Somerville Public Schools

Congratulations to May Chau, our K–12 Supervisor of Visual Arts, who won the Francis Euphemia Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of the 2024 Common Good Awards from Massachusetts College of Art. The community is invited to the award event on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at MassArt. She is being honored for "her commitment to creating a collaborative and exploratory arts education environment. Chau’s approach encourages students to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills, fostering lifelong learning through art in one of Massachusetts’ most diverse school systems." Tickets: https://trst.in/rgpa2k (Photo credit: Ryan Sullivan)

Congratulations to our Director of Student Services, Liz Doncaster, for being selected as a 2024 "Second Step Educator of the Year" and "District Innovator." The awards are given by global nonprofit and leading social-emotional learning provider, Committee for Children. Liz, a former SPS educator, has been instrumental in advocating for and securing investments in social-emotional programs and supports in our schools. You can hear more about our SEL curriculum, including restorative practices, during our Facebook Live TOMORROW at 4 p.m.! (Pictured below is Liz, bottom left, leading district staff through a Restorative Circle.)

SPS Adult Education Department (SCALE) is offering early childhood education Training for English-learners. The program is free and classes will meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6–0:00 p.m. starting in the next few weeks. Please read the flier to learn more about the program. Visit the SCALE website to learn more about adult ed programming: https://lnkd.in/etCsBvZZ Register for the class: https://lnkd.in/eMun8Tgg

Somerville High School was named to the 2023–2024 AP? School Honor Roll! The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them to college success. Great job #SHSHighlander educators, administrators, counselors, and students! https://lnkd.in/edcsj5xi

Congratulations Veronica Ramos Rowlinson and Beatriz Thomas, who are highlighted in MassLive in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! Both are Somerville High School social studies teachers who were nominated by MassLive readers as people they consider to be Hispanic and Latino leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference across the state. Veronica Ramos Rowlinson uses education to further representation: https://lnkd.in/eGPzHAyv Beatriz Thomas teaches and inspires students in Somerville: https://lnkd.in/emNESQyw [Left: Ms. Rowlinson, Right: Ms. Beatriz]

It's Principal Appreciation Month and it's time to thank your amazing principals! We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our SPS principals. From left to right: Steve Marshall (Kennedy), Félix Caraballo (Capuano), Christopher Ames (Brown), Margaret Green (NWFC), André Pelletier (WSNS), Alicia Kersten (SHS), Glenda Soto (Argenziano), Courtney Gosselin (WHCIS), Sarah Wahl (Healey), Berenice Mace-Diaz (East).

SPS is hiring substitute teachers for all of our PK-12 schools. Come work with us! For more information or to apply visit https://lnkd.in/eZ5w5H2g.

Don't miss our first Facebook Live event with Superintendent Rubén Carmona! Get to know Dr. Carmona and our SFLC (family engagement) Director Ruth Santos virtually this Friday at 4:00 p.m. https://lnkd.in/dgXgvYcy

Our incredible SPS principals are ready and eager to welcome students back for the 2024-2025 school year! The first day of school for grades 1-12 is Wednesday, August 28th. The first day for PK and K students is Tuesday, September 3. Welcome back, SPS!

This week we officially welcomed new educators to SPS during New Educator Orientation. We are thrilled to introduce 80 new educators to our school communities next week. Welcome to our team!