Somerville Public Schools

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

📢Attention Ville community! You’re invited! Come learn all about our upcoming bond referendum at two in-person events featuring a forum and building tour. See these projects firsthand🏫 Get all the details here: somervilleschools.org/page/vote. We can’t wait to see you there! . #allin4theville #somervillebondreferendum #somervilleschoolsnj

Did you know? Somerville students who turn 18 by March 11 can vote in the upcoming bond referendum. 🎓🗳️ Your voice ALWAYS matters, but the registration deadline is Feb. 18! If you’re a recent grad - but will not be around for the vote - you can still cast your ballot by registering to Vote By Mail. Find all the details and forms here: somervilleschools.org/page/vote. Let’s make sure every eligible voter has a say! . . #allin4theville #somervillebondreferendum #somervilleschoolsnj

Please be advised that all Somerville and Branchburg Public Schools will be closed today, Thursday, February 6th. All after-school activities and events are canceled. Thank you.

Please be advised that all Somerville and Branchburg Public Schools will have a delayed opening tomorrow, Thursday, February 6th. Please check your email or our website for school schedules.

To our Ville community: If both questions on the ballot are approved, Somerville will receive $7.3 million in state aid toward the $44 million in planned improvements. That’s tax money that Somerville, and every other NJ resident, paid to the state coming right back to benefit our schools. Only communities that pass bond referenda can access this support. 💡✨ Learn more about our funding strategy at somervilleschools.org/page/vote and see how we can invest in our schools together! . . #allin4theville #somervillenjschools #somervillebondreferendum

💡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