HSA Meeting
September 15th 2023, 9:00am
Attendees: 33 in person, 15 online
Updates from Dr. Oates
Teacher Representative Ms. Finnegan – Students in all grades participate in age appropriate Social and Emotional Learning. This year a new program, “Open Circle”, will be used daily to teach students about topics such as kindness and empathy, emotional management, relationship skills and responsible decision making. The program will launch in 3 weeks and Ms. Finnegan will update parents in the Enews with topics covered and prompts for discussion.
Superintendent Coffee – The new superintendent, Mr. Mark Schwarz, will be hosting informal video chats as a way for parents to provide feedback or ask questions. These meetings will take place every month at 7pm. Look out for the “Superintendent Coffee” emails with dates.
Parking – For the safety of the students please note that the parking lot behind the school is closed during school hours, including before school and during after school pickup.
Social Services Food Drive – This month we are collecting peanut butter and jelly that can be sent in with your students.
Professional Development – Teachers will be participating in professional development sessions over the next 2 weeks about the science of reading. Staff will be learning best practices and techniques for teaching reading skills.
Author Visit – Afrika Afeni Mills will be visiting students, staff and parents on October 2nd. Her book “Open Windows, Open Minds” is about developing anti-racist, pro-human students. She will speak about building cultural competence to create welcoming environments where everyone has a sense of belonging. The parents session will be at 7pm so please keep an eye on the Enews for details and to RSVP.
Back to School – The school year got off to a great start with 5th graders leading a scavenger hunt for the new kindergarteners, Back to School night and the teacher appreciation breakfast. There was also an exciting assembly from the singing group Ball in the House.
SEPAG – The LSHSA is being rebooted by the group SEPAG: Special Education Parent Advisory Group. This group is for families of any students receiving assistance. The next event is an activities fair and parent social on Wednesday, September 20th 9:30AM at Board of Education Building 49 Cottage Place, 3rd Floor. Our Somerville representative is Liz Kempey.
Past Events
- First Day of School – Tuesday, September 5th
- Back to School Night – Thursday, September 7th
- HSA Meeting – Friday, September 15th
Upcoming Events
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- Charleston Wrap Fundraiser Launch – September 18th though October 23rd
- Picture Day – September 19th with a rain date of September 20th – Please register in advance
- SCT Mandatory Parent Meeting – September 19th at 7pm
- DEI Kick Off – September 19th at 8pm – Dershna Patel’s house
- SEPAG Activities Fair and Parent Social – September 20th, 9:30am at Board of Education
- Frosty Friday – September 22nd
- Back to School Picnic – Friday, September 22nd – 5-7pm with a sensory friendly start at 4:30
- Yom Kippur– September 25th – No School
- Custodian Appreciation Day – October 2nd
- Seeing Eye Assembly – October 2nd – During Respect Week in NJ seeing eye dogs will visit students to explain how they help people.
- Author Visit – Afrika Afeni Mills – October 2nd – Parents session 7pm
- LinkIt Testing – October 4th-5th for grades 2-5. Tests are taken 3 times per year.
- 5th Grade Field Trip – October 6th – to Treescape Adventure Park
- Professional Development Day – October 9th – No School
- Feel the Power Assembly– October 10th – Students will learn about kindness and the feeling of doing the right thing. District wide assembly.
- Book Fair – October 11 & 12 – Behind the school
HSA Updates:
New Parent Dinner – The new parent dinner was a success and had 50 families attend. Thank you to Helen Allen, Nicole Ragains and Cara Robles for chairing this event.
Somerville 101 – This year we have launched a program to partner new families in grades 1-5 with existing Somerville families to help them adjust to joining a new school. New families will have a personal contact who they will get information from and who can help them with questions.
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast– Thank you to the 4th and 5th grade families who contributed. There will be 2 more breakfasts during the year for the other grades to participate.
Book Gifting – For a $20/kid donation, your child gets to select a new book during their birthday or half birthday month and their name will be added to the bookplate. With these donations Ms. Kaplan is able to purchase books for the library throughout the year. Book gifting donations can be made on the HSA website.
HSA Dues – These dues, separate from class dues, go toward many activities, events and supplies for students and teachers. They also give access to the school directory which is due to go live in mid October. Thank you to the over 120 families who have paid dues so far.
Spirit Wear – The first couple of pop-up shops have been very successful generating over $7000 in sales and $1500 in profit. The next pop-up will be at the Back to School Picnic.
Back to School Picnic – This annual fun, casual event will take place Friday, September 22nd on the back playground. Tickets and pizza can be purchased on the HSA website. The event starts at 5pm and there will be a sensory friendly start at 4:30 for those who prefer a quieter and calmer environment.
Progressive Dinner – This event will take place on Friday, October 13th. Tickets can be purchased on the HSA website. There is still a need for Kindergarten and Second grade host houses.
Volunteering Opportunities – Safety Patrol, Green Team and Art Aides are still looking for volunteers.
Holiday Photo Pop-up– Families will be able to book mini photo sessions at Somerville and can choose from a few different packages. The dates are November 3rd and 5th.
Thank you to Ms. Finnegan and all who attended today’s meeting in person and those who joined us on our Zoom call. Thank you Dr. Oates for meeting with us today!
Please keep an eye on the Tuesday E-News to stay up to date on all the latest information and announcements.
Next HSA Meeting will be on Friday, October 13th.
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