SPS District Newsletter

Excited kindergarteners wrapped up a unit that worked on counting to 100 through tasks like putting 100 objects onto artwork. The annual celebration includes walking through the number 100 to go into the cafeteria, where students had story time and other 100-themed activities.

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The city is planning a new building at 115 Sycamore street and is looking for input from the community. Don't miss the Community Forum on March 3 from 6–8:00 p.m. at Somerville High School's Highlander Forum, 81 Highland Ave. This event will be an opportunity for all community members to learn about the project and provide feedback. Somerville is currently applying for funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to help finance the project. Find information about the MSBA funding application process, schedule, and project updates on the City of Somerville new school page.

Congratulations to Tad and Matteus, student artists at SHS who were selected as national winners at the Scholastic Art Awards! Their art will be on display at The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference. Somerville High School students entered and won Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards in record numbers this year. Six talented artists were named Gold Key winners and advanced to the National level of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Go #SHSHighlanders!

Somerville High School earned a place on the AP® School Honor Roll for the 2024-25 school year. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success. AP classes (Advanced Placement) are rigorous, college-level high school courses developed by the College Board. Go #SHSHighlanders students and educators!

Students at the Argenziano had some enthusiastic feedback for their cafeteria staff and they expressed it through notes and pictures. In the words of Food and Nutrition Services Department Director Lauren Mancini, "these drawings from students at the Argenziano School remind us that school meals are about more than food—they’re about care, comfort, and connection." Thank you to our Argenziano students for sharing their creativity and appreciation, and to our Food & Nutrition Services staff who show up every day to nourish our school community.

The SHS Dance Company started its second season in January. This free, afterschool arts program is for Somerville teens with a passion and interest in dance. Dancers work on their skills, perform at the annual SHS Dance Concert, and build a positive sense of community. There's still time for interested students to join by contacting dance teacher Ava Majumder.

Enrollment staff have been working non-stop to make sure every eligible child in Somerville has the chance to attend school. This work includes an in-person enrollment event at the East Somerville Community School where multilingual staff helped families through the online enrollment process. And don't forget - now is the time to enroll your younger children in prekindergarten and kindergarten. Start at the Enrollment Office webpage.

Every second grader in SPS got an invitation to attend an exciting musical theater performance of an adaptation of the well-loved book, “Library Lion,” performed by Adam Theater. The field trip was a wonderful way for our students to experience storytelling through the magic of live theater and they had a fantastic time engaging with the performance. We want to extend our thanks to Tufts University for grant funding and to the ESCS PTA for funding a second bus for their students!

Learn how our students in grades Kindergarten to 5 are developing crucial math skills in the classroom. We use Illustrative Math, a problem-based method for teaching math to students. Watch our new video for a deep dive into curriculum.

February 12 at 8:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Stop by Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave., for a presentation and tour in our state-of-the-art facilities. Everyone is welcome. Learn more.

Until 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.

February 16–20. Schools are closed all week and offices will be closed on Monday for Presidents Day. Students return to school on February 23.

February 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Meet other multilingual families, bring a dish to share and enjoy dinner together in the East Somerville Community School Cafeteria. MLPAC is the Multilingual Learners Parent Advisory Council. Multilingual event fliers.

February 26, 6:30 p.m. City staff invite you to attend a virtual community meeting for the Kennedy School Playground Renovations project. This session will share a preferred design, solicit the communities input on the design, and discuss the schedule. A recording of the meeting will be posted afterward so residents who cannot attend can still share their feedback. Visit the Somervoice Posting for information about requesting interpretation and ADA access. Register.

February 23, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Join parenting workshop "Understanding and Supporting Your Child’s Sleep" with Susan Friedell, Sleep Consultant (affiliated with Precious Little Sleep). Children are welcome to join and interpretation is available upon request. For more information, contact Kristin Arcangeli at sfn@k12.somerville.ma.us or call (617) 625-6600 x 6990. This workshop designed for families with children ages 3 - 5. Register.

Starts February 24. The SFLC and SomerPromise are collaborating with Families First to offer the Power of Parenting Program to Somerville parents of children ages 3-8. The Power of Parenting Program is a FREE 12-session virtual program in English or Portuguese for Somerville residents, featuring discussion topics such as parenting styles, temperament, communicating with your children, and more. The program aims to support parents, build community, and connect parents with resources. Classes will start at the end of February. Register.

March 03, 7:00 p.m. online. Mass Advocates for Children Education Rights of Immigrant and Multilingual Students Workshop through the Somerville Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC). Visit their website for more information.

March 2. Registration period for the 2026–2027 afterschool program, El Sistema Somerville opens. This innovative music program is housed at the East Somerville Community School and is open to all eligible students, district-wide. Learn more at the El Sistema webpage.

March 5, 5–7:00 p.m. in the East Somerville Community School gymnasium, 50 Cross St. Start planning your child's summers by learning about local programs. More information coming soon, including a summer programs guide for families who miss the event or want to review their options.

The City of Somerville kindly requests that we turn off our car engines outside the school. Why turn off your engine?

• Idling causes air pollution that is harmful to health.
• Idling wastes fuel and costs money.
• Idling out side a school even carries a potential fine.
• It's state law! (For full regulations, refer to M.G.L. c. 90, § 16B)

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