4 Spring Family Movie Night, SMS 7-9PM
7-11 Week of the Young Child
14-18 Spring Break
22 Earth Day
24 Take Your Child to Work Day
29-30 NJSLA ELA 3-5
30 School Spirit
Van Derveer Elementary School
Looking Ahead...
Congratulations to VDV 5th graders on their graduation from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program! VDV & the Somerville Police Department are very proud of you!
Somerville High School Genesis and Interact Club members will be hosting their Spring Family Community Movie Night on Friday, April 4th, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Somerville Middle School Auditorium.
Week of the Young Child, which will take place April 7-11, is a special celebration of our young learners here at Van Derveer. Please see below for a schedule of activities...
Use the link below to give your child permission to taste the selected cereals.
Principal's Corner...
Take Your Child to Work Day will be held Thursday, April 24th @ Van Derveer. Please click on the link below to access the Permission Slip for your child to be out of school for TYCTWD.
Please continue to use the designated drop-off lanes in the morning. These lanes are designated to facilitate an efficient flow of traffic and provide a safe environment for all students.
Please move all the way up in the drop-off lane each morning so that multiple families can drop off their children at the same time.
Do NOT parallel park in unauthorized areas. Parking in these areas can obstruct traffic and pose safety concerns.
In the morning, please refrain from parking in an numbered spots. These spots are reserved for our teachers and staff and it is essential that they remain available to them upon their arrival.
During dismissal, please find an available spot to park. Do NOT park in an area that will clog traffic. Students will be dismissed starting promptly at 2:55PM.
We understand that traffic in the morning causes delays. We appreciate your patience.
Join VDV staff members every Wednesday and walk to school together! Meet at the pickleball court on Veterans Memorial at 8am.
Visit myschoolbucks.com to set up or add money to a lunch account for your student(s).
VDV will be closed Monday, April 14th through Friday, April 18th for Spring Break. VDV will reopen Monday, April 21st.
Earth Day is April 22nd! VDV students will be celebrating with Earth Day themed lessons!
Wear black & gold on Wednesday, April 30th for school Spirit Day!!
Thank you to all Variety Show participants for another successful, talent-filled evening!
Please keep in mind when visiting Van Derveer or picking up a student for early dismissal...
A valid form of ID will be REQUIRED EVERY TIME you need to enter the building. Visitors are required to wear a visitor's tag at all time while at VDV. NO exceptions will be made.
A valid form of ID will also be REQUIRED EVERY TIME a parent/guardian needs to pick up a child early for any reason. NO exceptions will be made.
In an effort to reduce our schools rates of chronic absenteeism, attendance letters will be mailed out for all students with 5 and above absences and tardies.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as being absent from school 10% of the school year. We are approaching the th day of school, so therefore if your child has 10 or more absences, they are considered chronically absent.
Attendance letters will be mailed home and are also available on the Realtime Parent Portal. If you have any further questions regarding your child's attendance, please contact the main office.
1 Helen Doherty Science Fair, 4 to 6PM
5-9 Staff Appreciation
5-8 NJSLA-Math, Grades 3-5
12-13 NJSLA-Science, Grade 5 only
20 4/5 Spring Concert, 6pm SHS
21 PTO Meeting, 7pm
23 1/2 Day & Field Day
26 Closed - Memorial Day
28 Spirit Day
Help our social workers stock a Comfort Closet for students. Donations of new and/or gently used clothing items are greatly appreciated - sizes, drop off details and more can be found on our sign-up at https://bit.ly/vdvcomfortcloset
Attention VDV Junior Scientists : Please Sign up to participate in the:
The Helen Doherty Science Fair
Location & Date: VDV Gymnasium May 1, 2025
Deadline to register is Thursday, April 24, 2025
Get ready to be creative and start planning your science fair project. Please sign up to participate in the noncompetitive Helen Doherty Science Fair using the link above. Students will be invited to complete a science project at home and bring it in to display during our science fair on May 1, 2025.
Parent Scientists, Engineers, and Designers: If you work in the science, engineering, or design industry and would like to volunteer on May 1st to speak with our junior scientists, please reach out to Amanda, Nancy, or Trevor at aduckworth@somervilleschools.org, nkishbaugh@somervilleschools.org, or tprice@somervilleschools.org
Staff Appreciation Week is May 5th to May 9th! Stay tuned for Spirit Week information!
We are in need of adult size blow up costumes for Field Day! If you are willing to let us borrow your costume for 5/23, please drop it off at the main door.
5th Grade T-Shirt Designs - Due Wednesday 4/9
Show your creativity and design your graduation shirt! Details were shared with students but just a reminder that designs are due to your homeroom teacher by Wednesday 4/9.
Student Movement Against Cancer (SMAC - Somerville High School) is running a shoe drive fundraiser and we are making this a district-wide event! The good news, you don't have to buy anything!! We have partnered with an organization called Funds2Org. Our mission is to collect new and gently used shoes, which will benefit our local and greater community in 3 ways:
It helps clear out closets and protects the environment (keeps shoes out of landfills)
The shoes are donated to developing countries to support their economies
SMAC will receive a monetary donation based on the number of shoes donated (our primary beneficiary is the Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation and other initiatives that support cancer research).
Our goal is to collect at least 2,500 pairs of shoes. It sounds like a lot and we believe we can do it with your help! Collection bins are located at your front entrance.
Collection Dates 3/3 - 4/25 - collection bins are located at your front entrance.
We’ve included a YouTube video and slideshow. Please take a moment to learn more about this initiative.
4th Annual Egg-Stravaganza - a free community event where you can meet first responders & check out emergency vehicles.
Saturday April 12th, 11:30-12:30PM at Lepp Park (field across from squad building)
**10:30 to 11:00AM will be a sensory friendly environment only.
Paraprofessional Appreciation Day was April 2nd! We thank our Instructional Assistants today & everyday!
Use the QR Code above to purchase a 24-25 yearbook. Deadline to order is May 9th, 2025.
Somerville Earth Day Programs... Scan the QR Code above for more details!
5th grade baby pictures for the yearbook are due 4/11/2025. Email a picture of you holding your baby picture to vdvyearbook@somervilleschools.org
Field Day Volunteers Needed - Friday May 23rd
Join us for a fun-filled outdoor event with games, ice pops, and plenty of smiles. Volunteer and enjoy the day while cheering on your child. We need parent help to make it a success—sign up now at https://bit.ly/vdv-2025fieldday. Field Day will be held on Friday 5/23 with a rain date of Friday 5/30.
Treat your Teacher to Lunch: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
The PTO will celebrate our amazing staff the entire week of May 5-9th, including a catered lunch, treats, and more goodies. Help buy your teacher lunch with a donation at https://bit.ly/2025-teacherlunch - be sure to leave a note with your donation that will be passed on for all the staff to read!
Show us your SPIRIT(wear) Contest! Ends 4/30
Submit your photos wearing your VDV gear using #SomervilleSpiritSquad on socials or email info@somervillenjpto.com by April 30th! One student and one teacher will be randomly selected to win a spirit wear item of their choice! See flyer for details.
Wednesday 4/23: PTO Meeting @ 7pm in the VDV Media Center
Join the PTO for their April meeting on Wednesday 4/23 @ 7pm in the VDV Media Center or a virtual option is available. For more details, go to https://www.somervillenjpto.com/events-meetings
