Highlander Times

Hello, Students, Families, and Staff -

I hope everyone is doing well during the final stretch of the school year. We are incredibly proud of the progress our students have made, and the leadership they have shown. I encourage you all to attend some of the many end of year celebrations hosted by various groups at SHS- see the "Upcoming Dates" section below for details.

Last week our class officers and SHS Assistant Principals and I held grade level meetings. Class officers solicited ideas about how to build community and school spirit. At these meetings, we also addressed an uptick in unacceptable language and hate speech here at SHS. In early March I notified the community about a swastika and anti-Semitic graffiti; since that time, we have unfortunately had another swastika etched into a hand dryer in the boys' bathroom, several instances of n-word graffiti, and multiple reports of students using derogatory terms about different identity groups, such as LGBTQ+ or recent immigrants to the United States. When students are spoken to about using these terms, they often say that they don't mean anything by it and are just using it with friends. At the assemblies we made it clear that any type of hate speech or the use of derogatory terms about someone's identity is NEVER acceptable at Somerville High School. Our incredibly diverse community is something we want to celebrate, and we need to make sure everyone feels safe, supported, and welcome at SHS. Last week SHS staff reinforced this message in their classrooms through a restorative circle conversation about the power of language.

Students are invited to a listening and brainstorming session during X block on May 12. At this meeting, members of the SHS adminstration and the SHS staff equity team will be asking students to share their sense of the climate at SHS. We will also be soliciting ideas about actions we can take to strengthen our community. All SHS staff are expected to address any inappropriate language use. We will use education, restorative methods, and possibly consequences including suspension to address any repeated or significant issues. We appreciate your support in talking about the power of language with your student.

I also want to reinforce the district's recent message about student use of motorized scooters. This message reminded families about local regulations, which include mandatory use of a helmet, and the need for a permit or license. Please note that on school grounds, including the front concourse, students are expected to dismount and walk their scooters. This will help us keep everyone safe.

And finally, a reminder that on Tuesday, May 20 and on Wednesday, May 21 all tenth graders will be taking the math MCAS. As you heard from me in March, even though the exam is no longer a graduation requirement, it is one important measure of how well we are preparing our students, and we expect every student to try their best. On testing days, students in 10th grade will report to school at the usual time and be dismissed at 11. Students in grades 9, 11, and 12 will start their first class of the day at 11:30. There will be an optional lunch for any student who wants it from 11:00-11:30.

Thank you,

Principal Kersten

Congratulations to the newly elected Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) officers:

• President: Laura Beretsky
• Vice President: Ann Haywood Baxter
• Treasurer: Sean Becker
• Secretary: Elizabeth Bryant

You can read more information about officer here. We look forward to working with this group closely in the upcoming years. See below for how you can get involved.

The SHS PTSA is committed to making sure all seniors can participate in class of 2025 celebrations, including prom and graduation. Prom tickets are $90, caps and gowns are 35, yearbook $70 and bus to prom $15. If you would like to donate, please Venmo the shsptsa. Any amount is appreciated! @SHSPTSA1

Somerville Public Schools is looking for feedback from families. The data we collect will help us set long term, meaningful goals and improve student learning and school and district culture. Please share your thoughts by completing the "Conditions of Learning" survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LF6HHZ9 Survey is available in multiple languages.

On Thursday, May 22nd there will be a red-carpet event leading up to the seniors’ 5:30PM departure to the prom, being held on a boat in Boston’s Seaport. We are looking for parents to be at the school starting around 3:30 to help decorate the lower cafeteria, donate food and drinks, join the event, and see the seniors off before they leave for the evening. Please reach out to Laura Beretsky (beretsky@yahoo.com), if you’re interested in helping.

The SFLC is looking for donations of 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.

Potluck Dinner Thursday, June12th 6:30PM, SHS lawn (rain location, SHS lower cafeteria) A community event for SHS families. Bring a favorite family dish to share with the community while we celebrate the close of SY2024-2025.

• CTE Awards Banquet is on May 14th at 5:00pm
• Please don't forget to fill out the Class Day Senior Survey which is due on May 16th. This is where you will request graduation tickets.
• Last day to submit work for classes and credit recovery is May 21st.

Reminders about Senior Prom, Thursday, May 22nd

• Prom is on Thursday, May 22nd on the Spirit of Boston, Seaport District.
• It is MANDATORY for all seniors, and their guests if an SHS student, to attend school on this day. Seniors will rehearse for Class Day and Graduation starting at 8:30 and will be dismissed at 11:00am.
• ALL students must arrive at SHS beginning at 4:30pm.
• Buses will leave at 5:30pm and students will promenade from the main entrance of SHS to the buses. The public (parents, guardians, families and friends can see you off to your prom).
• ALL students will be taking our buses to the Seaport District; no exceptions!
• ALL students will also be taking buses back to SHS at 10pm.

• Upcoming college & career lunch visits: These are times that colleges and other programs will come to visit SHS. You do not need to sign up or register. They will be at a table in the cafeteria during lunch times and anyone can go talk to them!

These are hard times. Parenting a child with special needs can be a lot. Let’s come together to build community and support each other. These events will be loosely structured to give people a chance to get toknow each other and chat.

Discussions:

• What works? Tuesday, May 13th from 7:15pm - 8:15pm @ Somerville Library main branch in the auditorium
• What support do parents need? Monday, April 14th from 7:15pm - 8:15pm
• Donuts and Dishing. Wednesday, April 30th 8:00am - 9:00am at Davis Square Donuts & Bagels

Reach out with questions or interpretation needs to:SomervilleSEPAC@gmail.com

• May 7: Tri M Music Honor Society Induction/Music Awards
• May 7: SHS Dance Recital, 5pm in the auditorium
• May 8: Spring String Fling, 6:30pm in the auditorium
• May 9: Close of grades for Q4 IPRs for 9th - 11th graders
• May 9: First Generation Celebration for seniors
• May 9: SHS Dance Recital, 7pm in the auditorium
• May 14: CTE Awards (Auditorium - 5pm, Lower Caf -6pm)
• May 14: SHS School Improvement Council, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
• May 15: Vivaldi’s Gloria, (SHS Chorus & Orchestra) & Art Showcase
• May 16: PTSA Staff Appreciation Breakfast
• May 19: SHS Spring Concert (SHS Band, Jazz Band, Guitar Ensembles, World Percussion) & Art Showcase, 5pm Art / 6pm Music
• May 19-22: Senior Week, including final exams, class day rehearsal, graduation rehearsal, senior breakfast, Chromebook and textbook returns, etc.
• May 20: National Honor Ceremony, 4pm
• May 20: 10th grade MCAS - Session 1 - students in grades 9, 11, 12 report at 11
• May 21: 10th grade MCAS - Session 2 - students in grades 9, 11, 12 report at 11
• May 22: Senior Prom - early dismissal for seniors only at 11am
• May 27: SHS Chamber Ensemble and Jazz Band Concert, 6:30pm in the auditorium
• May 29: Somerville Community Scholarship Awards Night, 7pm in the auditorium
• May 30: Class Day (no classes for grades 9-11)
• June 1: Fall Sports 2025 Registration Opens
• June 2: Graduation @ Tufts University's Gantcher Hall at 6 pm
• June 4: Science MCAS - Biology/Physics Session 1
• June 5: Science MCAS - Biology/Physics Session 2
• June 11: SHS Improvement Council
• June 12: Special Education Progress Reports due
• June 12: Multilingual Learner Education Progress Reports due
• June 12: PTA Potluck Event, 6:30 at SHS lawn
• June 12: Academic Awards Ceremony, 12:30pm in the auditorium
• June 17: Last Day of School

On Thursday, April 17, SHS hosted its annual multicultural fair, where students shared history and culture from a wide range of countries. There was delicious food, beautiful poster presentations, and incredible dance performances. All students were assigned a block to attend the fair and there was an electric feeling in the air. Students were so supportive of one another, cheering for the dancers and learning about the food and cultures of their peers. Check out the Somerville EdTV video!

Somerville High School carpentry students once again teamed up with Bosch Tools and The Boston Bruins Foundation to create a piece of furniture built out of Bruins used hockey sticks. Bosch Tools donated over $10,000.00 worth of tools to build the furniture, The Boston Bruins Foundation donated the used Bruins hockey sticks and the students created the bench. The bench includes the following players’ game-used sticks: Hampus Lindholm and Jakub Lauko and former Bruins Danton Heinen, Justin Brazeau, Patrick Maroon, Jesper Boqvist, Brandon Carlo, and Derek Forbort, The bench has two hockey pucks on the top rail that are signed by Pavel Zacha and John Beecher along with two Jeremy Swayman sticks on the sides. All proceeds go to Somerville High CTE students.

Somerville High School's CTE Department hosted a Credit for Life Fair on Thursday, May 1, in the lower cafeteria. Business Department teacher, Michele Harney, coordinated the event which was sponsored by Northern Bank in Woburn. Over forty bank volunteers shared their valuable financial knowledge with over 350 students on that day.

Prior to the fair, students selected a career and occupation through an app on their phones,

which provided them with a starting salary. Once at the fair, students rotated to twelve stations where they made budgeting decisions for real life budget items such as: housing, transportation, food/nutrition, furnishings/furniture, utilities, education/training, lifestyle, charitable giving, health/wellness, part-time jobs, planning for the future and fun. After visiting all stations, students received an individual credit counseling session before checking out and entering a raffle for gift cards.

SHS students had a blast during "Physics Day" on May 1! Over a dozen stations and demonstrations brought physics concepts like friction, electromagnetism, torque, and optics to life. Students had the chance to explore, experiment, and engage with hands-on activities throughout this two-hour event. A big thank you to the team of volunteers and graduate students from Harvard University who made this exciting event possible!

To commemorate the fast approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Somerville High School Local History Club members Ultraviolet Gates (‘25), Michael Gomez-Calle (‘25), Ella Wilczek (‘25), Tommy Vandewege (‘26) and Pema Gyatsang (‘27) participated in creating the audio guide for the History on the Line historical map of Somerville and Medford. There are fifty-seven stops on the map and the students were assigned several stops each. They did an amazing job and made the museum staff and the map creators very happy! The audio guide is being finalized and will be available soon.

Watch the Somerville High School Quiz Team compete in the semifinals on May 10 on WGBH! You can watch their last match against Andover here. Go #SHSHighlanders!