Dear Somerville Family,

🏫 2026: Building on our momentum

As we welcome our staff and students back from break, we are turning our gratitude into renewed action.

The second half of the school year is critical. It is the time when the strong foundations we built in the fall transform into measurable academic and social growth.

Our continued focus: We are doubling down on the three priorities that guide every decision we make:

Academic achievement: Ensuring every student is challenged and supported to reach their potential.

Strong Tier 1 instruction: Providing high-quality, effective teaching in every single classroom.

School culture: Fostering a climate where students feel safe, resilient, and inspired to learn.

The bottom line: We are energized by the progress we have made together and ready to reach new heights in the New Year.

💻 Website upgrade: Better access

Our IT department has completed a redesign of the Board of Education section on our district website.

We set a district goal this year to enhance transparency and ensure information is accessible to everyone. This redesign removes barriers to finding critical governance information.

What to expect:

Streamlined navigation: A cleaner layout that makes finding agendas, minutes, and policies faster.

Expanded resources: More comprehensive information readily available for the community.

📋 Track our Referendum Progress

We’ve updated the referendum section of the district website to outline the specific projects planned.

Why it matters: 

As we move forward, this hub ensures our community has a clear, real-time view of how these investments are improving our facilities. 

We will continuously refresh the page with photos and status updates as construction milestones are achieved.

📂 Registration for Preschool and Kindergarten Are Open

We are excited to share that registration information for the 2026–2027 school year is now available. 

Families are encouraged to review timelines carefully and submit Preschool registrations before the deadline.

🏅 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:

District Website

Referendum Updates

Sports Schedules

Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram

Looking forward to more great weeks ahead!

Warm regards,

Gary Lubisco, Jr.

Superintendent

Van Derveer Elementary School celebrated a successful Parent Academy on December 16th, with a focus on Early Literacy! Families learned about our comprehensive framework for supporting all students in their reading development, the assessments we utilize to identify students' strengths and instructional needs, and engaging activities they can use to promote literacy at home. We are thrilled with the positive participation and shared commitment to our students' success! Click here to access the presentation, which includes links to helpful activities and resources.

Homework can often be stressful and may lead to frustration or conflict between parents and children. This workshop is designed to provide practical tools and effective strategies to help make homework time more manageable, productive, and positive for both students and families. Parents will leave with ideas they can use immediately to reduce stress and support their child’s success.  See the flyer below for details.

To request a link for the virtual workshop, please email tmcdonald@somervilleschools.org. 

Somerville Public Schools is grateful to have been invited to participate in the ISTE+ASCD Generation AI Leadership Summit, a national convening of 200 education leaders. Our district was proud to send three representatives who spent time reflecting on our current AI practices, strengthening our leadership approach, and connecting with educators from across the country. This experience supports our continued commitment to thoughtful, responsible, and future-focused use of AI in teaching and learning.

Board of Education Meetings

• January 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM

• February 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• March 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• April 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• May 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• June 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• August 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• September 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• October 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• November 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• December 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
• January 5, 2027 at 6:00 PM

All Board of Education meetings are livestreamed

Visit the Athletic Hall of Fame Website to make a nomination, attend an event, and check out the inductees!

https://www.shshof.org/home