Enjoy the beautiful spring weather during April Vacation next week. District and school offices will be closed on Monday, April 20th,
in observance of Patriots’ Day. No school April 20-24. See you on April 27th!

News & Notes

SHS Oceanography Field Trip
Somerville High School students in Ms. Quigley’s Oceanography class participated in the Marine Science Symposium held at Salem State University on March 18. The event included various ocean-themed workshops and a presentation by Liz Magee, a marine scientist who spent 31 days underwater doing ocean research in the Florida Keys.
Students commented on their experience:
“Fish have three pairs of otoliths in their body. They use them to sense changes and noises underwater.” –L.B.
“We dissected a fish’s head to extract the ear bones to tell the age of the fish.” –V.H.
“I learned that the Asian crab is an invasive species in New England. I also discovered new adaptations animals in the intertidal zone have.” — N.G.
“We played a kind of board game where we considered various courses of action to handle floods in Boston as the sea level rises.” –A.E.

Letter to Parents from District Attorney Ryan Regarding Prom Safety
With Senior Prom and High School Graduation events coming up soon, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan offers an important message to high school parents and guardians regarding prom safety. Read the letter at: http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/shs.

Hundreds Gather at City Hall for Week of the Young Child Event
An epic Week of the Young Child celebration in recognition of young children, families and teachers took place at City Hall on Tuesday morning as many of Somerville’s youngest residents and early childhood educators and supporters gathered for a morning of fun, learning, and advocacy. The celebration included trumpet-playing, singing, arts, city trucks, voting, and much more. Learn more about this amazing event that introduced some of Somerville’s youngest learners to the inner workings of Somerville’s City Hall, in the Somerville Early Education blog post.
http://somervilleearlyeducation.blogspot.com/2015/04/an-ounce-of-prevention-getting-off-to.html

Math Adventures during ESCS Math Afternoon Event
The East Somerville Community School held a 2-hour Math Afternoon event for all K-6 students on Friday, April 10th. Students and family members had an opportunity to participate in a variety of math-related activities to help reinforce students’ math skills in a fun environment, while connecting with friends.

What’s Happening

Patriots’ Day Celebration – April 20, 2015
Rain or shine, Somerville’s Patriot’s Day celebration takes place Monday, April 20th, from 10am – 11:30am at Foss Park. Mayor Curtatone and the Somerville Historic Preservation invite you to go back in time a bit, enjoy a Colonial Fair with light refreshments and children’s games and readings, and greet Paul Revere and Brown Beauty on their historic ride from the Old North Church in Boston to Lexington.

Free Math MCAS Tutoring During April Vacation – April 21-23, 2015
Free Math MCAS Tutoring for high school students will be offered during April vacation. Tutoring will be held at the Somerville High School Library (81 Highland Avenue) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 21-23, from 9AM-noon. All SPS high school students who will be taking the math MCAS in May are invited to attend.

Introduction to Competitive Swimming – April 27 to May 20, 2015
“Introduction to Competitive Swimming” starts the day after April break. This is a free program available to all Somerville Public Schools students in grades 3-8. Classes will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00pm starting April 27 and ending May 20, 2015. This program is based around the 4 competitive swim strokes – freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. The class gives students a good progression each day to develop strength and endurance while learning a new competitive stroke. Students must be able to swim 2 lengths of the pool using any of the strokes listed above in order to enroll in the program. Participants must provide their own bathing suit, goggles, swimming cap (or hair pulled back into a pony tail), and towel. Register your student by calling the Kennedy Pool at (617) 629-5445 or emailing Kennedy Pool Director, Rich Cheney at rcheney@k12.somerville.ma.us.

Mosaic Mural Unveiling at the Healey School – April 30, 2015
Join the celebration of the unveiling of “Healey on the Mystic River,” a mosaic mural created by Healey School students in grades 3-8, under the supervision of David Fichter and Healey Art Teacher, Mrs. DellaCamera. The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. at the entrance to the Arthur D. Healey School. Hope to see you there!

Somerville Adult Evening School Courses
Register for an adult evening course at: http://register.asapconnected.com/Default.aspx?org=3830 or in person at the Somerville High School Main Office (81 Highland Ave.). Course information and cost are available online. Select from a wide range of courses including: Zumba Gold, Yoga, Introduction to Computers, ESL, Spanish, Driver’s Ed, Academic Online Recovery, and more! Classes meet only on Tuesday or Thursday nights from 6-9pm. For more information about Somerville Adult Evening School courses, call (617) 629-5250, or contact Principal Sophia Carafotes at scarafotes@k12.somerville.ma.us or (617) 628-2594.

SCALE Adult Basic Education Orientation – June 9 & 10, 2015
Join the Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE) during its Adult Basic Education Orientation, to prepare for the HiSET. The following orientations are scheduled and will be held at 167 Holland Street in Somerville:
· Tuesday morning, June 9, 2015 – 9:00 am to 10:30 am
· Wednesday evening, June 10, 2015 – 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Please call (617) 629-5500 to register.

Upcoming School Events:
Visit your child’s school website, http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/schools, and click on the “calendar of events” link at the top of the page for a complete list of all the activities happening at school this month.
Monday-Friday, April 20-24: April Vacation (Includes Patriots’ Day) – NO SCHOOL
Tuesday-Thursday, April 21-23, 9:00am-noon: FREE Math MCAS Tutoring for all SPS high school students who will be taking the MCAS in May, at the Somerville High School Library (81 Highland Ave.)
Monday, April 27, 6:30-8:30pm: Basic Rights Workshop hosted by the Somerville Special Education PAC, at the Kennedy School Library (5 Cherry St.).
Tuesday, April 28, 5:30-7:00pm: ESCS School Improvement Council Meeting at the East Somerville Community School Library (50 Cross St.)
Tuesday, April 28, 6:00-7:30pm: Parent/Guardian Conferences at the Winter Hill Community Innovation School
Tuesday, April 28, 6:00-7:30pm: Parent/Guardian Conferences at Next Wave/Full Circle
Wednesday, April 29, during lunch: PEP Nutrition Education Taste Test at the West Somerville Neighborhood School
Wednesday, April 29, 1:00-3:00pm: 2nd Annual Band Festival at the SHS Auditorium (81 Highland Ave.)
Wednesday, April 29, 7:00-8:30pm: Parent/Guardian Conferences at Somerville High School
Thursday, April 30, 5:00-6:30pm: Friends of the Healey Community Meeting at the Healey Library (5 Meacham St.)
Thursday, April 30, 5:30pm: “Healey on the Mystic River” Mosaic Mural Unveiling at the Healey (5 Meacham St.)
Thursday, April 30, 6:00-7:30pm: Parent/Guardian Conferences at the Healey School
Thursday, April 30, 6:00-7:30pm: Family Math Night at the Brown School (201 Willow Ave.)
Thursday, April 30, 7:00pm: SHS Spring Concert at the Somerville High School Library (81 Highland Ave.)

Upcoming Somerville Family Learning Collaborative Workshops and Events
Find a complete list of SFLC events and workshops, and register for upcoming workshops at http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/families/workshops.
Wednesday, April 29, 9:00-10:00am at the Capuano Early Childhood Center (150 Glen Street): “I am a Brain Builder” Parent Workshop. Join SFLC staff for a conversation in English, Spanish and Portuguese about children’s brain development, and ideas and strategies for turning any moment into a “Brain Building” moment.

Upcoming School Committee Meetings
Find the complete School Committee schedule, agendas and meeting minutes (as approved) online at http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/school_committee.
Monday, April 27, 7:00pm: Regular School Committee Meeting at the Board of Aldermen’s Chambers, Somerville City Hall (93 Highland Avenue)
Monday, May 4, 6:00-6:55pm: Rules Management Subcommittee Meeting at the Board of Aldermen’s Chambers, Somerville City Hall (93 Highland Avenue)
Monday, May 4, 7:00pm: Regular School Committee Meeting at the Board of Aldermen’s Chambers, Somerville City Hall (93 Highland Avenue)
Wednesday, May 6, 7:00pm: Finance & Facilities Subcommittee Meeting at the Central Office Conference Room (42 Cross Street)

Community News & Events
Boston Renegades Season Opening Game – April 18, 7:00pm – FREE to SPS Students, with a school ID. The Boston Renegades women’s professional football team is pleased to announce their season opening game against the Central Maryland Seahawks on Saturday, April 18th at 7:00 pm at Dilboy Stadium. Somerville Public School students are invited to attend the opening game for free with a school ID. Visit bostonrenegadesfootball.com for more information about the Boston Renegades.
6th Annual Shape Up Somerville/Recreation Road Race – April 19 – 10:30am. The 6th Annual Road Race begins at 10:30am at the Somerville High School concourse (81 Highland Avenue). The day begins with a one-mile children’s Fun Run, includes a 5K race and walk, and concludes with a celebration for runners at Casey’s Grill at 173 Broadway. Registration is open to all community members at a price of $5 for youth under age 10, and $20 for adults. Applications are available at http://www.SomervilleYouthRecF.org and http://www.somervillerec.com. For additional information, contact the Somerville Recreation Department at (617) 625-6600, ext. 2980.
Somerville Patriots’ Day Celebration – April 20 – 10:00-11:30am. Rain or shine, Somerville’s Patriots’ Day celebration will take place on Monday, April 20th at Foss Park. Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Historic Preservation invite you to go back in time a bit, enjoy a Colonial Fair with light refreshments and children’s games and readings, and greet Paul Revere and Brown Beauty on their historic ride from the Old North Church in Boston to Lexington. You are encouraged to join in Colonial clothing! For clothing ideas or other information, contact Historic Somerville at http://www.info@historicsomerville.org via Barbara Magnum at 617-625-5809 or admin@historicsomerville.org, or the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission via Brandon Wilson at bwilson@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2532.
Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program – Application Deadline April 24, 2015. The Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program is now accepting applications for summer 2015. Applications are now available at the Personnel Department in City Hall, and will be accepted until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 24. Eligible students must be Somerville residents, enrolled in high school, and at least 16 years of age. All applicants will be called for an interview during the week of April 27 – May 1, and selected youth must complete an orientation prior to the beginning of the program. Summer jobs require approximately 20 hours per week, though actual schedules will vary by employer. If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact Director of Human Services, Nancy Bacci, at 617-625-6600 ext. 2250 or NBacci@somervillema.gov
April 20-24 – Arts at the Armory April Vacation Literary Arts Series. From April 20-24, the Center for Arts at the Armory is offering a week-long series in the Literary Arts for students in grades 1-8. Participants will learn creative writing skills in a fun and imaginative way with plenty of age-appropriate games, activities, and visual art aides. The week will start off with Writing Short Stories on Monday followed by Creating Characters and Setting (Tuesday), Film and Play Writing (Wednesday), Slam Poetry (Thursday), and ending the week with Comedy Writing (Friday). The series offers young artists a chance to create original work and to improve their writing skills in a creative environment that fosters individual expression. Registration is online at http://goo.gl/forms/T2XBhgkH7C. $200 for the week or $50/day with options available for sliding scale and/or scholarships. Questions? Contact edprograms@artsatthearmory.org.
April 25 – KultureCity/Toys AUcross America “Autism Christmas” Event. To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, KultureCity presents a ToysAUcross America production, “Autism Christmas,” on April 25, 2015 from 12-4pm at the Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge (212 Hampshire St.). Bring your “wizard” to receive a toy and a smile. All families within the Autism/Asperger’s community are welcome. Gifts are provided by friends of Toys AUcross America. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/toysaucrossamerica. To register, please send an email to Autismchristmas2015@gmail.com. Learn more about KultureCity at http://www.kulturecity.org.
Somerville Arts Council “Art in the Garden” Summer Program – Registration Period March 17-April 30, 2015.
Art in the Garden is a summer art and nature program coordinated by the Somerville Arts Council for ages 6-11. Each week, we explore a specific theme through fine arts, gardening, nature exploration and field trips. Program begins on July 6. Due to high demand for this program, this year you may only register for up to four weeks, but may receive less. Our goal remains to make this program accessible to many families regardless of income. For Somerville residents only, this program is held at the beautiful Community Growing Center at Vinal Avenue (b/w Summer and Highland). The program takes place on Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 3:00. Registration period/deadline: March 17 to April 30. Questions? Call the Somerville Arts Council at (617) 625-6600, x2985. To learn more about Art in the Garden, visit http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/artinthegarden.
Somerville Arts Council “Musical Theater Camp” – Registration Deadline April 30, 2015. Working from the success of our Art in the Garden program, this summer we are offering a three-week, full day, summer camp that is focused on musical theater. Your child, aged 8 to 13, will shine on stage at the Armory in this exciting production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. This 60-minute, Young Performer’s edition of the 2008 Broadway production will bring your performer on an adventure in a magical underwater kingdom and up to grand castles as they portray the range of characters, both human and animal. The program will be held in the wonderful Arts at the Armory and take place from July 13- 31, 2015, 9:00am- 4:30pm. Drop off begins at 8:30; pick up no later than 5:00 p.m. Registration deadline: April 20. Questions? Call the Somerville Arts Council at (617) 625-6600, x2985. To learn more about Musical Theater Camp, visit http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/musicalcamp.
Somerville Sunsetters 2015 Auditions. Talented, energetic, musical teens ages 12-18 are invited to audition for Somerville Sunsetters 2015. Auditions will be held Thursday, May 7th, 5-7pm in the City Cable Studio located beneath the Somerville High School Library. Please arrive prepared with a song to sing. iPod hook-up and a CD player will be provided. This is a paid position that requires a strong commitment. The group meets four times a week in May and June for required 2-hour rehearsals, and performs 45-minute shows four nights a week throughout the summer until August 12th. For more information, contact Jimmy Del Ponte at (617) 625-6600, ext. 2616 or via email at jimmydel@rcn.com.

Looking Ahead
A look at some of the events/activities in the Somerville Public Schools that are taking place in the coming weeks.
Tuesday, May 5: Kennedy Parent/Guardian Conferences
Tuesday, May 5: 3rd Annual World Language Awards Night
Wednesday, May: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Workshop
Wednesday, May 6: Argenziano Parent/Guardian Conferences
Wednesday, May 6: CTE Vocational Senior Awards Banquet
Thursday, May 7: ESCS PTA/Principal Roundtables
Thursday, May 7: PCG Presentation of Special Education Report – Parent Forum
Thursday, May 7: WSNS Mosaic Mural Unveiling
Thursday, May 7: West Somerville Neighborhood School Parent/Guardian Conferences
Thursday, May 7: Spring String Fling
Friday, May 8: Somerville High School Senior Prom

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Have something to share with the community? Send information to connections@k12.somerville.ma.us to share your event.
Include date, time and name of event, along with any additional pertinent information. Or, submit your event to http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/events.