Highlander Times

Hello, Students, Families, and Staff -

I'd like to begin by thanking the SHS Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and all the parent/guardian volunteers for organizing what will hopefully be the first of many dance party fundraisers (see more details in the PTSA section below). A shout out also goes to the many local businesses/organizations that donated generously. The PTSA raised over $5000, much of which will go to ensuring that all of our seniors can participate in the senior year rites of passage.

This Friday, April 4, is the end of quarter 3! We are hurtling toward the end of the year. The last parent/guardian conferences for the year are Thursday, April 10 from 3:00-5:00 pm. Teachers are currently reaching out make appointments with families of students with a C or below. We are asking all other families to wait until Tuesday, April 8 to sign up for their appointments by clicking on the appropriate link in Aspen. If you need help making an appointment, please reach out to your community or directly to the teacher.

On April 14-16, a visiting team from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) will be at SHS for our decennial accreditation visit. They will be visiting classrooms, observing our school culture and physical plant, and interviewing representative stakeholders. We have enjoyed this important process of reflection and self-evaluation, and look forward to the final NEASC report, which we will share with the public when it is complete.

Thank you,

Principal Kersten

The MSBA is asking for feedback on our new building. Please share your thoughts by answering questions on this short survey before April 8. Thank you.

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 new and/or gently used gloves to help our students through the winter months. We have given out over thirty 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.

9th grade SBIRT testing: From March 31-April 4, school health staff are conducting a state-mandated screening with ninth graders for drug and alcohol abuse called SBIRT – Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment. SBIRT consists of a five minute “motivational interview” with each student designed to encourage healthy behavior. Students will be asked about alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, vaping, and drug use. No information is kept that could a identify a student and results are not shared unless there is an immediate safety threat. As with any health screening, you can opt your child out of this process by filling out this on-line form https://forms.gle/CMgCBxuDKjveT8p68 or by contacting your school nurse. For more information about SBIRT, please visit: www.masbirt.org/schools.

PTSA General Meeting, Tuesday, May 6th 6:30PM, Somerville High School, room C-205. Light snacks will be provided. Agenda items include:

· Treasurer’s Report

· Details about upcoming community potluck

· Brainstorm future event ideas for SY’25-’26

· Others TBD

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.

• April 1-4: 9th grade SBIRT testing in Social Studies classes
• April 4: Last Day of Quarter 3 - grades close
• April 5: College and Career Day at SHS 8am-1pm
• Week of April 7: Report cards mailed home and available on Aspen
• April 10: Parent/Guardian Conferences 3:00-5:00 pm
• April 13-17: Last chance to buy Prom Tickets
• April 16: SHS School Improvement Council 6:30-8:00pm (note new date)
• April 17: Multicultural Fair
• April 18-25: April Break - No School - building Closed April 18 and April 21
• May 1: Credit for Life, 8am-11am
• May 1: SHS Fringe Festival, 7pm
• May 2: SHS Fringe Festival and Thespian Inductions, 5pm
• May 2: Close of grade for quarter 4 IPRs for seniors only

On Friday, March 28, students and staff competed in the third annual basketball game with the staff prevailing. It was an awesome game with one hundred participants between the two teams. Of the many highlights, the best was watching the students support and cheer for one another. The students are already planning how to take down the staff in next year's game!

To watch the game, go here.

Watch the team compete on April 12. Go #SHSHighlanders!

Photo credit: © Elizabeth Friar/GBH

If you missed any of these events, here are some EdTV links to some of the wonderful Highlander happenings! And a special thank you to EdTV for all they do!

Much Ado About Nothing

SomerStars

Class Cup Challenge

Empty Bowls Project

Second Chance Cars

Evening of Song