Highlander Times

Hello, all,

I want to begin by echoing the superintendent’s message from the most recent SPS newsletter. His message emphasized “our deep commitment to supporting all of our students and families, including our immigrant and LGBTQ+ community members. This commitment is rooted in our longstanding belief that every child has the right to access high-quality education in an inclusive and safe environment, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or immigration status.” I know there is a lot of concern about how recent national policy changes may be impacting many members of our community. Please see last week’s memo from the acting commissioner of education, which states that Massachusetts existing laws and policies regarding LGBTQ+ remain unchanged, and reaffirms the state’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive environment for all of our students. If your student is struggling, please connect them with their counselor, and don't hesitate to reach out to your student's community.

On a lighter note, we are looking forward to a fun, community-building day this Friday, February 14. The chorus will be delivering singing Valentines, and the day will culminate in the Class Cup Challenge, where members of each class will compete against each other in a final bid to earn points and be crowned this year's Class Cup winners. The seniors currently have a healthy lead, but the 9th grade class is coming on strong!

We hope you all have a warm, safe February break. You can expect the next newsletter on Wednesday, March 5, which also coincides with the mid-point of third quarter!

Thank you,

Principal Kersten

The Multicultural Fair Committee is seeking donation of the following art supplies for students’ project boards: markers, construction paper, glue sticks, acrylic paint tubes, and paint brushes). Please reach out to Ms. Albrecht, School Counselor at kalbrecht@k12.somerville.ma.us if interested in donating to coordinate.

The SFLC is looking for donations of new and/or gently used gloves to help our students through the winter months. We have given out over 30 winter jackets so thank you to everyone who donated! We are also looking for men's dress shoes and button up white dress shirts to assist students with appropriate clothing for prom, graduation, and job interviews. There is a donation box in the main entrance of the high school.

Our Somerville High School Community and Athletics Scholarship application is now LIVE! The application deadline is February 14th at 11:59 p.m. View the scholarship book here. Last year our students were awarded almost $400,000 in scholarships, so please encourage seniors to apply!

We are happy to announce that the city is in the process of on-boarding a crossing guard for the intersection at Highland and Vinal who will work on Thursdays and Fridays. We are still looking for folks who can work Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Wednesdays. Please email akersten@k12.somerville.ma.us if you are interested!

• A 21+ Community Event sponsored by the Somerville Parent Teacher Student Association
• Saturday, March 22nd, 7PM-11:00PM
• Dante Club, 5 Dante Terrace, Somerville
• Live Music performance by Jimmy Plunkett
• Cash Bar
• Light food available
• Tickets: $25.00, but those who cannot afford full price can choose to pay less Ticket purchase link: https://bit.ly/3EvrPNG
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Proceeds will support Somerville High School youth by providing food gift cards and covering costs of caps, gowns, and prom tickets for those who need help.

Gift baskets with goodies from many local businesses will be raffled at the event. Raffle tickets are available at the event or via the above link. Raffle ticket prices: One ticket: $3/Three tix: $5/Seven tix: $10

Can't make it to the event? Donate directly to the PTSA at this link https://venmo.com/u/SHSPTSA1

The PTSA event planners could use some additional help with logistics, including decorating Dante Club and prettifying the gift baskets full of goodies. Please join our next event planning meeting via Zoom, Monday, February 24th at 8:00PM: https://mit.zoom.us/j/94059269030 If can’t make the meeting but want to help with planning, email Laura Beretsky at beretsky@yahoo.com.

On Thursday, February 27 at 7 pm, the Somerville SEPAC is hosting a zoom event on reading disabilities, reading development, and early identification featuring Dr. Nadine Gaab. Download the attached PDF for more details.

• February 10-14: On the Spot Admission for State Colleges
• February 12: SHS School Improvement Council
• February 12: Open House for Prospective Families 8:15am - 10:00am
• February 13: Open House for Prospective Families 8:15am - 10:00am and 12:45pm - 2:15pm
• February 17-21: February Break
• March 2: Region IV Science Fair
• March 3: Close of grades for Q3 IPR's
• March 6: MCAS Retest ELA Session 1
• March 7: MCAS Retest ELA Session 2
• March 7: SomerStars Performances (Class 6 & 7)
• March 11: Spring Sports Medical Clearance Baseball & Softball 2:40 pm; Ultimate Frisbee 3:15pm
• March 11: MCAS Retest - Math Session 1
• March 12: MCAS Retest - Math Session 2
• March 12: SHS School Improvement Council
• March 12: Medical Clearance for Spring Sports 9th graders 1:40pm; 10th graders 2:15pm; 11th graders 2:45pm; 12th graders 3:15pm
• March 14: SHS Spring Play Performance, 9:30am and 7:00pm
• March 15: SHS Spring Play Performance 2pm

On February 8th, SHS hosted the MA Thespians Festival, a regional theatre festival that features student theatre work from all around New England. Somerville students took home all of the top awards and scholarships from the event: Layla Gillick was awarded a scholarship and earned a Superior rating in Technical Theatre for both Costume Design and Costume Construction; Linnaea Sidel was awarded a scholarship and earned a Superior rating in Musical Theatre, and Serena Wong was awarded a scholarship and earned an Excellent rating in Acting. To cap off the festival, the Highlander Theatre Company presented the world premiere of a play called Kafka and the Doll by Claudia Haas.

This week, the College & Career Team hosted four on-the-spot admissions events for seniors interested in attending UMass Dartmouth, Salem State University, Fitchburg State University, and Framingham State University. Admissions representatives from Somerville High School came to meet with each student individually to provide an "on-the-spot" admissions decision personally.

Over 30 students participated. Here are some photos of students right after receiving their good news!

On Wednesday, February 10 more than 40 SHS students were honored with Highlander of the Quarter award. Students received these awards for exhibiting the Highlander Habits during Quarter 2. Students exhibited traits such as growth mindset, responsibility, and culturally competent citizenship.

On February 12, Mr. White, SHS Dean of Students, & Dr. Boston Davis, SPS Assistant Superintendent, spoke with students about their experiences as Historically Black College and University (HBCU) alumni. Mr White went to Hampton University and Dr. Boston Davis went to Spelman College. They spoke to students during the College & Career Team's HBCU panel discussion to help students understand and explore HBCUs as college options!

We are as excited as ever about the student-centered activities that bring math alive! Students are working in groups explaining, supporting, defending, asking, and learning from each other and applying mathematical concepts to real world applications, including:

• Newcomer students learning about base-10 numbers, metric and imperial measurement, ratios, conversions, statistics, and algebra with supports and scaffolding to allow access to rigorous content.

• Freshmen learning in their Algebra and Geometry classes two-step equations and triangle congruence using Performance Tasks which require students to apply geometry principles to playground design.

• Algebra 2 students exploring exponential functions in graphic, story, and function form whether the data are about populations, flu cases, interest rates, or comic book values.

• Students in Quantitative Reasoning making playable carnival games to explore experimental probability and expected value.

• Students in Precalculus digging deeply into the Unit Circle and measuring angles in both degrees and radians.

• Calculus students working hard designing posters and discussing the many ways to evaluate indefinite integrals.

• Students in our many computer science classes creatively designing wearable devices, writing programs to play simple games like tic tac toe, creating 3D-designs, and designing robots that are works of art.

All students have the option to challenge themselves in the monthly New England Math League contests. Our math club had fun competing in a math meet recently at Wayland High School. Our robotics club is gearing up for another exciting season and hoping to advance even further this year. After school math tutoring happens on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays in the school library at 2:45. We are looking forward to deepening our math knowledge throughout the spring!