Dear Somerville Family,

🚀 A Promising Start to 2025–2026

The first weeks of school have been filled with energy, optimism, and purpose. From the moment our students stepped back into classrooms, it was clear that we are beginning the year with focus and momentum. What excites me most is how the work already underway reflects the district goals we set for 2025–2026.

🎯 District Goals Driving Our Work

At our August 26th Board of Education meeting, I shared three districtwide goals, rooted in the 2024 Curriculum Audit and our review of academic data:

• Academic Achievement Goal: By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, we will increase student proficiency of meeting or exceeding expectations on NJSLA by 3%.

• Tier 1 Data-Based Decision Making: By the end of the 2025-2026 school year all staff will build their capacity to implement high-quality tier 1 framework.

• Culture and Climate Goal: To implement an empirically supported third party assessment that will provide information leading to continuous enhancement of school climate and culture.

Already, you can see these goals in action:

• At the September 9th Board meeting, we reviewed both the ACCESS/NJGPA Performance Report and our Innovation in Education initiatives, ensuring decisions are grounded in data.

• Our teachers and administrators are working side by side to strengthen Tier 1 practices, ensuring all students benefit from excellent instruction.

• Planning is underway for a districtwide climate and culture survey that will give every voice in our community an opportunity to shape a stronger learning environment.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Strong Partnerships With Families

This September’s Back-to-School Nights at Van Derveer Elementary and Somerville Middle School were an incredible success. Many families attended and the conversations were energizing and meaningful. These evenings are more than a chance to meet teachers — they are the foundation of a partnership between home and school that is essential to achieving our district goals. We look forward to seeing you at the Somerville High School Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 25th.

📊 Staying Accountable

Our promise is to keep the community informed. Throughout the year, we will share updates on student achievement, instructional improvement, and school culture so you can see the progress your children and our district are making together.

💡 Looking Ahead

The early signs are clear: this will be a year of growth and opportunity for Somerville students. With the dedication of our teachers and staff, the support of families, and a unified commitment to our goals, we are on the path to helping every student reach their fullest potential.

🏅 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

📢 Important Reminder
If you haven’t already, please complete your Free and Reduced Lunch forms through the parent portal. These forms help determine our district’s state aid, so your participation is essential!

Looking forward to more great weeks ahead!

Warm regards,

Gary Lubisco, Jr.

Superintendent

Please click on this link to view the Driving Innovation in Education Presentation that was presented at the Board of Education Meeting on September 9, 2025

Parents of multilingual learners, teachers, school administrators, and community members, please join…

The Somerville Public Schools

English Second Language (ESL) Parent Advisory Committee

on September 29, 2025 at 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Van Derveer Elementary

What is the ESL Parent Advisory Committee?

• - A partnership between parents and schools

• - An opportunity for parents to share ideas and help shape program goals

• - A chance to learn together—parents build skills to support academics, and school staff and other members learn about various cultures and languages

• - A platform for parents to speak up, share ideas, concerns, and advocate for their multilingual learner children

• - The committee members will work together to meet the needs of our multilingual learners and their families

Your voice matters! We want to partner with you.

For More information contact:

Mary Kane, Director of Curriculum

(908) 218-4118

Lindsay Frevert, Principal, Van Derveer Elementary

(908) 218-4105

Dan Fenco, Translator

(908) 218-4100 x5200

Seniors who wish to register do NOT do so online and instead must return an order form with payment to the High School Counseling Department. Copies of the form are available for pickup in the Counseling Office or can be printed by using this link. The cost of the exam is $60. Students who qualify for Free/Reduced School Meals should inquire in the Counseling Department about possible fee reductions.  Order forms with the $60 payment are due by Friday, September 19th.

Qualifying students may be eligible for...

• Summer EBT food assistance

• Government programs or local scholarships that aim to serve economically disadvantaged families

• Fee waivers on SATs or other college entrance exams

• Fee waivers on college applications

If you qualified last year, but haven't re-applied this year please do so asap!  Otherwise your child will have to start paying for meals on October 17th (when the 30-day start-of-year grace period expires)

To apply, complete a hard copy form (available at all schools and BOE office) or complete an electronic form in the Realtime Parent Portal.

Complimentary Vaccine Clinics

Upcoming VFC clinics where they provide complimentary vaccines to students who are uninsured, enrolled in NJ Family Part A, Alaskan Native and Native American.

• September 30 – 230p-730p -Harrison School - 12 Harrison Ave North Plainfield, NJ 07060 (North Plainfield School District/Area)

• October 15 -430p-730p – Richard Hall -500 N Bridge St, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

The registration link, www.bit.ly/3HmSdLb, will open 45 days before the appointment date.