October Somerville Public School News

Somerville Public Schools

October 2026 News

From the Superintendent JR Lubisco

October in the Ville: Building on a Strong Start

October has been another great month across Somerville Public Schools. Our schools have settled into a strong rhythm, students are engaged in learning, and there continues to be a lot of positive work happening throughout the district.

This month has also given us an opportunity to step back, learn together, and continue planning for what comes next. Here’s what you need to know this month:

📚 Learning Together as a District

The focus: On Monday, October 12, our entire staff came together for a district-wide professional development day focused on collaboration, instructional practice, and supporting student success.

Why it matters: The work directly supports this year’s district goals, including continued growth in student achievement and strengthening Tier 1 instruction across our schools.

What’s next: We will continue building on this work throughout the year as staff collaborate, review student progress, and refine classroom practices to support every learner.

🧭 Strategic Planning Moves Forward

The latest: Earlier this month, our Strategic Plan Steering Committee held its first of six meetings with K12 Coalition. The committee brings together students, staff, parents, Board members, administrators, and community members to help shape the next five-year strategic plan.

Why it matters: The process is designed to ensure that our next strategic plan reflects the voices, priorities, and aspirations of our entire school community.

What’s next: Staff had an opportunity to participate in a focus group, and a community-wide survey will launch later this month. The Steering Committee will continue its work around our core values, vision, mission, priorities, goals, and how we will measure progress. The overarching goal remains presenting the finalized strategic plan in March 2027.

Learn more: During the October 13th meeting, K12 Coalition led a collaborative planning workshop with the board.

🏗️ Referendum Projects Moving Forward

Where things stand: Work continues to move forward across our referendum projects, with visible progress taking place throughout the district.

A milestone: Our new Van Derveer playground is officially open and already being enjoyed by our students.

Next up: Additional projects will continue moving forward throughout the fall as we work through the next phases of construction across the district.

🔗 Stay Connected

Warm regards,

Gary Lubisco, Jr.

Superintendent

Growing Together: Professional Learning Day – Preschool Learning Doesn’t Just Stop with Students!

Our teachers and instructional assistants spent October 12th growing together as a team! Through planting succulents and developing personal growth goals, we took time to reflect on our own growth and continued learning. Teachers focused on strengthening instructional practices with the new edition of The Creative Curriculum, while instructional assistants explored ways to support student behaviors through consistent, positive, and effective communication. A key takeaway was remembering that all behavior is a form of communication and that understanding what children are communicating helps us respond with intention, compassion, and support. We look forward to continuing to grow together as we strengthen our practices and create meaningful learning experiences for all of our preschool students!

Professional Learning Day - K-5

The Van Derveer K-5 staff participated in a productive and engaging day of professional learning during our district-wide professional development day on October 12th. Sessions covered key topics, including Tier 1 data-based decision-making in ELA and Math, effective fluency instruction, targeted interventions, the newly revised NJSLS Science standards, and the ELA pilot programs. We extend a sincere thank you to our outstanding teacher leaders who shared their expertise and led insightful sessions for their colleagues.

Professional Learning Day - K-12 Art

K-12 Art professional learning at Grounds For Sculpture

On Monday, October 12, our district professional development day, the K-12 Art teachers participated in an engaging and meaningful professional learning experience at Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) in Hamilton, NJ. GFS designed two hands-on art workshops tailored to our teachers' interests: 3-D Collage and mixed media art. The day also featured an inspiring outdoor tour of the sculpture park. Thank you to all of our teachers who participated!

Professional Learning Day - Social Studies 6-12

On Monday, October 12, Middle and High School Social Studies teachers visited the newly renovated Princeton University Art Museum for a day of professional learning and exploration. Teachers participated in a hands-on metal embossing workshop and enjoyed an exclusive Expressing Cultures tour designed specifically for Grades 6–12 educators. The experience provided teachers with new perspectives on how art can serve as a powerful instructional resource, helping students connect historical events, cultural traditions, and diverse perspectives. By exploring ways to integrate visual arts and hands-on learning into Social Studies instruction, teachers gained ideas to deepen student engagement, encourage critical thinking, and bring history and culture to life in the classroom.

Social Studies teachers at the Princeton University Art Museum

Engineering Facility at SHS

The Engineering facility at SHS has introduced a new curriculum offering alongside a newly renovated learning space. This academic year, Computer Integrated Manufacturing was added to the course sequence, and the senior-level course was renamed Engineering Capstone. In addition to these instructional updates, the classroom underwent physical improvements, including fresh paint, refinished flooring, and new tables and chairs equipped with pull-down electrical access to enhance flexibility. These modifications allow students to reconfigure the furniture to accommodate larger build areas while enabling instructors to cultivate a more collaborative learning environment.

Expanded Academic Support at Somerville High School

This year, Somerville High School is expanding academic support to give students additional time, instruction, and practice in Math and English when needed.

Math Studio & ELA Studio are year-long support courses that provide additional instructional time alongside the core course. Students receive targeted instruction, review challenging concepts, strengthen foundational skills, and practice new learning.

Math (Algebra 1, Geometry & Algebra 2) and English (ELA 1 & ELA 2) Lab Courses are semester-long, pass/fail supports for students who would benefit from additional help in their current course. Labs provide targeted, small-group instruction focused on specific skills and areas of need. Student progress is monitored throughout the semester, with students exiting the course when they demonstrate they are ready to continue without the additional support.

Students are recommended for these supports using multiple measures, including course performance and benchmark assessment data. Our goal is to provide the right support at the right time while helping students build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Family Tech Corner

YouTube for Kids

Did you know YouTube's autoplay feature can keep videos playing long after your child finishes watching?

YouTube can be a great place for learning and entertainment, but suggested videos aren't always age-appropriate. A few simple steps can help families create a safer viewing experience:

Turn off autoplay to prevent videos from playing automatically.

Explore YouTube Kids for younger children, with parent-managed content settings.

Use supervised accounts to help manage what older children can access.

Check watch history and talk with your child about what they're watching.

Did you know? Families can also use Securly Home to see what their child is viewing on their school-issued Chromebook and even block or limit access to YouTube outside of school hours.

Parental controls are helpful, but regular conversations about online content are just as important!

Helpful Resources:

YouTube's Parent Resources | YouTube Kids | Securly Home

Standardized Testing Schedule 26-27

This year's Standardized Testing Schedule can be viewed on the District website under the "Important Links" menu. Please be mindful of these dates when scheduling any doctor/dentist appointments or other personal commitments.