Somerville Public Schools

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Outdated carpeted walls and broken seating shouldn’t be the first impression of Somerville High School.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.

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

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

📢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

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

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.

💡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