full Circle (NWFC) read "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" last trimester. Students then conducted interviews with each other, acting as the characters from the book, and tried to solve the mystery. They created music and visuals, then turned their work into a 40-minute podcast. Several of the students had never read a book from beginning to end and this project turned them into daily readers! Listen to a short two-minute clip of the podcast. NWFC serves students in grades 6-12 on a trimester calendar through cross-curricular, project-based learning in a tight-knit and therapeutic environment.

For the second time in a row, the Kennedy Middle School Debate Team was the top school at the Boston Debate League Tournament. These results are a testament to the hard work put forth by debaters and coach Aine Blanchard. The Kennedy team will move on to the next middle school tournament in early February at Boston Latin Academy.

SPS Families,

One of the four priorities of our strategic plan is a strong and ongoing commitment to family and community engagement. We believe that our best decisions are made when they are shaped not only by data and professional expertise, but also by the insights and aspirations of the students and families we serve. Listening carefully and engaging authentically with our community helps ensure that our policies, programs, and practices reflect shared values and respond to the needs of our students.

In the coming weeks and months, Somerville Public Schools looks forward to hosting a number of events designed to foster meaningful collaboration and open conversation between families and staff. These opportunities allow us to learn from one another, strengthen relationships, and build trust across our school community.

Be sure to check the new “Happenings” page on our website for upcoming workshops and learning sessions focused on curriculum, the new school building project, multilingualism, and more. We deeply value the chance to work hand in hand with parents, caregivers, and community partners as true partners in education—supporting our students, informing our decision-making, and helping to shape clear, equitable pathways forward so that every learner can thrive.

Dr. Rubén Carmona

Superintendent of Schools

The Construction Advisory Group (CAG) worked together through a 13-month-long process, reviewing a wide range of data and information provided by the City of Somerville and Somerville Public Schools. More than 2,400 community members shared their perspectives through focus groups and a survey. On December 31, the City of Somerville shared CAG recommendations for the new school building, including location and size. Read a summary of the recommendation here. Read more about the recommendation process here. Learn about the MSBA funding application process and schedule here.

Students in grades 6 to 8 are invited to register to play Flag Football or Outdoor Track and Field. Visit the webpage to learn more. Registration opens February 2.

Any activities listed below are free, unless otherwise indicated.

January 2 - February 13, 2026. Enroll your eligible child during our 'priority' enrollment period for the 2026-2027 school year. Importantly, students currently enrolled in SPS prekindergarten will need to be enrolled in order to attend Kindergarten. Visit our Enrollment Office website for more information about eligibility and instructions on enrollment.

January 27. Families and residents are invited to one final tour date. Drop in and join tours at 9, 10, 11am or 12pm at any of our PK-8 schools on January 27, 2026. Please visit our school tours page to learn more.

January 13, 2026. 6:00-7:30pm, East Somerville Community School. Join parents of multilingual learners and discuss students' social and academic needs. This is a great opportunity to meet other families, build leadership skills, and enjoy great conversation. Dinner and child care will be provided. Please email Gladys Valle with your questions.

January 15. 10:00-11:00am. Meet SPS Special Education Department administrators and IEP Team Leaders, ask questions and learn more about the Special Education Department Visit the Somerville Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) website for more information. This meeting is on Zoom, Meeting ID: 819 0608 3504.

January 15, 7:00 pm. Somerville High School will host district 8th graders and their families for a 60-minute virtual “Get Ready for SHS” event. Students and families will learn how to prepare for the transition to high school, about course scheduling, graduation requirements, and more. Online Meeting Link.

January 15 & 21. Curriculum Department staff are hosting two 90-minute, in-person events to provide parents and guardians with a new perspective on enhancements to the academic framework, with particular focus on Mathematics and English Language. Hear how your child is learning "new" math at school, and how the new ELA curriculum is introduced at different grade levels. Parents will also learn strategies to support their child's learning at home. Upon request, interpretation in available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole. Join the Introduction to K-8 Math and ELA Curriculum.:

• Thursday, January 15 at 5:30pm at the Healey School Register
• Wednesday, January 21 at 8:30am at the Kennedy School Register

January 16 sign up deadline. SPS seeks parents and guardians to serve on the Screening Committee and/or Interview Team for the next Director of Student Services for SPS. The Director of Student Services provides district-wide leadership to ensure all students have equitable access to safe, supportive, and effective academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports. This role oversees programs and services related to student safety, well-being, civil rights, mental health, behavioral support, crisis response, restorative practices, and alternative education pathways. If you are interested, please ensure your availability for the required dates/times in the forms and submit your interest by Friday, January 16th at noon:

Director of Student Services - Screening Committee Interest Form
Director of Student Services - Interview Team Interest Form

Thank you in advance for considering participation in this important process. We really appreciate your help ensuring these teams are representative of the diverse roles, schools, perspectives, and individuals of our school community!

January 17. 11:00am at Somerville High School. The City of Somerville is hosting its annual MLK Day Event including arts and crafts, performances, poetry, music and refreshments. Everyone is invited. Learn more and find the rain date information here.

January 18. SHS Girls Basketball plays at 12pm and the Boys Basketball plays 1:30pm at the annual Tufts Basketball Classic games. Admission and parking are free. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food and personal hygiene products to support Medford’s Mystic Community Market and Somerville’s Project Soup. The winner of each game will receive the coveted Tufts Classic trophy. More details on the event webpage.

January 22 & 27. Explore early language acquisition in children raised in multilingual families during the interactive 90-minute virtual Bilingualism in Early Childhood Workshop for parents and guardians. Topics will include: Understanding bilingual and multilingual development in early childhood; myths and facts about raising multilingual children; code-switching and language mixing; strategies for supporting speakers of more than one language at home; creating language-rich home and community environments; and, strengthening parent confidence in maintaining home languages. Register for the workshop on Thursday, January 22 at 7pm (English) or Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30pm (Spanish).

January 27, 7:00 pm. Somerville Public Schools uses a computer-based, formative assessment system called “i-Ready." Students in Grades 3-8 are assessed through i-Ready three times per year. Educators use the collected data to inform classroom instruction that promotes academic growth. Join an hour-long i-Ready Virtual Information Session for parents and guardians interested in how this platform drives SPS instructional practices. Register for the Zoom session

January 29, 30, 31. Between the Lines is an empowering and enchanting story for anyone who has struggled to find their place in the world. An outsider in a new town and a new school who seeks comfort in the pages of her favorite book. As the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur in extraordinary ways, the protagonist realizes her dreams in the real world are worth fighting for. Find more information and purchase tickets or a program advertisement at the Somerville Highlander Theatre website.

Watch student performances on the winter concerts playlist or catch a game on the Somerville Highlanders Athletics playlist. Thank you Somerville City TV department!

Students are encouraged to start their days with a healthy, nutritious, and free breakfast in our schools. Daily menu.

Dates and times for school committee meetings are listed on the SPS district website calendar. Visit the School Committee website for information and find meeting details on the City of Somerville Events page.

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