Dear Somerville High School Families:
I hope you are doing well and are having a relaxing and enjoyable summer. As we get ready to kick off the 2026-2027 school year I want to take this opportunity to welcome back all of our returning students and families! To our new students, freshmen, and their families, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Somerville High School!
Students, a new school year is an opportunity for a fresh start. It’s a time to embrace new challenges and set meaningful goals both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to your academics, it’s an opportunity to find your passion. Whether it be athletics, the arts, clubs, or service, this is your opportunity to get involved, make connections, and make the most of every experience.
Parents and guardians, we look forward to partnering with you in supporting your child as they learn, grow, and pursue their goals throughout the coming school year. Together, we can help make this a successful and rewarding year for every student.
The first day of school is Wednesday, September 2, and we will operate on the A Day rotation of our A/B Block Schedule. Students should report directly to their A1 Block no later than 7:35 a.m. On Thursday, September 3, we will operate on the B Day rotation, and students should report directly to their B1 Block no later than 7:35 a.m. School will be closed on Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7.
In addition, please mark your calendars for Back-to-School Night which is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This will be a one-session day for students. Additional information regarding Back-to-School Night will be shared in the coming weeks.
Student schedules will be accessible in the Realtime Portal on Monday, August 17. If you have any questions regarding your child’s schedule, please contact the Counseling Office at (908) 243-1549. For all other questions, please feel free to reach out to the Main Office at (908) 218-4108.
The A/B Calendar and Bell Schedules can be found in the links below.
Click HERE to view the A/B Calendar.
Click HERE to view the daily, half day, and delayed opening Bell Schedules.
Additionally, please take a few moments to review the information below regarding our new Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Procedures, as well as the attached document outlining other important protocols, procedures, and expectations for the upcoming school year. These expectations will be reviewed with students on the first day of school and reinforced during grade-level meetings. We hope you find this information helpful!
High School Cell Phone & Use of Other Internet Enabled Devices
To support student well-being, focus, and engagement in school, Somerville High School has established clear expectations for personal electronic devices during the school day. The information noted below are general guidelines for during the school day. Further information including specific exemption and progressive discipline procedures can be found in the Somerville High School Student Handbook.
Consistent with New Jersey’s bell-to-bell law, P.L. 2025, c. 195 and N.J.S.A. 18A:36-40b, students will not use personal electronic devices during the SHS school day, from 7:35 a.m. through 2:20 p.m., except as an approved exemption.
A personal electronic device is any privately owned device capable of communicating, recording, playing audio, accessing online content, or connecting wirelessly. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Cell phones and smartphones
Smart watches and other wearable technology
Earbuds and headphones
Tablets
Smart glasses
Cameras and recording devices
Basic or flip-style phones
Two-way radios and walkie-talkies
Similar technologies developed in the future
This restriction applies whether or not the device can connect to the internet. District-issued devices used for authorized educational purposes are not considered personal electronic devices under this regulation.
Student Storage
Each student who brings a personal internet-enabled device to school is expected to turn off the device and store it in their locker, backpack or other bag throughout the entire school day. Devices that are confiscated during the school day by the administration will be labeled and stored in a secure location in the main office.
Parent/Guardian Communication During the School Day and Emergency Use
In the event of a family emergency or for non-emergency communication, families should contact the appropriate office (main office, school counseling office, athletic office, student affairs office or school nurse) directly rather than reaching out to their child during the school day. Office staff will then follow local notification procedures to ensure the student receives the information in a timely and appropriate manner. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
On behalf of our entire staff and administration, we are wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and successful 2026-2027 school year!
Sincerely,
Gerard T. Foley
Principal
Attachment: SHS Back-to-School Information 26-27 School Year