Dear Arlington Families,

As we wrap up the school year, we do so with gratitude for your partnership over the past many months, and for the trust you place in us when you send your children to school each day. We are grateful to work in a community that supports its public schools so enthusiastically, and we have enjoyed celebrating your students' incredible accomplishments with them as we have closed out the school year. We would like to congratulate the Class of 2025, as well as all of our students in Preschool through 11th grade, on the work they have done to make it to the 2025 finish line.

As summer arrives, I am looking forward to a few weeks of planning an energetic welcome in the Fall for our new teachers, administrators, staff, and finally (and most importantly!) our students on September 2nd. I am also looking forward to some much-needed time away with my family in coastal Maine; My own children are finishing up Kindergarten and 3rd grade, and they are very much looking forward to time with friends, swim lessons, and sunshine.

I encourage you and your students to enjoy what are hopefully some slower-paced summer days with loved ones. We hope you will carry this year's spirit of connection and collaboration back to school with you in September. We can't wait to see those of you who are returning in the fall, and we wish the very best to those who are moving on to new adventures.

Wishing you a happy, healthy summer,

Liz Homan

Superintendent of Schools

• First Day of Kindergarten of 2025-2026 School Year - Tuesday, September 2nd or Wednesday September 3rd.
• The first two days of Kindergarten are split in half for a supportive start. Families will receive information from their school about which day and time their child should attend.
• First Day for Grades 1-12 of 2025-2026 School Year - Tuesday, September 2
• First Day of Preschool of 2025-2026 School Year - Monday, September 8

Progress Reports for elementary and Arlington High School students are now available through the PowerSchool portal. Report cards for students at Gibbs and Ottoson will be available on 6/24/25. Please contact your child's Principal with any questions or for more information.

Arlington Public Schools will continue the morning-only OMS bus route from 111 Broadway (near Dunkin’ Donuts at Thompson School) to Mass Ave and Ottoson Middle School. There is no afternoon return trip.

To ride:
Submit the OMS Bus Route Application by Friday, July 18, 2025. Students not placed will be added to a waitlist.

Cost: $175 per student, per year. APS has a $480 per family cap on transportation fees. Financial assistance is available.

Route Info:
📍 Pickup: 111 Broadway
🕗 Time: 8:10 AM

Key Dates:

• 7/18/25: Application due

• Week of 8/4/25: Families notified

• 8/15/25: Payment due

• 9/2/25: Route begins (First day of school)

Arlington High School is now enrolling for its five-week, in-person Credit Recovery Program, open to AHS students and Arlington residents attending Middlesex League, Minuteman, or private schools.

Program Details:
📅 Dates: July 8 – August 7, 2025
📍 Location: Arlington High School
🗓 Schedule: Tues, Wed, Thurs
💲 Cost: Free for AHS students; $600 per course for non-AHS students
🎓 Eligibility: Grades 9–12 needing credit recovery in core subjects (must meet academic requirements)
📚 Subjects: English, Math, Science, History, PE

Deadline: Final mailed registration due by June 27, 2025

Questions? Contact Dean of Students Robert DiLoreto at rdiloreto@arlington.k12.ma.us.

Download the full program overview and registration packet below. Final registration by mail will close June 27th, 2025.

Arlington Public Schools is launching a Math Pathways Planning Task Force. The task force will include APS teachers, coaches, principals, administrators, families, and community members, and will gather feedback from students to inform their work.

This team, which will be led by the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching & Learning and Director of Math & Computer Science, will:

• Research current best practices in Math Education: both curricular and structural;
• Examine possibilities for revised pathway structures and the implications of each potential approach (including financial);
• Develop recommendations for Superintendent and School Committee consideration and integration into FY27 budget planning.
  

🔗 If you are interested in applying, please fill out this Google Form.

Missed our Math Pathways Information Session for Grade 6-12? Click the link below to watch the recording!

New to APS? Know someone who is? Get to know how Arlington Public Schools works by reviewing our New Family Orientation Presentation, or forward it to a future APS family! The Welcome & Resource Center hosted a virtual orientation at the end of May and will continue to offer sessions in the summer and school year. These sessions are open to all new families—and to current families who’d like a refresher on district information and processes.

Looking for ways to keep learning at home this summer?

Our Teaching & Learning Department has updated the Summer Enrichment page with a variety of optional, parent-facilitated, and community-based activities. Resources are organized by grade level and subject, offering students fun and engaging opportunities to continue learning over the break.

Interested in career as an educator or in another role working supporting students? APS is always looking for talented individuals join our team! Explore all current job listings on our School Spring page.

Now hiring positions including:

• Special Education Teachers
• Specialized Support Paraprofessionals
• Crossing Guards...and more!
  

The Arlington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) supports families of students with disabilities and works collaboratively with APS to improve special education programming and services.

Subscribe to SEPAC’s brand-new newsletter to receive updates, resources, and ways to get involved!

On June 7, the Arlington High School community came together to celebrate the graduating Class of 2025! With rain in the forecast, this year’s ceremony made history as the first-ever graduation held in the new AHS gymnasium. Despite the change in location, the event was filled with joy, heartfelt speeches, and the proud support of families, staff, and friends. Read more student and staff speeches in Your Arington. Watch the ceremony below!

We’re proud to announce that seven Ottoson Middle School students represented APS at the National History Day competition in Maryland last week—one of the largest and most prestigious history contests in the country.

• 8th grader Yueshin Yu placed 3rd in the nation in the Junior Individual Website category for the project: Defining Family: The Legal Battle for LGBT Rights in Braschi v. Stahl. Yueshin also received the Outstanding Affiliate Entry for Massachusetts (Junior Division).

• Two additional projects from Ottoson earned Honorable Mentions, rounding out an impressive APS showing at Nationals.
  
  

Out of over 1.3 million students nationwide who entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship competition, only about 1% received scholarships—and two of them are right here at Arlington High School!

👏 Miriam Lubashev received a National Merit $2500 Scholarship
👏 Anderson C. Cheung was awarded a National Merit Novartis Scholarship

These highly competitive awards recognize exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and promise. Congratulations to Miriam and Anderson for this remarkable honor!

The APS Welcome & Resource Center will be open over the summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am - 3pm for families in need of resources or support. While we will not be open regularly on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, appointments may be available upon request. Feel free to contact us at 781-316-3332 or welcomecenter@arlington.k12.ma.us.

More information on available community resources such as food, mental health, housing supports, and more can be found in our Welcome Center Newsletters.

Arlington Eats - Arlington

• Arlington EATS is offering FREE pre-packed bags of groceries full of nutritious and kid-friendly foods for pick-up during summer vacation. Lunch support will be available for 6 weeks this summer, beginning Thursday, July 10. They will have sign ups for each week of the program; families will be able to select the weeks they would like to participate and if they would like to pick up Thursday or Friday.

• Vacation Lunch Bags will be available for pick up at Arlington EATS Market,117 Broadway, on Thursday, from 4:00 - 6:30 pm & Friday, from 9am to 11am.
• To sign up, visit arlingtoneats.org or call 339-707-6757 ext. 6. Registration is required. If you have any questions, please contact Shalini at ssreedhar@arlingtoneats.org

The APS Communication Process Flier is your go-to resource for direction on all your questions and concerns regarding district matters. We believe that clear communication is vital for building a strong and thriving educational community. We encourage you to consult this tool when wondering who to go to first with your question or concern.