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Somerville's Healey school works toward unification
As Somerville schools prepare to let the students out for summer - the last day of classes is Tuesday - two of its seven elementary schools are working toward big changes.
Come fall, the Arthur D. Healey School will essentially start anew as one consolidated educational program. Until now, the school has been divided between the Choice classes and the Neighborhood classes. They'll be doing it without the principal who advocated strongly for the change a year ago, however: Jason DeFalco announced June 16 that he had accepted a position in the Worcester public school system, according to a statement.
Assistant principal Purnima Vadhera is stepping up to take on the role as of July 1. She joined the Somerville school district in July 2010. The district hopes to hire a permanent principal by spring 2012. In addition, a search for an interim assistant principal is now open, with the goal of filling the job by Aug.15.
"Over the last year, Ms. Vadhera has demonstrated that she is a talented instructional leader, a strong communicator, and an effective administrator. Appointing Ms. Vadhera to serve as Interim Principal of the Healey School will ensure the transition into the 2011-2012 school year is seamless," superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi said in a statement.
The School Committee budget for FY 2012 allots $52,700 to "support Healey School Choice unification" through consultants and staff training. The district also plans special events to celebrate the new program in September.
Change is also proceeding at the East Somerville Community School. Officials confirmed at a June 16 meeting that the new school building should be substantially complete by October 2012, according to district materials. They anticipate opening the new building in January 2013. The school building was destroyed by fire in December 2007.
According to the School Committee budget, ESCS is slated to have two fewer elementary sections next year, from 16 to 14, due to changes in enrollment. The Healey's sections will remain stable. Districtwide, the number of kindergarteners and fifth-graders is projected to rise; first, sixth, and eighth grade enrollment is going down.
The superintendent's proposed budget is $49.5 million, a 1.67 percent increase from last year.
Learn more at www.somerville.k12.ma.us.
Come fall, the Arthur D. Healey School will essentially start anew as one consolidated educational program. Until now, the school has been divided between the Choice classes and the Neighborhood classes. They'll be doing it without the principal who advocated strongly for the change a year ago, however: Jason DeFalco announced June 16 that he had accepted a position in the Worcester public school system, according to a statement.
Assistant principal Purnima Vadhera is stepping up to take on the role as of July 1. She joined the Somerville school district in July 2010. The district hopes to hire a permanent principal by spring 2012. In addition, a search for an interim assistant principal is now open, with the goal of filling the job by Aug.15.
"Over the last year, Ms. Vadhera has demonstrated that she is a talented instructional leader, a strong communicator, and an effective administrator. Appointing Ms. Vadhera to serve as Interim Principal of the Healey School will ensure the transition into the 2011-2012 school year is seamless," superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi said in a statement.
The School Committee budget for FY 2012 allots $52,700 to "support Healey School Choice unification" through consultants and staff training. The district also plans special events to celebrate the new program in September.
Change is also proceeding at the East Somerville Community School. Officials confirmed at a June 16 meeting that the new school building should be substantially complete by October 2012, according to district materials. They anticipate opening the new building in January 2013. The school building was destroyed by fire in December 2007.
According to the School Committee budget, ESCS is slated to have two fewer elementary sections next year, from 16 to 14, due to changes in enrollment. The Healey's sections will remain stable. Districtwide, the number of kindergarteners and fifth-graders is projected to rise; first, sixth, and eighth grade enrollment is going down.
The superintendent's proposed budget is $49.5 million, a 1.67 percent increase from last year.
Learn more at www.somerville.k12.ma.us.
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