From the Superintendent JR Lubisco

Dear Somerville Family,

Here is what’s happening:

📢 One Month Until the Somerville Schools Bond Referendum

With just one month until the March 11th bond referendum, here’s what you need to know about the vote that will shape the future of Somerville Public Schools. The referendum funds critical upgrades, including renovations to science labs and the auditorium—both original to the 1970s building. Watch this short video to learn more about the projects and how they align with our district’s long-term goals.

🗓️ Upcoming Bond Referendum Forums

You will hear from: Board members, staff members, demographers, financial & architectural experts.
In-Person Forum & Building Tour - Feb. 19th, 7 p.m.
- Somerville High School Media Center
  - 30-minute presentation + 30-minute Q&A
  - Tour of spaces slated for renovation (auditorium and science labs)
Virtual Forum on Zoom - March 4th, 7 p.m.
- Ideal for those who can’t attend in person
- Recording available afterward on somervilleschools.org/page/vote
Got questions? I hope to see you at one of the forums!

🎯 Audit and State of the District Milestones

We're making strides to ensure every student receives a high-quality education. Here’s what’s happening:

📚 Student Placement & Curriculum
- Optimizing student placement using data and expanding course offerings.
- Finalizing a long-term curriculum update cycle to drive academic improvements.
🍎 Instruction & Staff Development
- Math teams refined lesson frameworks and pacing guides to prioritize essential standards.
- Ongoing meetings with middle and elementary teachers focus on iReady data, next steps, and instructional strategies.
- Recruitment/hiring are getting a boost under our new HR Director, aligning with district priorities.
📝 Assessment & Accountability
- Streamlined assessment schedules to minimize redundancy and testing fatigue.
- Data teams collaborate with teachers to turn insights into student success strategies.
- Improved data access for teachers through refined warehousing and consistency checks.
- Deep dive into NJSLA data using evidence statement analysis to pinpoint key standards, strengths, and growth areas.
🌎 Multilingual Learner (ML) Support
- Enhancing consistency in intake/exit procedures and placement processes.
- Expanding Sheltered English Instruction training for all staff.

🏅 Stay Updated
Check out our website for the latest on school events and programs. You can also find our sports schedules and follow us on social media for real-time updates: