Somerville Public Schools

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡 Each week, we'll feature one of our staff members at The Ville who contributes to students' academic success and helps shape their path here at Somerville! This week is Van Derveer School's Mrs. Stacey Tumminello! Stacey Tumminello moved to Somerville from Staten Island, N.Y. in 2004 to start raising her family. Mrs. Tumminello started volunteering at VanDerveer in 2009 when her son, Nick, started kindergarten. She was class mom each year and volunteered for the Tricky Tray Committee. In 2012, Mrs. Tumminello was hired to teach at VDV. She taught fourth grade for 9 years and was the grade level leader for four. Then, she began teaching fifth grade ELA four years ago. Stacey taught the ELL group for two years and is currently team teaching the inclusion class with Mrs. Pschar. She has been a mentor for a middle school student and mentor for a high school intern. In addition, Mrs. Tumminello enjoys hosting the Tomorrows’ Teachers in her classroom each year. She has been a cooperating teacher twice and continued to mentor those teachers after they were hired at VDV. Stacey is on the Science Fair and Variety Show committees. She is currently in her 13th year teaching at VDV! She feels blessed to have had all three of her boys attend the school and treasures the memories made with her students over the years. Mrs. Tumminello looks forward to continuing her career in making a positive impact on her amazing students. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away - Maya Angelou." Thank you for all that you do for the Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervillenjschools

Mark your calendar – we're hosting an in-person forum on Feb. 19 so the Somerville community can learn about the proposal from a panel of experts, Board members and district administrators. Details will be available at somervilleschools.org/page/vote.

Voter approval on March 11 would provide necessary funding to update our schools, keep them aligned with the community’s standards and equip students for the future. Learn more about what could be next for our schools at somervilleschools.org/page/vote.

Looking for more information about the bond referendum? The district recently launched a dedicated website and FAQs. The site will be continually updated leading up to the vote: somervilleschools.org/page/vote.

Somerville residents will be asked to vote on March 11 on a two-question proposal to provide spaces that match our tradition of quality academics, athletics, and performing arts for all students. Leading up to the vote, the district and Board of Education will share information on social media and the dedicated website somervilleschools.org/page/vote.

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡Each week, we'll feature our staff members at The Ville who contribute to student's academic success and help shape their path here at Somerville! This week, it's Mrs. Dayna Iannuzzi from Somerville High School! An English educator since 2006, Dayna Iannuzzi primarily teaches junior students. She has also taught sophomores and seniors and, most recently, Journalism. She prides herself on fostering a classroom environment where learners feel safe, seen, and valued as part of a supportive community. Believing that students thrive when they feel comfortable, Dayna encourages them to take ownership of their education and actively engage with the learning process. In addition, she feels that building strong, meaningful relationships with her students creates an environment where students lean into their academic potential. She often encourages her students to "never compromise who they are," echoing the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”For many years, she has participated in the school’s Targeted Support Program, where all students can receive tutoring before and after school. In addition to her students, it provides a valuable opportunity to connect with and support new students within the school community. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is a proud mom of three and feels her role as a mother brings a deep sense of compassion and understanding to her interactions with students. She loves being part of the Ville community! Thank you for all that you do for The Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervilleschoolsnj #somervillestafffeature

🎉✨ You're Invited! ✨🎉 Join us for the Latino Conference 2025! 📅 When: Saturday, February 1, 2025 ⏰ Time: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM 📍 Where: Somerville High School Cafeteria 222 Davenport Street, Somerville, NJ 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring your family and enjoy an educational morning presented entirely in Spanish! 🌟 Workshops include: 🏠 Celebrating Your Hispanic Roots 💰 Financial Planning & Literacy 📚 Helping Your Child with Reading & Writing ⚖️ Immigration Rights 🎓 Exploring Local Colleges & Universities 🎶 FREE Event with: 🍴 Delicious Latin Food 🎁 Exciting Prizes 🎵 Live Music 👶 Babysitting Services 🖊️ Register at the door or scan the QR code to sign up in advance! 💬 Questions? Contact Mrs. Wahba: 📧 awahba@somervilleschools.org Spread the word and join us for this amazing event! 🇪🇸🌍 #allin4theville #SomervilleSchoolsnj

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡 Each week, we'll feature one of our staff members at The Ville who contributes to students' academic success and helps shape their path here at Somerville! This week is Van Derveer School's Ms. Stacy Sciorra! Stacy Sciorra has been teaching at VDV for 13 years. She has taught the K-2 MD special education self-contained class and special education preschool. Currently, she teaches preschool and loves everything about it. Ms. Sciorra started the autism committee in 2016 to help teach the students of VDV about autism. Over the years, she has helped on many committees, such as Angel Tree, Strawberry Festival, Backpack program, and United Way. Ms. Sciorra recently received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught young children for over 20 years and is extremely passionate about it. Ms. Sciorra has a positive, upbeat, and energetic personality; you will often see her singing and dancing with her students. Ms. Sciorra’s students adore her and are excited to come to school every day. She shares her knowledge and skills by mentoring new teachers and is always willing to help others. Ms. Sciorra is a big believer in positive reinforcement and praising her students. You will see her modeling skills for her students and engaging with her students throughout the day. She creates fun and engaging hands-on activities for her students. The classroom environment she establishes makes her students feel safe, valued, and respected. She believes this is the first step when educating young children. Connecting with her students and their families is important to help them learn and grow in her classroom. Ms. Sciorra wants her students to understand that learning can be fun! She can make any learning activity fun! Ms. Sciorra feels blessed to get to do what she loves every day! One of her favorite quotes is, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. “-Benjamin Franklin Thank you for all that you do for The Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervilleschoolsnj #stafffeature

❄️🎉 From all of us at The Ville… Have a wonderful Winter Break! 🎉❄️ Take time to relax, enjoy the holidays, and return refreshed and ready for an amazing new year. We will see you back in the classroom on January 2nd! 🎒✨ #allin4theville #HappyHolidays #somervillenjschools

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡Each week, we'll feature one of our staff members at The Ville who contributes to students' academic success and helps shape their path here at Somerville! This week is Van Derveer School's Ms. Allison Fresella! Allison Fresella has been a Speech Language Pathologist at Van Derveer for 4 years. She works with preschool to 5th-grade students to improve their speech, language, and social communication skills. She is also on the Autism Awareness and Strawberry Festival committees. Mrs. Fresella enjoys collaborating with all staff, including other therapists (OT & PT), on how to best support students in the school environment. She is passionate about acknowledging and valuing all forms of communication as communication comes in many different forms (writing, text, gestures, facial expressions, pictures/choice boards, sign language, speech, vocalizations, robust AAC systems)! Mrs. Fresella believes that play IS learning because it makes learning meaningful and fun while making learning to communicate a positive experience for her students. Thank you for all that you do for The Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervillenjstafffeature

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡Each week, we'll feature our staff members at The Ville who contribute to student's academic success and help shape their path here at Somerville! This week, it's Mr. Patrick Manna from Somerville Middle School! Coach Pat Manna has been Teaching at Somerville Middle School for 7 years and Coaching at Somerville High School for 8 years now. In the class room at SMS you can find Coach Manna in either the Resource Rooms or Monitoring the Restricted Study Room. At SHS Coach Manna is an Assistant Coach for the Football team along with the Boys Head Track and Field Coach, where he has helped win multiple State Sectional Championships in both sports. Coach Manna was not only born and raised, But currently still lives in Somerville (Class of 2012). This week Coach Manna was awarded the 2024 - 2025 Educational Services Professional Of The Year. Mr. Manna was recently named Somerville Middle School's 2024 Educational Services Professional of the Year recipient! His words of wisdom are "Somerville is Home, and there is no better place on Earth" If you ever are looking for Coach Manna you can find him somewhere in the 2.5 square miles of the Ville hanging out with his 13,000 closest friends. Thank you for all that you do for the Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervillenjschools #somervillestafffeature

❄️🎶 It’s Winter Concert Season here in The Ville! 🎶❄️ We’re excited to share some festive performances that’ll warm your hearts this season, beginning TONIGHT: 🎵 SHS Winter Choral Concert Thursday, December 12, 7:00 PM @ Somerville High School Auditorium Featuring Concert Choir, Chorale, A Cappella, Chamber, & Men’s Choir 🎼🎤 🎵 Van Derveer Elementary School Grade 4/5 Winter Concert Tuesday, December 17, 7:00 PM @ Somerville High School 🎵 Somerville Middle School Winter Concert Wednesday, December 18, 7:00 PM @ SMS Auditorium 🎵 SHS Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble Winter Concert Thursday, December 19, 7:00 PM @ Somerville High School Auditorium 🎺🎶 Join us for evenings filled with music, joy, and holiday spirit! 🌟🎹✨ . . #allin4theville #somervillenjschools

🔔 Reminder! From Today: Monday, December 9th through Friday, December 13th, all VDV students will have half days due to Parent/Teacher Conferences 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫. Evening Conferences: Thursday, December 12th, 5–7 PM 🌙🗓 Dismissal Times: Preschool: 12:15 PM 🕛 K–5: 12:55 PM 🕧 Note: Lunch will be served for Preschool & Kindergarten students only 🍎🥪 Thank you for your cooperation! 🙌. . #allin4theville #somervilleschoolsnj

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡Each week, we'll feature our staff members at The Ville who contribute to student's academic success and help shape their path here at Somerville! This week, it's Ms. Sarah Ligouri from Somerville High School! Sarah Liguori has been working within the Somerville School District for 11 years. For the last 5 years, she has been a Learning Disabilities Teaching Consultant/ Case Manager on the Child Study Team for SHS. She is also a member of the SMS Child Study Team and can often be found traveling between the two schools. Before working at the high school, Sarah taught fourth grade at VanDerveer Elementary School for 6 years. Although she loved being in the classroom, Ms. Liguori finds case management rewarding, too. This role has allowed her to liaise with multiple stakeholders to advocate for her students’ needs and help prepare them for post-secondary life. At SHS, Sarah is an active member of the Character Education Committee and the Building Data Committee. She also volunteers with the Peer2Peer Club and the Unified Bowling Team. Sarah has mentored new Child Study Team members in the district and enjoys helping her colleagues understand their new role in the district community. She won the district's "All-in for the Ville Award" in 2018 for her cross-curricular science project work with Mr. Skomba’s SHS Big History class. Sarah feels the most important and rewarding part of her job is building positive relationships with her students and seeing them grow as learners. She loves to teach students how to be good advocates for themselves and believes inclusion matters for everyone. Ms. Ligouri was recently named Somerville High School's 2024 Educational Services Professional of the Year recipient! Thank you for all that you do for the Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervillenjstafffeature #somervillenjschools

🌟 2024 Somerville District Educators of the Year & Educational Services Professionals recipients! 🌟 Today, Somerville Public School's announced our Educators of the Year & Educational Services Professionals of the Year! The Governor’s Educator of the Year Program honors the best of the best in education—recognizing innovation, student achievement, and dedication that extends far beyond the classroom.🏫🍎 This year, we are thrilled to announce our 2024 Somerville District Educators of the Year & Educational Services Professionals recipients! 🥳👏 📚 Van Derveer School: 🎉 Joelle Kessler 🎉 Jess Meyers 📚 Somerville High School: 🎉 Sarah Liguori 🎉 Gary Knoeppel 📚 Somerville Middle School: 🎉 Christina Eddleman 🎉 Patrick Manna Thank you for inspiring students in the Ville, fostering respect and collaboration amongst your peers, and leading with innovation and dedication to the entire Somerville community! 💛✨ . . #allin4theville #EducatorOfTheYearNJ #EducationalServicesProfessionalOfTheYearNJ #ThankYouEducators

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡Each week, we'll feature one of our staff members at The Ville who contributes to students' academic success and helps shape their path here at Somerville! This week is Van Derveer School's Ms. Andrea Dominko! Ms. Dominko has been teaching at Van Derveer School for 18 years. She has been teaching first grade for all 18 years! Ms. Dominko received her certification for Teaching English as a second language. Within the first-grade classroom, she loves working with students learning English and seeing them progress as they learn a new language. Ms. Dominko is on Van Derveer’s Emergency Response Team and helps with other committees. She enjoys working with students of various ages in the Summer Enrichment Program. In Ms. Dominko’s classroom, she exemplifies the saying, “Be silly. Be honest. Be kind." Thank you for all that you do for The Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervillenjschools #somervillestafffeature

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡 Each week, we'll feature our staff members at The Ville who contribute to student's academic success and help shape their path here at Somerville! This week, it's Ms. Juliet Traum from Somerville Middle School! Juliet Traum has been an Occupational Therapist at Somerville for 4 years. She returned to school for her "Act 2" career, and her final fieldwork training was with Patti Clark at VDV. Lucky for Ms. Traum, a spot opened up in the middle and high school. Ms. Traum loves being an occupational therapist because she helps students with their gross motor, fine motor, attention, and social skills. OT is collaborative, and the teachers in all schools work as a team to support our students. Ms. Traum worked in Somerville's extended school year program this past summer. She worked with the preschool and elementary students. She has added a day at VDV to support some of our students there because she also enjoyed working with the younger kids. In OT, it often looks like the students are "just playing," but play is crucial. Play is not only the work of a child and student; it is the way they learn and the pathway to growth! . . #allin4theville #somervillenjschools #somervillestafffeature

💡Staff Feature of the Week! 💡Each week, we'll feature our staff members at The Ville who contribute to student's academic success and help shape their path here at Somerville! This week, it's Ms. Pamela Vail from Somerville High School! Pamela Vail started in the district at VDV during the 2021/2022 school year. She started in the preschool ABA class and loved it. She was a one-to-one instructional assistant in the K-2 MD class for the following two years. She enjoyed her time learning new skills and building on previous experience. This is her first year at Somerville High School, working in the 18 to 21-year-old transition program and SIPS Cafe! She enjoys working with the students to help run Sips Cafe and improve their job skills! Thank you for all that you do for the Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervillestafffeature

📚 ✨ Happy National School Psychologists Week! 🎉 This week, we celebrate and recognize the amazing work of our school psychologists here at The Ville! This team of incredible individuals goes above and beyond to support our learners' well-being and academic success every day. From offering a listening ear to guiding students through tough choices, their impact can't be understated! Thank you for all you do for the Ville - Your hard work makes a difference! 💙 🧠 . . #NationalSchoolPsychologistsWeek #ThankYou #allin4theville

‼️ Reminder! ‼️ Somerville Public Schools will be closed Thursday, November 7th and Friday, November 8th for the NJEA Conference. Classes resume Monday, November 11th! . . #allin4theville #somervilleschoolsnj