SPS District Newsletter

Dear SPS Families, Students, and Staff:

Welcome to our last newsletter edition of the calendar year. As we close 2024 and look forward to a new year, I want to reflect on a year that brought achievements and progress, and an opportunity to work together to overcome challenges. This year we launched a new school building process, reunited our Winter Hill Community under one roof, began rolling out new math and ELA curriculum, celebrated another graduating high school class, and so many more wonderful accomplishments. I am excited for what a new year will bring, and for continuing to advance the mission, vision, and goals that we have set together as a community.

With that in mind, this week I am proud to announce the official launch of the SPS Strategic Plan. The plan is data driven, based on real feedback and ideas from families, educators, administrators, community members and—most importantly—our students. Thank you to everyone who participated in the development of this plan! In addition to all of our stakeholders, I want to personally thank our hardworking and caring staff for their dedication to creating the conditions for our students to thrive. I am grateful for your commitment and your essential work.

One way I like to describe this plan is that it is a well-informed hypothesis about how to use our district resources in a systematic way to create conditions for our students to thrive. With this plan, we will align resources and inputs to ensure we get to our final bottom line, which is that every student has the chance to succeed.

As set out in our vision: "We envision a learning community where every student—honoring their unique strengths and background—is empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, through tailored supports and equitable access to opportunity."

This Plan is a culmination of another year of dedication and hard work with our students at the center, and lays the groundwork for our continued collaboration into 2025. I invite you to read the full plan at https://bit.ly/3ONxxfR.

I wish you and your families a safe and healthy Winter break.

Sincerely,

Rubén

Congratulations to Somerville High School senior Sam R.! Sam placed 8th overall at the 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership Education & Skills Conference Competition in the Advertising Design category. Sam secured a spot at the national competition by winning a gold medal at the state competition. The SkillsUSA competition is one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world, bringing together more than 6,500 students from across the country. Sam studies in the Graphic Communications program within the Career and Technical Education department at Somerville High School. Photo courtesy of SkillsUSA: Sam at Nationals.

Congratulations to team Bob the Builder for winning the annual Somerville Mathematics Fund 2024 ScrapHeap Showdown! Team members were Bhavroop K., Serena W., and Rafael R. This year's challenge — "Catch My Drift" — had students competing to build the wind-powered craft that moved the furthest across a wood floor in a makeshift wind tunnel. You can read the blog about it at the Somerville Mathematics Fund website or watch the competition (thank you City of Somerville Cable Operations Department for the video and Tufts University for the competition space.) Photo courtesy of Somerville Mathematics Fund: L–R Bhavroop, Serena, Rafael posing with their craft.

Last month, the School Committee unanimously passed a resolution to formally recognize last year's WHCIS 8th graders in Ms. Brady's class for their civics project. During the project, students surveyed peers, worked with their data, then presented their findings to the School Committee in Spring 2024. 18 students, now in 9th grade, came to city council chambers to receive official city commendations.

The Center for Career and Technical Education continues to support the Somerville community! Recently, two CTE programs at Somerville High School teamed up to give a group visiting from the Somerville Council on Aging a special day. Cosmetology students offered hair, skin, and nail treatments for guests, followed by a delicious meal prepared and served by Culinary Arts students.

Students in Fashion Art class at Somerville High School worked on designs inspired by 1960s fashions. Students researched magazine archives and are preparing group presentations to depict 60s styles. At the same time, they are also draping fabric on art mannequins to capture form and how to render texture and light through illustration. The high school art department also runs an after school club for students interested in fashion and sewing.

Capuano students in the ECIP program got to meet community helpers in November, including a chef, a postal courier, a physician, and a 911 operator. Students asked questions and interacted with the professionals, and received gift bags with mementos from the event to bring home. Thank you to the ECIP teachers who reached into the community and organized this event and thank you to the volunteers. Pictured are students learning to make a simple snack mix with a chef.

Kindergarten families joined their students for a fun literacy breakfast event at the Healey School in November. Kindergarteners paraded through the halls proudly carrying balloons they had decorated with a favorite character. Parents and guardians met them in the cafeteria where they enjoyed breakfast and learned literacy games they could take home and play together.

Brown School library educator Laura Peura and art educator Julia Austein developed a learning unit about wildlife conservation for their fourth grade students. Part of this collaborative unit was a presentation by the Drumlin Farm Mass Audubon education coordinator, with the support of Sylvester the Wood Duck (pictured in his enclosure). Students researched waterfowl and conservation during library class and learned more during the Mass Audubon presentation. The 4th graders will illustrate a realistic waterfowl during art class, which they will submit to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Thank you to the Brown School PTA for sponsoring the Mass Audubon visit.

Second graders in Ms. Manning and Ms. Davies' classes identified two candidates for grade two mascot through research, analysis, and caucuses. They made campaign posters for their candidates: the snow leopard and the lion. On election day, grade seven students oversaw the polling site and helped students cast ballots. In a close race, snow leopard was declared the winner. Grade two will now symbolically "adopt" a snow leopard from the World Wildlife Fund. They are looking forward to having a mascot that is "quiet, likes the snow, and eats rodents."

Next Wave and Full Circle are an alternative, therapeutic school community that serves students in grades 6 through 12. Academics are taught through project-based learning and authentic, hands-on learning that develop the leadership skills and confidence they need to successfully navigate their futures. Students benefit from interesting club options and off-site adventures. One adventure students look forward to every year is the climb up Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire, as pictured.

In September, students and staff at NWFC participated in a school-wide team building day run by non-profit Waypoint Adventures. Students worked together to solve problems, strengthen relationships, and enjoy a fun day together. Waypoint staff prepared activities around the program's five core values: responsibility, collaboration, resilience, empathy, and excellence.

Each Friday afternoon, a group of NWFC students and educator David Aronofsky help serve dinner at the Boston Rescue Mission. This year the Boston Rescue Mission returned the favor, donating 11 Thanksgiving baskets to NWFC families for their holiday! Pictured are NWFC student volunteers posing in front of the Mission.

Congratulations to May Chau for winning the Francis Euphemia Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of the 2024 Common Good Awards from Massachusetts College of Art. Ms. Chau is our K–12 Supervisor of Visual Arts and an experienced art educator. She will receive the award for her "commitment to creating a collaborative and exploratory arts education environment. Chau’s approach encourages students to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills, fostering lifelong learning through art in one of Massachusetts’ most diverse school systems." Photo credit: Ryan Sullivan

Congratulations to our Director of Student Services, Elizabeth Doncaster, for being selected as a 2024 "Second Step Educator of the Year" and "District Innovator." The awards are given by global nonprofit and leading social-emotional learning provider, Committee for Children. Director Doncaster, a former SPS educator, has been instrumental in advocating for and securing investments in social-emotional programs and supports in our schools. You can hear more about our SEL curriculum, including restorative practices, by watching our most recent FacebookLive event.

Our Food and Nutrition Services Department is constantly developing and testing new, healthy recipes. In November, they debuted a Bean Fajita and a Chicken Fajita, both served with rice cheese, guacamole, and salsa at our K–8 schools. Cafeteria staff reported back that students said "it was the best chicken dish they ever ate" and "tasted just like Chipotle" and educators were letting cafeteria staff know that the meal was delicious as well! Nutritious breakfasts and lunches are always free for students at SPS.

Healey School library aides Marijke Schuurman and Eileen Harrington have been busy finding ways to get students excited about reading. Healey librarian Emily Rocha says "My library aides are amazing and have done some beautiful work." Their book displays have included billboards with several themes: contenders for the Caldecott award, read around the world, "Creepy Carrots," winners of the Massachusetts Children's Book Award, and read before you watch (pictured).

Join the next Facebook Live event as Superintendent Carmona talks with Beverly Mosby, K–12 Supervisor of Music and Theatre, about the performing arts at SPS. Watch to the end because there will be a student performance that you won't want to miss!

Greta O’Sullivan, Marlee Thrasher, SHS Girls Cross Country

Robert Leoni, Henry Omura, Oliver Wicks, Henry Zarecor, SHS Boys Cross Country

Magnus Anell, Emmett Easton, SHS Golf

Caitlyn Logue, Delia Richardson, Wendy Santos, Leila Smee, SHS Girls Soccer

Imani Mixon, Gabriel Dos Reis, SHS Boys Soccer

Alexis Bowie, Cate Timmins, Girls Volleyball

Congratulations to ALL our hardworking student athletes for a great fall sports season! Visit the Athletics website for information about the current winter sports season.

Any activities listed below are free, unless otherwise indicated.

Don't forget that your student will be dismissed early on Friday, December 20 for the start of winter break. Schools are closed from December 23 through January 3. (District offices will also be closed on December 24 and December 25, 2024 and January 1, 2025.) Schools reopen on Monday, January 6, 2025. Contact your child's school with any questions about dismissal times and visit the district's school year calendar for more information about important dates.

December 19. Somerville High School proudly presents the 2024 Music & Art Winter Showcase on Thursday, December 19. Check out the art exhibit at 5:00 p.m., then watch the concert at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy music performed by the Somerville High School Chorus, Orchestra, Band, World Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Guitar Class. Artwork from current high school art students will be on display and select ceramics pieces will also be available for purchase. All staff, family, and friends of the Somerville Public Schools community are invited to join us for an evening celebrating the arts!

January 9 and January 30, 2025. Everyone is invited to take a tour of one of our prekindergarten to grade 8 schools during School Open House dates. Just stop by a PK–8 school. Tours will last about an hour and start at 9, 10, 11 a.m., and noon. Tours of Somerville High School are scheduled for February 12 and 13. Please visit the Learn About our Schools page for more details.

January 14, 2025. Our students and staff are implementing restorative practices in schools across the district to strengthen community and relationships. Now SPS parents and guardians are invited to join one of three sessions about restorative practices and how to use these strategies at home. The third and final sessions will take place on Tuesday, January 14th, from 5:30–7p.m. at Albert F. Argenziano School. Pizza and childcare will be provided. Session in English and Portuguese. Please register: tinyurl.com/RJ24-25.

Ongoing. If you or someone you know is dealing with food insecurity, please take a look at this folder. This online folder has fliers in multiple languages about free food resources for families. If you anticipate needing food support over winter break, please reach out to your school liaison before the break.

SPS offers a robust catalog of adult education courses through SCALE (Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences). Somerville residents are invited to sign up for their new class, Early Childhood Education Training specifically for English learners. Enroll with the SCALE registration form. Visit the SCALE website to learn more about adult education, including classes that lead to earning a high school degree and career training for native English speakers and learners alike.

We want to hear about your family's afterschool care needs. Please spend 5 minutes taking the Out of School Time survey by clicking the button below. Responses are anonymous.

We are excited to announce the start of the Illustrative Mathematics (IM) curriculum rollout for grades K to 5. With IM, students will spend most of their time during math lessons working on problems, often in small peer groups. Because students are often asked to figure out how to solve problems in a way that makes sense to them, students are also taught strategies for working on difficult material when it seems overwhelming. Students will develop a deeper understanding of mathematics, flexible problem-solving skills, and use language to justify their approach toward math problems.

It is not just the students who are learning something new. Because this is new to our educators in these grade levels, educators have been attending professional development before each new unit so they can confidently teach using the new method.

The IM curriculum was chosen by a Math Curriculum Selection Committee, composed of educators, curriculum staff, and principals during the 2022–2023 school year. The Committee chose the Illustrative Math program because the problem-based curriculum builds knowledge of concepts, provides opportunities for hands-on learning, student discussions, and group work. Additionally, grades 6 to 8 are already taught math using the IM curriculum, so this creates a coherent SPS approach to math education in grades K to 8. Learn more about this curriculum here.

Restorative Practices are being rolled out across Somerville Public Schools as part of our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. In November and December, we gave SPS parents and guardians a chance to learn restorative practices, the same way their children are learning them in classrooms across the district. Over 35 parents and guardians attended the two first workshops called "From Conflict to Connection: Building a Stronger Relationship with Your Child." Parents and guardians participated in community-building circles, and explored ideas for adopting restorative practices at home. One parent shared, “One thing that went well was engagement and attentiveness during discussions. Everyone was willing to share and be honest. Great to experience what our kids are experiencing.”

Director of Student Services Elizabeth Doncaster co-designed the workshops with staff from the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC), our family engagement department. Ms. Doncaster facilitated the sessions along with SFLC social worker Jennifer Ochoa, who is pictured facilitating a Spanish-language workshop. Learn more about SEL programs on the Student Services website: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/sel

This week we officially published Dr. Carmona's three- to five-year Strategic Plan for SPS. The Plan is the result of feedback from thousands of SPS stakeholders—families, staff, students, and community partners—and includes community-created Vision and Mission Statements, as well as action-oriented goals to advance our plan. You can now read the full plan at https://bit.ly/3ONxxfR.

Last month we officially completed Phase 1, the Eligibility Phase, of the MSBA School Building process. To be able to advance to the next phase, we are awaiting a vote from the MSBA Board. We expect this vote to take place this month. If approved by the MSBA Board, our project will move into the next phase, "Forming the Project Team." At that time our immediate next steps would include hiring an Owner's Project Manager and then hiring a Designer/Architect. Ongoing updates are available at www.somervillema.gov/msba.