page background

Welcome Back to ESCS!

August 2023 Family Newsletter

WelcomeBack to ESCS!August 2023 Family Newsletter
zoom_out_map

Welcome our new Principal, Ms. Mace-Diaz!


Our new Principal Ms. Mace-Diaz has been an educator for 16 years. She has been a classroom teacher and administrator in Malden and Chelsea prior to joining our community. She is enjoying meeting parents, community organizations and working with the team at Central Office.

zoom_out_map

What is Ms. Mace-Diaz focus for the first 90 days?

Ms. Mace-Diaz will be focusing on building strong relationships with students, staff, and families. During the fall, she will work on building relationships with students and having office hours, where they can play games and get to know each other.


During the summer she has been meeting with several staff to get to know them as well as to listen to their feedback about their experience at the East. These listening tours will continue throughout the year. She will also be working closely with our PTA to set up opportunities where families can meet her.


In addition, Ms. Mace-Diaz will be doing learning walks throughout the building, where she will be able to gain more knowledge about classroom instruction at each grade level. After the conclusion of her listening tour, she will meet with school teams to develop a focus for the rest of the school year that blends with our school improvement plan. Please be in the lookout for these findings in one of our winter newsletters.

zoom_out_map

Welcome our new Assistant Principal: Estephanie Lugo

I am so excited to join the East Somerville Community School this school year in the role of Assistant Principal! I come to Somerville Public Schools having worked previously in Lynn Public Schools and Salem Public Schools in the role of School Counselor. In addition, I taught preschool for nearly a decade and was a summer camp leader. I am looking forward to supporting students, caregivers, and staff at the East! My hope is that my efforts will inspire every student to reach for the stars and have a positive impact on their community.


My family is from the Dominican Republic, and I have been a lifelong resident of Salem, Massachusetts. I attended Endicott College where I earned Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Business Administration. I also attended Cambridge College and obtained a Master of Education degree in School Counseling. I am now working to obtain a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Leadership at Merrimack College.


When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband Steven and our three children Samuel, Scarlett, and Sophia. My favorite things to do are go to the beach, watch movies with my family, cook, and learn new things.


If you have any questions or need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. I am here to serve you!


Let’s have a great school year!


Mrs. Lugo

First Day & Dismissal for Grades 1 - 8

We are very excited to welcome all our students on August 30!!! ❤️


Our first day is a half-day for students K-8. Classes start at 8:10 and dismissal is at 12:00


Full day on August 31 😀

zoom_out_map

Pre-K and Kindergarten Orientation

Pre-K and Kindergarten orientation days are August 30st and August 31st. This is a great chance to meet your student's teacher and see their classroom for the year!


You should have a scheduled time for this meeting, please reach out to Family Liaison Gisela Hernandez at ghernandez@k12.somerville.ma.us if you are have questions about this orientation.

First Day for Pre-K and K is September 5

zoom_out_map

Limited Food in classrooms

This year we will have an updated protocol regarding foods in the classrooms. Starting this school year, the only food in the classrooms that will be allowed is snacks. Celebrations in the classrooms cannot have snacks, cakes, cupcakes, or any other food item.
zoom_out_map

High Traffic Volume

With the Winter Hill at the Edgerly, please plan ahead for drop off and dismissal.


Please use Glen St and Pearl St. whenever possible to drop off our students.

Event Information

ESCS Open House

Please join us for our ESCS Open House! You can meet your student's teacher and find out what to expect for this upcoming school year.

When?

Tuesday, Sep 26, 2023, 05:00 PM

Where?

East Somerville Community School, Cross Street, Somerville, MA, USA

location_on Open maps

Meet our new Staff!

zoom_out_map

Senior Clerk: Sandy Figueiredo

Hi my name is Sandy Figueiredo and I am your Senior Clerk. I was born and raised in Somerville and in fact, I attended this school when I was kid. I am a mother of two wonderful boys that also go to school here. My family is from the Azores and I speak fluent Portuguese and English. I am looking forward to working with and getting to know everyone.
zoom_out_map

Building Substitute: Edna Gamba

I am from Colombia but I have been living in North America for over 20 years. I have an 11 years old daughter. I love cooking, traveling and arranging flowers. I love being out in nature and spending time with friends and family.
zoom_out_map

Building Substitute: Cristina Jurado

Hello everyone, my name is Cristina Jurado, and I will be the new substitute for the building. I have worked eight years in a bilingual school as an assistant, so this year will be a new experience for me but, without a doubt, I will give my best effort. I am Spanish but I have lived in the United States for 18 years and in Massachusetts for 13 years. I love working as a team and helping students improve both academically and social-emotionally. I hope to meet you very soon. All the best!
zoom_out_map

6nd Grade Teacher: Brynn Greisch

Hello! My name is Brynn Greisch and I am so excited to be joining the amazing 6th grade team at ESCS this school year! I recently graduated with my Master's in Education at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI where I grew up! Teaching is my greatest passion and have always enjoyed the challenge of math, therefore I am so excited to share that with these awesome kiddos! A fun fact about me is that I come from an entire family of teachers! In my spare time, I love to cook, read, and explore new places! I am looking forward to exploring everything that this amazing community has to offer!

zoom_out_map

5th Grade Unidos Teacher: Vicky Thao

Greetings! I'm Vickie Thao, or Ms. Vickie, and I'm delighted to join ESCS as the 5th Grade Unidos Teacher. Having previously been a student teacher here, I'm excited to continue contributing to the ESCS community. With a background in advocating for education and equity, I look forward to creating an inclusive classroom. When not teaching, I enjoy painting, cooking, and spending quality time with friends. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

zoom_out_map

6th Grade Unidos: Samantha Jensen

Hi Families! My name is Sam Jensen and this coming school year I will be the new 6th Grade ELA teacher. This will be my first year teaching in my own classroom and I am so excited to get started. I was the Building Substitute Teacher at East Somerville last year have loved getting to know these students! In my free time, I love to hangout with my friends and travel. This summer I traveled with my friends all the way down the Pacific Coast Highway! I am looking forward to a great year!

zoom_out_map

Reading Specialists: Angelica Piz

Hello East Somerville Community School,

I am thrilled to be joining your community this fall as a reading specialist. I am a lover of all stories because I learn from each something new and valuable.

I want to share some of my own personal story. I grew up in California. My cultural background is Mexican. My family has deep roots in Jalisco, Mexico. I am proudly bilingual, with Spanish being my native language. I attended the University of California at Santa Cruz, and later I attended Lesley University to become a teacher. My two kids and husband love to watch movies any time they get a chance, and I happily join them. I have always valued and honored different perspectives and histories.

I look forward to meeting you and learning more about your story.

Con cariño,

Angelica Piz

zoom_out_map

Nurse: Jennifer DeOliveira--Souza

My name is Jennifer DeOliveira-Souza and I am happy to be back at the East Somerville! My family is from Brazil and I have lived in Somerville almost my whole life. I was a student in SPS and after SHS I attended Laboure College and Baystate. I am a midwife and my background is in Women’s health and Pediatrics. I have worked for SPS department since 2019 and I have been a nurse for about 10 years. I love to listen to a variety of music and love to play volleyball. I am happy to be back and see familiar faces and happy to meet new staff. Our office is open for all and please stop by to say hello.
zoom_out_map

Nurse: Nora Murphy

I am thrilled to be joining the team at East Somerville Community School and look forward to getting to know each of you! I have been a nurse for 12 years in both pediatric and geriatric settings. I hold degrees in both nursing and Child Life Therapy with a concentration in human development. I have two children, Kylian (4y) and Kaia (2y). We live in Malden and love soccer (Go Liverpool!), surfing, and swimming. We are excited to be planning a trip to Uganda next year. Please come by the nursing office and say hello! I can't wait to meet you.
zoom_out_map

Welcome from the ESCS PTA!

The East Somerville Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a group of parents and other family members who work with the teachers and staff to support our students and our community. We plan events, raise money for classroom needs, organize volunteers and advocate for our school with the city school board. Please join or renew your PTA membership for the 2023-2024 school year! Membership is FREE. As a member you will receive information about school events and volunteer opportunities and be able to vote at our general meetings. Sign up here https://tinyurl.com/ESCSmember2023



The PTA is run by the PTA board, elected by the membership each spring. Your PTA board from 2023-24 is:

President: Amy Mertl
Vice Presidents: Paula Magnelli, Kayla Centeio, Carolina Abad
Secretaries: Suzi Lee, Vera Ventura, Charlotte Walker
Treasurer: Annie Lydgate

Email: escspta@gmail.com
Website: https://www.eastsomervillepta.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastSomervilleCommunitySchoolPTA

Please note there is no school on 9/1 and 9/4. Enjoy the long weekend!

zoom_out_map

Bikes and Scooters at School

We are so happy to have you here. Please note, if bringing a bike or a scooter, outdoor space is limited. Please bring a helmet and a lock. We will not be able to house bikes or motorized scooters in the school (due to space and safety).

open_in_new zoom_out_map

Free Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast and lunch are free for all students this school year! Click to see our monthly menus.
zoom_out_map

Attendance is important!

We want your student at school every day! However, if they are going to be absent, please let us know. Call (617) 629-5417.

Line Up Areas

  • PreK and K will meet in the cafeteria.

  • 1st and 2nd Grade will line up and enter from the Cross St. Park (next to the main office) (Door 1)

  • 3rd Grade will line up and enter from the Pearl St door closest to the parking lot. (Door 5)

  • 4th Grade will line up and enter from the Glen St on the side of the building. (Door 4)

  • 5th Grade will line up and enter from the Pearl St Park door next to the 3rd/4th grade hallway. (Door 6)

  • 6th Grade will line up and enter from the Pearl St Park door next to the 1st/2nd grade hallway. (Door 7)

  • 7th Grade will line up in the soccer field and will enter on the Pearl St door on the side of the building leading into 1st/2nd grade hall.

  • 8th Grade will line up in the basketball court and enter through the door near the cafeteria.