Entries tagged with schools

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schools

Somerville Public Schools looking for afterschool staff

A little bit ago I phoned my kid's afterschool program to see if I can enroll her, and learned that all of the schools have waitlists right now due to staff shortages.

There are currently a number of openings for afterschool teachers and other support staff:
https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs/?employer=16902

Thought I'd spread the word for anyone who is currently job hunting...

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schools

private schools with solid COVID precautions?

Does anyone have information on private schools in Somerville or nearby that are taking really solid COVID precautions?

Our public school (Winter Hill Community School) has the first graders eating indoors, and we don't feel at all comfortable with that.

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Giants in the Sky!

The Kennedy School Drama Club presents Giants in the Sky, a new musical for elementary students, on Friday, June 8th and Saturday, June 9th at 7pm in the cafetorium of Somerville’s John F. Kennedy School at 5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144. Suggested donation $10 per person, or $20 per family.

The 2017 Winner of the Children’s Musical Theatre Festival, NYC explores the world of Giants who live above the clouds. Since leaving Earth long ago, they’ve devoted their lives to keep the sky beautiful. They polish the stars, poke the clouds to let it rain, and paint the sunsets. When one curious Giant wonders what it’s like down below, she must steal the key to the “beanstalk” and embark on an adventure to Earth.

The cast of Giants in the Sky includes more than sixty Kennedy School students from kindergarten through Grade 8. The community is invited to join parents and friends of the cast and crew for a fun and joyful night of theatre at the Kennedy School.

GIANTS IN THE SKY PERFORMANCES:

Friday, June 8th and Saturday, June 9th at 7pm

John F. Kennedy School, 5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144

Suggested Donation: $10/person or $20/family

For more information, visit sites.google.com/site/kennedyschooldramaclub/.

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schools

building a climate-friendly new high school

(Crossposted from my own journal by request of

ron_newman)
I got this email yesterday from a group called Mothers Out Front, a climate justice advocacy group. Local folks who care should definitely read this and take action, and feel free to spread the word:

ENSURING A CLIMATE-FRIENDLY, “NET ZERO” DESIGN FOR THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL

We're asking you to make a few quick phone calls to ensure Somerville meets its climate goals for our children’s future. Also, feel free to send this letter to all your friends, and mark your calendar to come to a meeting this Monday, Dec 12 at 5:30 at the Somerville high school. ( read on... )

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Special election for Ward 6 School Committee, Tuesday, December 6

We're having a special election for Ward 6 School Committee next Tuesday, because Paul Bockelman resigned in order to become Town Manager in Amherst. You have to really drill down on the city's website to even know this is happening. I've seen one or two official paper signs around town announcing it.

There's only one candidate on the ballot, Paula O'Sullivan. I know nothing about her, as I've never encountered her or her campaign in any way. Any further information would be appreciated.

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Election Day Bake Sales!

PSA: If your polling place is at a school, there will most likely be a PTA bake sale table. Bring a few dollars for some treats! If you vote at the Brown School, you can also buy a Brown School Community Card. For $10, you can get discounts at many local restaurants and shops (more info here: www.brownschoolcard.org) If the Brown School isn't your polling place, you can still buy one at Mr Crepe, When Pigs Fly Bread and Davis Squared.

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Somerville-specific referendum questions?

I haven't seen anything about it except for a couple of yard signs, but I gather there's a question on the ballot about construction of a new High School. I didn't see a link to it on the city elections department page, and I haven't seen it discussed here. Anyone have info or opinions?

we don't have a tag for 'elections' or 'politics'? I'm surprised.

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Powderhouse Studios Celebration on Monday in Seven Hills Park

Heya Davis Square Livejournal!

Wanted to extend an invitation to an event happening next week in your neighborhood:

Come celebrate on Monday October 3 from 6-8PM in Seven Hills Park with sprout, Powderhouse Studios, and XQ!

As you may have heard, we just received a big award from the XQ Institute to help make Powderhouse Studios — formerly the Somerville STEAM Academy — happen! We've got a lot of work ahead, but we're going to take some time to celebrate with:

+ XQ's mobile bus exhibition about the future of learning
+ participatory music from School of HONK
+ creative projects with Parts and Crafts
+ and delicious food and drink from Redbones.

All are welcome at this free, public event! More details here.

Let me know if you have any questions,
and hope you can join us for the fun!
-shaunalynn

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Prop 2½ override coming to Somerville this November?

I received a telephone survey this afternoon regarding a potential ballot question this fall that would raise property taxes to pay for the new Somerville High School. This is the first I'd heard that a so-called "Prop 2½ override" was being considered, which, I believe, would be the first such vote in Somerville's history. Does anyone have more information about this?

Background on the new school here: http://www.somervillema.gov/highschool/

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Brown School Community Cards!

Don't forget to stop by the Brown School PTA booth at ArtBeat tomorrow for your 2016/2016 Brown School Community Card. Still only $10! For those of you that don't know about it, the Brown School Community Card gives you discounts at local businesses. You can use the card multiple times at each business for an entire year. Thanks to our new sponsor SunBug Solar, the entire $10 purchase price goes to the Brown School PTA. The Brown School (located at the corner of Willow & Kidder Ave) is Somerville's oldest public elementary school. New this year: Comicazi (save 10%), Magpie Kids (save 10%) and Somerville Bread Company (save 15%) If you can't make it to ArtBeat, the cards will be for sale at Mr. Crepe, Davis Squared and When Pigs Fly Bread later this month. Complete list of discounts ( here )

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Infant Daycare near PowderHouse/Davis/Ball/Teele

Like most new parents in MA, I've got serious sticker shock over the cost of daycare, especially at larger facilities (as opposed to home daycare). I'd really like to send my future baby to daycare in the neighborhood, just to avoid having to take an infant onto the T.

Bright Horizons and Kindercare are seriously expensive. Looking at the State directory of daycares, I see that some of the in-home ones are easily half the cost.

My question is: Have any of you used in-home daycare in or around Davis Sq? If so, where did you send your child, and would you recommend the place to others?

I would appreciate any additional thoughts or tips that you might have. Thanks, everyone!

Entry tags:

schools,
volunteer

Somerville High seeks volunteer career panelists (Oct 14)

Volunteer Career Panelists: Come Serve on October 14 at SHS!

Somerville High School invites you to volunteer for an hour to share insights about your career with 12th graders. In an informal setting, discuss your career choices, how you got started in your field, what you like most about your work, some of the challenges, and be ready to respond to students’ probing questions!

Career focus: Technology, Health Care, Education, Engineering, Research, Media.

Wednesday, October 14
8:00am-9:00am
Somerville High School, Atrium
81 Highland Ave, Somerville

If interested, please contact:
Jen Capuano, SPS Volunteer Coordinator
JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us
617.629.5475
www.somerville.k12.ma.us/volunteer

This forum is sponsored by SHS College and Career Readiness.

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Brown School Community Card

It's September, that means your old Brown School Community Card is expired! Pick up a new one at Davis Squared, Mr Crepe or When Pigs Fly Bread. Cards are still $10 and get you a year of discounts in Davis Square and beyond. New this year, Orange Leaf and Stellabella Toys. Thanks to sponsorship from Thalia Tringo Real Estate that covers the printing of the cards, 100% of you $10 purchase goes to the PTA of the oldest public elementary school in Somerville. Questions? email brownschoolcommunitycard@gmail.com

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City chooses developer for Powder House School site

Looks like a bid has been chosen for the Powder House School site. Details in the city's press release:
http://www.somervillema.gov/news/powder-house-school-site-redevelopment-recommendation-accepted-mayor

I've read the proposal, and while there are some good design ideas that will open up, expand, and enhance the public outdoor spaces in the site, the building use will be focused on housing and commercial space, with only token concessions to SomerVision's priorities of arts and community oriented space. It's a far cry from the most exciting of the proposals, like the possible new home for Artisan's Asylum (I really hope they have other options they're considering and that this wasn't their only shot at staying in Somerville!). But here's my big question: why is the city accepting a bid of only $2.7 million for a property that is valued at $7 million (and post-development will be potentially valued at more than $20 mil)?

Additionally, of the 40 housing units 7 will be designated affordable (a better proportion than at Assembly), and 12 units will be designed for aging-in-place, though I note that the degree of overlap of the affordable and senior housing is not stated. Has anyone heard what the plan is in this regard?

That said, I'm glad the city is moving forward, as the most important thing is to get our vacant spaces into development before they become a public safety hazard, like certain Social Security buildings we all know.

(some more of my own thoughts on Facebook)

Entry tags:

schools

Brown School area traffic

I added this to the prior Brown School post, but thought it deserved a separate post:

For those that commute through the Kidder/Willow intersection, here's the new traffic info:
One bus will leave the Brown @ 7:00. Multiple buses will leave the Brown @ 7:30. Afternoon buses will arrive around 3:00, and 5:45/6:00ish. (This means there should be no Brown School kid related traffic between the usual 8:00-8:15 rush). I am sure there will be construction truck traffic throughout the day. The way the fence is currently configured, construction vehicles will have to enter the work area from Josephine Ave.

They estimated that it will take a month to re-open the school.

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Brown School roof collapse

The Brown School's roof collapsed last night. See link for story and photos. Fortunately the building was unoccupied at that hour. (hat tip to

prunesnprisms for bringing this to my attention)

Edited to add: More detailed report at Wicked Local Somerville and Boston Globe report

Wasn't there a whole week of school closure in February, specifically to allow clearing snow from roofs? And the city was using drones to survey these roofs? I don't understand how this happened.

Current Mood: cold
Current Location: Igloo in Magoun Square
Current Music: Katy Perry

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Snow Emergency Remains in Effect until Tuesday (2/3) at 6pm. School Cancelled for Tuesday (2/3)

The City of Somerville’s snow emergency will remain in effect until Tues., Feb. 3, at 6 p.m., Mayor Curtatone announced today. At the end of a snow emergency, residents have two hours to move vehicles from municipal and school parking lots. Cars must be moved by 8 p.m. Tuesday to avoid being ticketed and towed.

Please also note the following scheduling information for Tuesday:
• Somerville Public Schools are CLOSED.
• No City or school evening activities.
• Trash and recycling pick up will remain on a normal schedule.
• City Hall will be open with limited staffing, and the Somerville Public Library (Central Branch) will be open.
• The Kennedy School swimming pool will be open for family swim and for swim lessons from noon to 4 p.m., however please note that parking will be extremely limited.

Residents will have until 10 p.m. on Tuesday night to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, and are reminded that snow may NOT be shoveled into the street.

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Community Preservation Act Funding - Public Comment Period

I received this email today. This is the fund collected from the property tax surcharge. Those monies will be dispersed and if you have thoughts, now is the time to be heard.

Good evening,

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) received 15 applications for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds totaling $8.8 million in December and wants to hear from you about which should receive funding. Please send your comments to Emily Monea at emonea@somervillema.gov or Emily Monea c/or SomerStat, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143.

You can review the project proposals HERE as well as the applicants’ presentations from the community meetings. Comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31st.

Please forward this email to anyone who may be interested in joining the CPA conversation.

Best,

Emily

Emily Monea
Community Preservation Act Manager
Mayor’s SomerStat Office
City of Somerville
617.625.6600 x2118
somervillema.gov/cpa

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

Entry tags:

meet-up,
schools

Trying to start a Boston/Camberville Open-Source Ed Tech meetup...

(x-posting to davis_square and b0st0n)

Hey! Are you in the Boston / Camberville area with an interest in the intersection of open source and education technology? This is something I'm very passionate about, and I'm trying to organize a meetup of like-minded people to talk about and contribute to OSS projects that are helping to make education more flexible and accessible. If you're interested, just RSVP here. Once we've got enough people, we'll try to find a date, time, and topic that works for everyone!

http://www.meetup.com/Boston-Open-Source-Ed-Tech-Meetup/events/219168447/

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Brown School cards in at D2!

I remembered seeing a post about this a week or so ago. Davis Squared (409 Highland Ave) has gotten in the new Brown School cards which run from Sept. 1, 2014 to Aug. 31 2015. The cost is $10 and all proceeds go to our neighborhood Brown School.