Somerville Public Schools

💡 Staff Feature of the Week! 💡 Each week, we'll feature our staff members at The Ville who contribute to students' academic success and help shape their path here at Somerville! This week, it's Mr. Tyler Kazar from Somerville High School! Tyler Kazar is the district's AV/IT Support Specialist and an Advisor for FRC Team 102, otherwise known as The Gearheads! An alumnus of Somerville High School Class of 2015, Tyler is a pillar in the Ville community, involved in many aspects of what makes the Ville so special. From being a vital component to running our musical productions - such as the recent "All Shook Up " - to the livestream of the SHS Commencement Ceremony every June. His contributions to the district are too many to name, but Tyler's fingerprints can be found almost everywhere. Most importantly, Tyler's integrity and character stand out as a shining example of the standard that the Ville community relies on to reach its goals and shoot for the stars. You would be hard-pressed to find someone in the community who doesn't know Tyler, and you would be equally pressed to find someone with a negative thing to say about him. Many of the students and staff within the district look to Tyler's mentorship, and he provides so many with the tools needed to succeed - and always with a smile on his face. Without figureheads like Tyler, the Ville wouldn't be what it is today. Thank you for all that you do for the Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervillenjschools #somervillestafffeature

🎭✨ SHOWCASE OF THE ARTS 2025 ✨🎭 A magical night to remember! On March 18th, the SHS Auditorium was filled with music, movement, and magic during this year's Showcase of the Arts! 🎶💃🎺 It was an incredible turnout, and every single performance was phenomenal 🙌 — from the Orchestra Club to the Winter Guard, Jazz Bands, Indoor Percussion, and our amazing VDV, SMS, BCMS & SHS Choirs 🎻🥁🎷🎤 It was a true celebration of the immense talent of our Somerville students 💫 We couldn’t be more proud of the passion and dedication they brought to the stage. 💛 THANK YOU to all who came out to support the arts! Until next year… 🎉 . . #allin4theville #SomervilleShowcaseoftheArts2025

📢 SHS PTO Needs Your Help! 📢 The Somerville High School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is seeking nominations for executive board positions for the 2025-2026 school year! Positions include President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and candidates must have at least one child enrolled at SHS next year. ✅ Nominate by April 16, 2025 ✉️ Submit nominations to SHSPTOCHAIR@gmail.com (include nominee's name, contact info, and desired position). 🗳️ Voting takes place on May 7, 2025, at 7 PM in the SHS Media Center. 📲→ Help spread the word! Share this post and encourage parents to get involved. For more details, visit: shspto.mycheddarup.com

📢 SHS PTO Needs Your Help! 📢 The Somerville High School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is seeking nominations for executive board positions for the 2025-2026 school year! Positions include President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and candidates must have at least one child enrolled at SHS next year. ✅ Nominate by April 16, 2025 📩 Submit nominations to SHSPTOCHAIR@gmail.com (include nominee’s name, contact info, and desired position). 🗳 Voting takes place on May 7, 2025, at 7 PM in the SHS Media Center. 📲 Help spread the word! Share this post and encourage parents to get involved. For more details, visit: shspto.mycheddarup.com #SHSPTO #SomervilleHighSchool #ParentInvolvement #CommunityMatters

💡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 Maria Henriquez! Maria Henriquez has been working at VDV as a lunch aide since October 2018. As a lunch aide, she is responsible for ensuring all kids eat lunch safely and in a controlled manner. Talk to the kids and explain the rules they must follow while in the cafeteria, and attend to their needs so their lunch and playtime is an enjoyable part of the school day. At playtime, Maria ensures the kids engage in games respectfully and joyously. Maria is also a team player; she works with other lunch aides to implement games to keep the kids active and happy. Thank you for all that you do for the Ville! . . #allin4theville #somervilleschoolsstafffeature

📢Attention Ville: Preliminary results show that voters APPROVED both questions in the bond referendum! Once the results are certified, we look forward to getting started on the projects, including upgrades to science labs, security, the High School auditorium and athletic facilities. See somervilleschools.org/page/vote for details. 🏫🔬🎭👟 🦺

🏫VDV Preschool Lottery is live! Please click the links in our bio to view!

⏰ A few more hours to make your voice heard!⏰ Polls close at 8 PM so be sure to cast your ballot in-person soon. If you are voting by MAIL, ballots must be postmarked or deposited in a drop box TODAY in order for it to be counted. Details somervilleschools.org/page/vote.

The district has a history of fiscal responsibility and completing capital projects through the annual budget, with partial funding from state and federal grants. The referendum is one piece of the district's larger plan for regularly improving and updating the schools. Hear more about the funding strategy in this recording of the Virtual Forum: somervilleschools.org/page/vote.

If you arrive at the polls and are told you can’t cast a ballot for any reason, ask for a provisional ballot. Occasionally, voters don’t realize they received a ballot in the mail. After polls close, provisional ballots will be reviewed when paperwork can be closely examined. That ensures the integrity of the election while also preserving legitimate votes. More about voting at somervilleschools.org/page/vote.

📣✨ We want to reflect on how students at the Ville showed their love and appreciation for the words, actions, and achievements of great humans for February's Black History Month 🏫🖤 Somerville students celebrated the trailblazers who inspire them—today and every day. They honored their powerful stories and uplifting voices and embraced the unity that brings Somerville together! ✊ . . #Allin4theville #BlackHistoryMonthReflection

Did you know? Enrollment projections for the next 5 years are within the historical range. The district’s demographer will answer questions at the Virtual Forum tonight at 7 PM. The district’s architect will also share long-range facility plans that consider enrollment trends. Details for how to join: somervilleschools.org/page/vote🏫🔬🎭👟 🦺

📢Ville community: Bring your questions to the VIRTUAL forum TOMORROW or submit them in advance using this Google Form: forms.gle/sSuPR7sugBvMeeQLA. Details for how to join via Zoom are at somervilleschools.org/page/vote.🏫🔬🎭👟 🦺

Mail-in ballots are on their way, so be sure to check your mailbox! Apply to Vote By Mail by March 4 to receive a ballot MAILED to you. More, including voter applications: somervilleschools.org/page/vote. 🏫🔬🎭👟 🦺

Forum reminder 📢Ville community: Join us TONIGHT for the in-person forum at Somerville High School. After a presentation about the March 11 bond referendum, residents can ask questions directly of those involved in the planning process. Plus, you can tour areas targeted for improvement like the auditorium and science labs. 🏫🔬🎭 Get all the details here: somervilleschools.org/page/vote. We hope to see you there!

Projects chosen for the March 11 bond referendum would benefit EVERY student in the Ville! 🏫🔬🎭👟 🦺 Watch this video for a breakdown of what’s on the ballot: https://youtu.be/Szkx056keIY. Dive deeper into the projects at somervilleschools.org/page/vote.

Outdated carpeted walls and broken seating shouldn’t be the first impression of Somerville High School. 🏫✨ The referendum would transform the 1970s auditorium into a modern performance space for students and the community! See what’s proposed: somervilleschools.org/page/vote . . #allin4theville #somervillebondreferendum #somervilleschoolsnj

🗓️ Reminder! 🗓️ 🏫 School will be closed for President's Day weekend, February 14-17th! On Tuesday, February 18th, the school will be closed to students and open for staff development only. 🌟 School will reopen for students on Wednesday, February 19th.

Please be advised that all Somerville and Branchburg Public Schools will have a delayed opening tomorrow, Wednesday, February 12th. Please follow your school's schedule. https://www.somervilleschools.org/

Today marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science, so we are thrilled to celebrate the Ville's own Mrs. Kaitlyn Kohlepp Strang!🥳🔬 She teaches 6th Grade Animation & Game Design, 7th Grade 3D Modeling & Design, 8th Grade Computer Science for Makers, and 6th Grade Science at Somerville Middle School, and she has been selected for the 2025 NSTA DSEC STEM Educator Cohort—part of the Defense STEM Education Consortium—and we couldn’t be more proud of her efforts! 🌟🎉 Mrs. Kohlepp Strang also co-coaches our SMS LEGO Robotics team, the Futuristic Bulldogs, with Mrs. Eddleman. 🤖🏆 Her passion for sparking creativity, especially among girls in STEM, is absolutely inspiring. Join us in thanking and congratulating her on as she continues paving the way for future innovators! 🚀💡 . . #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #allin4theville