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A LOT of changes have happened at Van Derveer this summer, and our building is looking a little different! Officer Sal will have a new area (to the right of the main door) where all visitors will sign in and enter the building. A few dates to remember...
The Realtime Parent Portal opened on August 17th. Please be sure to login to your student(s) account. The questions on the portal need to be answered prior to the start of every school year. This includes the dismissal procedure form.
Be sure to read through our 26/27 Family Manual when logging into the Parent Portal. You will find policies, arrival/dismissal locations and procedures, a calendar of events and so much more. *If you need assistance with logging in to your portal account, please contact the VDV Main Office at 908-218-4105. VDV will be closed September 4th & September 7th in observance of Labor Day. Back to School Night will be held Thursday, September 10th. (details below) Just a few reminders... DO NOT park in NUMBERED parking spots. These spots are for staff members. There should be NO double parking during arrival and dismissal.
Please use our drop and go system for arrival each morning which should alleviate some of the traffic each morning. Please follow the traffic patterns below. |
We are thrilled to welcome everyone back to VDV for what is sure to be a great school year! We are off to a great start.
A HUGE shout-out goes to our custodial and office staff for their tireless efforts throughout the summer. They worked incredibly hard to keep everything moving, coordinate with contractors, prepare classrooms and offices, organize materials, and get our school ready for opening. Their dedication and commitment to Van Derveer does not go unnoticed. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! |
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9/4 & 9/7 School Closed - Labor Day 9/10 1/2 Day for all students
9/10 Back to School Night, 6:30PM (details below) 9/11 PTO Ice Cream Social, 5:30PM 9/16 Start of Walking Wednesday 9/21 School Closed - Yom Kippur 9/30 School Spirit Day |
An Update on Our Student Academic Goals!
We are thrilled to share some fantastic news! Thanks to the hard work of our students and teachers, we successfully met our 2025–2026 school year growth goals on our end-of-year i-Ready assessments!
To keep our momentum going and maintain a high standard of learning, in alignment with the Somerville Public School District goals, we are shifting our focus for the 2026–2027 school year from individual growth targets to grade-level proficiency targets. Focusing on key foundational skills ensures our students master the essential building blocks for long-term success.
Our 2026–2027 Van Derveer School Goals: Reading: We aim to increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations in i-Ready Foundational Literacy Tasks by 3%.
Math: We aim to increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations in two critical areas—i-Ready Numbers & Operations and Algebra & Algebraic Thinking—by 3%. Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we work together to support your child's learning journey and build a bright academic future! |
Building Bridges: A New Preschool Partnership with the YMCA -Monica Clewell, Supervisor of Early Education
There is so much to celebrate as we begin the new school year! Somerville School District is excited to launch a new Preschool Partnership with the YMCA, bringing together our preschool communities at Van Derveer Elementary School (VDV) and the Somerville YMCA.
With new preschool classrooms opening at both locations, this partnership creates exciting opportunities for our educators to learn, grow, and collaborate as one preschool community. Staff will participate in shared professional development focused on The Creative Curriculum and our new Kickstart Literacy program, helping to build consistent, high-quality learning experiences for children across both sites. As Somerville School District’s new Supervisor of Early Childhood, along with Vee Adams, the YMCA’s new Director of Youth Services, we have been working closely this summer to bring the two programs together for the start of the school year. This collaboration marks the beginning of a strong partnership centered on supporting our preschool staff, children, and families.
We are excited for all that lies ahead and look forward to a year filled with connection, collaboration, and learning—together! |
Meet VDV staff members at the pickleball court on Veterans Memorial at 8 am every Wednesday, starting 9/16 (weather permitting) and walk to VDV with other students and staff! |
When visiting VDV or picking up a student for early dismissal... A valid form of ID will be REQUIRED EVERY TIME you need to enter the building or sign-out a student(s). Visitors will be REQUIRED to wear a visitor's tag at all times 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 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 with this matter. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Ms. Breeman & Mrs. Iannella P.E & Health Teachers, VDV |
All students who are in PRESCHOOL, regardless of their age, will need to show proof of the flu shot before November 30, 2026.
Please email both nurses this information when the immunization is received. If proof of vaccination is not provided, your child will be excluded from school. Most KINDERGARTEN students are in need of additional immunizations prior to beginning Kindergarten.
Please email both nurses the updated immunization records as soon as possible and before Monday, October 5, 2026. If proof of vaccination is not provided, your child will be excluded from school. Jennifer Shaw - jshaw@somervilleschools.org 908-243-1514 Cynthia Brennan - cybrennan@somervilleschools.org 908-243-1506
Thank you! |
Access cafeteria pricing information HERE. Register for an online payment account using the links below.
English Spanish |
A 2026-2027 PTO membership form was sent home on the 1st day of school. |
VDV Ice Cream Social - Join the PTO for some ice cream on September 11th at 5:30 at VDV. Please RSVP at: https://bit.ly/2026PTOicecream
VDV & SMS Spirit Wear On Sale! - Grab some new gear for a new year and show off your school spirit with VDV Spirit Wear! Online store is open at bit.ly/villepk8spiritwear
Become a Member - Join the PTO to be in the know! Membership dues are only $10 per family and help to fund all the fun activities we run for the kids. Bit.ly/pto-membership-2026
Our first meeting of the year is Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 - 8:00pm in the VDV Media Center. Trunk or Treat is coming! Save the date for October 31st! |
NJ Santos FC Rush Soccer Clinic & Games (Ages 4-7) Somerville Recreation is partnering with NJ Santos FC Rush to provide
development, academy style soccer training. Kids will develop foot-skills, ball control and a love of the game through technical drills and games. Players will leave each week having built on the skills they learned during previous sessions to create a lasting skillset.
Boys and Girls; Ages 4-7 (children must reside or attend school in Somerville)
Dates/Times: Saturdays, September 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17 (Make-up Oct 24)
Registrations will be accepted from July 24 - September 8
Online registration is encouraged at https://register.communitypass.net/somerville
Forms and checks payable to Somerville Recreation can be mailed to 25 West End Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876 Attn: Recreation |
The Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) is a parent-led, district-level advisory group that provides input and recommendations to the Somerville Public Schools regarding systemic issues related to special education programs and services. The SEPAG is open to all parents and caregivers in the Somerville School District, including parents of students with disabilities, parents who have concerns about their child’s learning or development, and parents who wish to learn more about special education and related services from early intervention through high school. The SEPAG focuses on district-wide practices and programs. In accordance with New Jersey regulations, the SEPAG does not discuss individual student cases or confidential student matters. The SEPAG works collaboratively with CST and district administration to identify trends, share parent perspectives, and support continuous improvement in special education services across all Somerville schools, including Van Derveer Elementary School, Somerville Middle School, Somerville High School, and out-of-district placements.
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