Schools in Somerville are getting ready for students to return to classrooms in April.

By Alex Reidy

The Somerville School Committee Meeting on Monday night began with presenting details of the hybrid return to school, which is currently in its 3rd phase, as of April 5 teachers returned and on April 8 students in grades 3-6 will return to the in-person hybrid classes.

Tests will continue as April vacation will see a full return to 5-day school weeks by April 26. PK–8th grade, but not high schoolers will for the foreseeable future will remain in remote learning.

Starting on Monday, April 26, there will be a 2-hour delayed start for all PK-8 students so that staff can rapid test Monday morning after the break before resuming classes.

The April 26 start times for students are 10:45 a.m. for PK and 10:15 a.m. for grades K-8. There will be a regular 1:45 p.m. dismissal for PK and 2:35 p.m. dismissal for K-8 students.

All PK to 8th grade students will resume their regular in-person start times on Tuesday, April 27.

Student representatives spoke of graduation being set for June 7, with a rain date of June 9. It will be streamed live with professional photographers.

A motion was made to create student committees that will serve together with the School Committee in order to provide student feedback and information to the committee and to influence decisions.

A quick update on COVID-19 testing was given with 1,524 students and 697 staff having been tested in the month of March, showing a .18 percent positivity rate, with 0 staff positive since March 1.

Break testing will occur on the April 20 and 22. Crossover sports were also discussed, and it has been decided that as long as you play on a school team you cannot play for a travel or other league team.

A presentation on statistics was made and it was shown that multilingual learners are struggling in comparison with others, and a commitment to bettering the multilingual learners was made.

A presentation in equity showed the goals of Equity and Excellence in Somerville Public Schools, initiatives included establishing systems and structures which advance equity in the district, creating robust professional development opportunities, to support each school community, and responding with appropriate supports.

There is an advancing equity task force, a team of 25 who work to identify systemic inequities, affinity group working group, a group of ten looking to plan the incorporation of affinity groups for students and staff. All educator professional goals needed to be aligned with equity.

There is a new school-based equity specialist who is generally a teacher who works with administration in meeting individual needs for equity. Some organizations that they are partnered with include UnboundEd, the SEED project, BetterLesson, Dr. Daren Graves, and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, all dedicated to improving equity.

College readiness and counselor effectiveness was also discussed and how statistics are showing that many students are applying to college and have their FAFSA filled out already.

Public comments were made, with some complaining about the lack of education being provided in schools, in terms of time spent actually teaching, the police being called on students for disciplinary actions, and the hybrid school format.

The motion to make the Emergency 1-year Leave of Absence and School Placement Hold Policy go into effect was made and seconded.