Van Derveer Elementary School
2 School Closed - Yom Kippur
3 School Closed for students - Staff Development
6-10 Week of Respect (Spirit Week info below)
13 PS-5 Picture Day
16 7-8pm SEPAG Workshop virtual, contact for more info: somervillenjsepag@gmail.com
23 PS-2 Fun with Pumpkins, 6pm-7:30pm
25 PTO Trunk or Treat, 4pm-6pm
27-31 Red Ribbon Week (Spirit Week info below)
29 School Spirit Day
31 PS-5 Halloween Parade, 9:15am
Nov 6-7 - School Closed NJEA Convention
During dismissal, please try to not stand on the sidewalk to pick up your child as classes are typically trying to get to their location for dismissal.
Thank you to all VDV family members that attended our Back to School Night! We hope you left with any questions answered and that you got to meet many VDV staff members!
Monday, 10/6 Wear Blue.
Tuesday, 10/7 Wear a shirt with a positive or empowering message.
Wednesday, 10/8 Wear something that helps you feel relaxed, calm and comfy.
Thursday, 10/9 Wear something that represents you! It can represent your culture, your favorite color, your hobby, etc.
Friday, 10/10 Wear a team shirt or jersey!
Picture Day is October 13th for all Preschool through Grade 5 students.
Click HERE to pre-order
The prepay code is 7H8W6S4W
Monday 10/27 Wear Red.
Tuesday 10/28 Wear bright colors.
Wednesday 10/29 Wear Van DerGear or black & gold & join our walking school bus.
Thursday 10/30 Wear your favorite hat.
Friday 10/31 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Wear your Halloween costume.
*Weather permitting- this is an outdoor event. Please dress accordingly.
*Please RSVP using the flyer that was sent home with PS-2 students.
*Please bring a small pumpkin.
**Please notify your child's teacher if your family does not observe Halloween. Thank you.
Please join us for a Halloween Parade, (weather permitting) Friday, October 31st at 9:15am.
Students are permitted to wear their costumes to school. Class parties will be coordinated by class parents. Please DO NOT send your child(ren) to school with any food/candy.
*swords, weapons and any other props are not school appropriate and should not be brought to school. Please keep the extra costume props at home.
Somerset County's Journey Through the Past days during October (10th and 11th). These are FREE activities for families to participate in right here in Somerville, and other areas within Somerset County!
Please nominate (1) VDV Teacher of the Year & (1) VDV Educational Services Professional of the Year. Nominations are due to Susanne Alessio, VDV Secretary, by 11/5. Please bring your completed nomination form to the Main Office or email your nomination form to salessio@somervilleschools.org.
Click here for information.
Click here for a nomination form.
This month, students in grades K-8 completed i-Ready diagnostic assessments for Math and Reading. First through fifth graders also took the Independent Reading Level Assesment (IRLA).
In the coming weeks, you'll receive a parent/family report with details about your child's performance on these assessments.
For more information about i-Ready and how to understand the report, please refer to the English report or the Spanish report here.
Our school is partnering with the Somerville Environmental Commission to establish a new native pollinator garden supported by a generous grant from the Native Plant Society - Somerset Chapter. This garden will exclusively feature native plants, ensuring a vital food source & habitat for pollinators, while providing an exceptional, nature-based space for our students to learn outside.
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.
We understand that our parking lot can be difficult during arrival and dismissal, but if we all work together we can ensure a safe and timely arrival and dismissal. Getting all students into school safely is our main concern. The monitors are there to help ensure traffic flows smoothly. Please treat them kindly. We appreciate your patience.
Do the following when on VDV property...
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.
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, DO NOT PARK IN ANY NUMBERED PARKING 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 2:15pm (PS), 2:55pm (K-5).
Thank you to VDV Crossing Guard Bob for his beautification of the walkways on the way into VDV from Union Avenue.
If your child has a medical condition and needs emergency medication, please have their doctor complete the action plans and hand deliver their medication to the nurses.
This will be expected before they go on any field trips.
Thank you!
Visit myschoolbucks.com to set up or add money to a lunch account for your student(s).
Meet VDV staff members at the pickleball court on Veterans Memorial at 8am every Wednesday (weather permitting) and walk to VDV with other students and staff!
We are very excited for the new school year! This is just a friendly reminder that on days your child has physical education, please have them:
Wear appropriate and supportive footwear (sneakers, please. No sandals, boots, heels, Crocs, etc.)
Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in.
Bring a water bottle.
Thank you for your understanding and support in this matter. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Ms. Breeman & Mrs. Iannella
P.E & Health Teachers, VDV
Be In the Know - Join the PTO!
You still have time to sign up for your annual PTO membership today! Support the children and staff of VDV and SMS; plus you'll receive our weekly emails Join now at https://bit.ly/pto2025somerville
Week of October 13th: Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser kicks off!
Brochures will be sent home with your student and orders are due Monday, November 3rd! For more details on how to order, see the flyer at https://bit.ly/2025-gertrudehawk. This Fundraiser is our biggest of the year and will help us continue events like Trunk or Treat, Holiday Shop, Book Fairs, Field Day treats, graduation celebrations and much more!
Grab some fresh gear for your child to show off their school spirit. Online store is open at bit.ly/villepk8spiritwear - or shop in person at Trunk or Treat on Saturday 10/25!
Wednesday 10/15: PTO Dine to Donate at Turf Surf & Earth from 4-8pm
Grab your dinner as take out (phone or online) or dine in person at Somerville’s Turf Surf & Earth and mention the PTO or download the flyer on your phone at https://bit.ly/pto-TSE2025
Saturday 10/25: PTO Trunk or Treat 4-6pm
4-4:30pm Special Needs/Sensory Friendly, 4:30-6pm Open to All
Join us for a family-friendly afternoon of candy, costumes, games and prizes at VDV. We need families to decorate trunks, volunteer and donate candy! Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/2025ville-halloween and drop off your candy in the candy monsters at the front entrances!
The Recreation Department is currently accepting registrations for the following programs:
FALL PROGRAMS
Senior Luncheon - Sunday, Oct 5 12-2pm at the American Legion. Free to Somerville residents ages 55+. Registration is required.
House Decor Contest - Decorate your house no later than Sunday, Oct 26. Autumnal or Halloween themed decor is welcomed. A variety of prizes will be awarded, and a map of participating houses will be shared for all to enjoy. Registration is free! Deadline to enter is Tuesday, Oct. 21.
WINTER PROGRAMS (Children MUST reside or attend school in Somerville)
RIB Basketball League - Grades 3-8 Deadline is Nov 5th. $80
DST Beginner Basketball Clinic - Friday nights Jan/Feb at VDV 6-7pm. Grades 1&2. Deadline Dec 30. $95
The Somerville Spooktacular will be held on Thursday, Oct 30th from 4-6pm. FREE family fun for kids of all ages along Main Street, Division Street, and on the County Courthouse lawn. Sponsored by the Downtown Somerville Alliance.
Tenth Annual Somerville 5K Turkey Trot Nov 27 at 9am Register at www.somervilleturkeytrot.com Price increases on Oct 1st!
Please follow us on social media for all the latest information! (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
Registrations are accepted in person, by mail, or electronically at https://register.communitypass.net/somerville
Come Play Lacrosse with the Jr. Pioneers!
Looking to try something new, stay active, and have fun this fall? Join Jr. Pioneers Lacrosse for FREE lacrosse clinics every Saturday from 12:30–1:30 PM, running October 4th through November 8th at Staats Farm field in Branchburg (16-26 Thoroughbred Dr, Branchburg, NJ 08876)!
No experience or equipment needed — just bring your energy and we’ll take care of the rest. Open to boys and girls of all skill levels.
If you have any questions please reach out to JrPioneersLAX@Gmail.com.
Learn the game, build skills, and make new friends.
We can’t wait to see you on the field!
The Somerville SEPAG is a parent-led organization that provides guidance and counsel to the district regarding best practices in special education and related services. Our organization is open to all parents of students with special needs from early intervention to high school, whether they are in the special services system or interested in more information. We work with confidentiality to individual situations and advocate for district-wide systemic policy improvement. The Special Education Parents Advisory Group (SEPAG) is for ALL parents of students in the Somerville District needing special services support, including Van Elementary School, Somerville Middle School, Somerville High School, and off-campus.
The mission of the Somerville SEPAG group is:
1.) To provide support to parents of children with disabilities, and those in need of services.
2.) To foster communication between parents and the school district and to provide input on how to best support children with additional needs, so that they may be set up for success academically and socially, in the best possible classroom environment.
Find us here:
Pack 80 started the new scouting year welcoming returning and new Scouts and families at Back to School Night and other gatherings.
September Pack Meeting: We kicked off the new program year learning our Bobcat requirements including the Scout Oath, Law and Motto and ended with an ice cream social. It was a fun way to reconnect, make new friends, learn about the year's adventures while fostering community & friendship!
Camping at Quail Hill Scout Reservation: Scouts learned new skills and had great bonding experiences as they hiked, fished, learned about archery and flag ceremonies. There were also s'mores, of course!
Looking Ahead
Cheesecake sale: Pack 80 is once again selling cheesecakes from Maddalenas. Contact your favorite Cub Scout to order delicious cheesecakes by October 24th and have delivery for Thanksgiving desserts.
Den Meetings: Regular, grade level meetings, where Scouts work on "adventures" to earn badges, learn and advance ranks, building teamwork & problem-solving skills.
October Pack Meeting: October 24th at 7:00pm, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Pack 80 will have age-appropriate spooky fun, with games, costumes and treats, offering a chance for creativity and festive memories. Let us know if you are interested so we have enough supplies. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/1-C0B44ABA92CA2FBC25-58850656-halloween
Scouting for Food: In the first week of November, Pack 80 will participate in the annual food Drive. Scouts will collect non-perishable food for local food banks, teaching empathy, responsibility and the importance of helping the community. Bags will be dropped off on November 1st and we will return for pick up on November 8th.
Come discover Cub Scout Pack 80, where fun, friendship and adventure, awaits your child! Contact CubScoutPack80@gmail.com for more info!
