MAY newsletter
Rosanna Paribello, OST Director
Adriana Guereque, OST Assistant Director
Gina Miranda, Student Services Coordinator
Dana Gordon, Clinical Consultant
Embedded Files
Parent Resources
Important Dates
Adventure Summer Program from July 6 to August 7
ESCS students in grades K to 2nd
Healey School students in grades 3rd and up
Financial Aid Assistance Information
In our commitment to making our program as available as possible, we continue to provide financial assistance for families. If you need information, please contact Adriana Guereque at aguereque@k12.somerville.ma.us. You can also contact the Site Director at your child's school.
Thank you for all your support to Community Schools – being with your children makes us all happy!
Counselor’s Corner
by Dana Gordon, Clinical Consultant
Happy May everyone! This month, we celebrate National Mental Health Month, which highlights the importance of community support and connection in making every day a good one. May is also when we recognize Teacher Appreciation Week and we are incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing group of teachers who are dedicated to building strong relationships where all of our students can grow, thrive, and feel supported. We believe that our teachers’ encouragement, compassion, and care for all our kids make our program the wonderful community it is and we appreciate everything they do! In the spirit of Mental Health Month, our teachers always work hard to create spaces full of enrichment and community engagement to make more good days possible for everyone. Please join us in celebrating and honoring our teachers this month!
Albert F. Argenziano
Albert F. Argenziano
Site Director: Elizabeth Bell
Assistant Site Director; Brianna Arevalo
Ileana Perlera, Etta Resnick, Ana Cortez, Sana Kazemi, Gianna Bottiglio, Brandy Ellis, Shruti Sood, Zaita Antonio, Sophia Ortega, JAred Perovic,
andrea cardoza, LEILA MCLAREN, Komal Verna
Happy May Argenziano families!! We are almost to the close of Session 3, wow, that went by fast! The end of the school year is quickly approaching as well. Students seem to have thoroughly enjoyed a variety of clubs this session- learning new skills, building teamwork, and brushing up on their crafting skills. They also continue to have lots of fun being outside on the playground! Let’s check out what each grade level is up to.
*Parents/Guardians: With temperatures getting warmer soon, please make sure to send your child with a water bottle and a hat or something similar for sun protection. Thanks! Please label your child's belongings. Thanks so much for your donations and support!!
Keep an eye out for an email about our end-of-year family party & activities!
Pre-K/K (Ms. Shruti):
Happy May! This past month, the Pre-K students have been learning all about spring! We started the month by doing rain-related activities and crafts such as making rain cloud hangers and rain sticks. Then, we learned how rain helps flowers and plants grow and did floral crafts, like making vases and mini flowers, and working on our fine motor skills by folding origami tulips. Finally, we learned about how plants grow through pollination and did crafts and played games related to pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and bats. We also learned about how bugs are important in the springtime and even enjoyed the nice weather to look for some outside!
K-2nd grade (Mr. P, Ms. Sana, Ms. Zaita, Ms. Etta & Ms. Leila)
Hello families! Since coming back from April break, the kids have had a lot of energy lately! Some of our clubs, like Peaceful Pandas and Wiggly Giggle Dance, are here to help them expend their energy. In the Wiggly Giggle Dance club, children are encouraged and taught how to move their bodies in a fun and safe way. They can create their own movements, work in teams, copy the silly movements, and most importantly, have fun with friends while having safe bodies. In the Peaceful Pandas club, we try to create a relaxing environment to help calm our bodies and minds. The kids can learn strategies to calm their minds, control their emotions, share their thoughts, and learn different ways to manage big feelings. Overall, we are enjoying the rest of Session 3 as we fly towards summer and look forward to the rest of this year’s afterschool adventures!
3rd-5th (Ms. Ana, Ms. Ileana & Ms. Andrea):
In the 3rd-5th grade, this session, we give students the chance to explore creativity, teamwork, and friendly competition through exciting clubs like Mini Olympic Games and Craft Zone. In Mini Olympic Games, students participated in fun athletic challenges, relay races, team-building activities, and cooperative games that promoted sportsmanship, leadership, communication, and physical fitness. In Craft Zone, students expressed their creativity through hands-on art projects, DIY crafts, and seasonal activities. Together, these clubs provide a fun, welcoming space where students can build confidence, develop new skills, form friendships, and enjoy meaningful after-school experiences.
Arthur D. Healey School
Arthur D. Healey School
Site Director: Amanda Oppman
Assistant Site Director: Alexander Walters
Nicholas Triant, Suri Gonzalez, Christopher Thompson, Samuel Macmillan, Delmis Aviles, Rafael Santos,
Ryan Ribeiro-Bisetti, Maria Lima Da SIlva, ALEXA RYAN
The Healey afterschool kids have been having a great May in Afterschool! We have been enjoying the warm weather and getting outside whenever we can! We were sad to see Mr. Rafael go, but we wish him the best and will look forward to his visit! We wish him luck in the Police Academy.
The younger students have been enjoying Ms. Alexa's clubs, which include Story to Screen, Lego, Perler Beads, Puzzle, and Creative Creations, and Mr. Mac's clubs which include Play 60, Throwback Gym Class, and Lessons in Film. They especially love to get creative with Ms. Alexa in Lego Club, Perler Beads and Creative Creations, and they love getting active with Mr. Mac in the gym in Play 60 and Throwback Gym Class.
Mr. Rafael's clubs have been taken over by Mr. Walters and Ms. Maria. They've been having a blast in these clubs, which are Soccer, Chess, Backyard Adventures, Trivia Masters, and Art Explorers, and in Mr. T's clubs, which include Water Colors, Flag Football, and Perler Beads. Students of all ages have also loved our outside providers' clubs, which include Farrington Nature and Parkour.
We have only about a month left in the school year, and we will make the most of it! We look forward to the last month of the school year and a great summer ahead!
Benjamin G. Brown School
Benjamin G. Brown School
Site Director: Kelsey Kent
Assistant Site Director: Justin Penezic
Ashley Marks, Jessica Alvarenga Lazo, Marie Cheney, Grace Barton,
El Ark, Jesus Castro, Ryleigh Martell, Vijayalaxmi, COLE THOMPSON, Madeleine LUCEY
As we step into May, we’re excited to enjoy the warmer weather and all the fun it brings! This month is full of engaging activities, outdoor play, and opportunities for students to continue learning and growing together.
We've had an exciting start to the month, with the learning showcase taking place on Thursday, May 7th, and the Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 12th, with the students showcasing their passions and talents! We are so proud of them and all their hard work and dedication that they put forth for these events!
So far, the kiddos have been enjoying their session III clubs! Some of the highlighted clubs for this session include: Danger Wisard- A classic that they love and inspires their creativity! Yarn Club - Has been a huge hit with students, creating their own yarn creations each week! Jeopardy - Where students compete each week in different categories and topics! Kickball - Where the younger kids learn the rules of kickball and compete in a friendly game each week! Soccer - A Tufts student-led club where the younger students engage in a friendly competition each week and learn the rules of soccer!
We can't believe that we are approaching the end of the year! We are so thankful for your continued support every day, and hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend!
East Somerville Community School
East Somerville Community School
Site Director: Yolanda Andrade
Assistant Site Director: ali tammaro
Raymond Corsini Joanne Simon, Sonia Barahona, Mario Quiroz, Sharon Castellon, Ashley Castro, Angie Montealegre, Michael Chiaravalloti, Jaime Albayeros, Taylin Smith, Olivia Oliveira, Devin Andrade, Luzmila Magana, Bryan Rodriguez, Kayla Lopez, Virgilio Garcia, Jessy Munos-Palacios, Emily Posada
What a fabulous May we’ve had together! We have been enjoying the beautiful weather, the budding flowers, and the last few weeks we have together this school year. What a year it has been! Our students have worked so hard, and we are so proud of each and every one of them. They’ve grown in so many ways, becoming encouraging friends, supportive teammates, and trustworthy leaders. We can’t wait to see what next year brings for them!
We’ve had some great projects coming out of our session three club. Some of which include beading creations, puzzles, and many paper airplanes. We’ve also played some favorite games together, including Fishy Fishy Cross My Ocean, four corners, and Simon Says. We had a wonderful time celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Ms. Ester and the Spanish is Fun team!
We are so thankful for the beautiful weather, spending time in the sun, and making core memories together!
Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center
Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center
Site Director: Michael Horowitz
Assistant Site Director: Sarthak Khamal
Bryan Convey, Ana Treska, Neelam Sehil, Mei Idri, Joao Detoledo, Mamata Chalise, Latifa Mortady, Devin Baxter, Fanta Diawara, Rute Zephyr, Gabriela Miranda
The sun is climbing higher and higher in the sky as each day passes. Beautiful warm weather and blue skies mean that we spend more time outdoors in the playground. It sounds marvelous and it is, but more outdoor time as we approach the summer solstice means increased risk of sunburn. Please pack sunscreen especially on the final four half Wednesdays when Capuano after-school may be out in the noonday sun.
Since April vacation, themes have run along the lines of "Recycling", “Fruits, “Birds”, and “Zoo Animals.” Classes have read books like “Birds' Nests” by Helen Frost, “Zoo Sounds” by Sam Taplin, “Oliver’s Fruit Salad” by Vivian French, and “Our Green Planet” by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe. Projects have included making fruit baskets, fruit matching, bluejay’s nests, Do-A-Dot lions, elephants, and giraffes, flower collages using recycled materials, and tracing our shadows.
We continue to have lessons on big feelings and dealing with big feelings. We also focus on what it means to be kind and how to solve problems with your friends.
In about a month, the school year will end. We hope that you are beginning to look forward to the summer months ahead. We are!
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Site Director: Allison Pelletier
Assistant Site Director: Kelly Lopez
Nicole Tolbert, Savannah Paul, Maureen Nichols, IULIIA POROSHINA, Mary Lou Hodgdon, Silvana Dinka, Christopher Montejo, DAMARIS MENDEZ, JENISSA AYBAR
Thank you so much for your incredible support while Ms. Alison was out. Ms. Kelly truly appreciates your patience, kindness, and understanding during this time.
We had a wonderful celebration for Teacher Appreciation Week! Our dedicated staff works hard every day to ensure your children are safe, cared for, and supported throughout our program. We are so grateful for our amazing team and for your continued partnership.
This month, our Pre‑K students dove into the fascinating world of insects. We learned that all insects have six legs and three main body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Students explored what insects eat, how they grow, and where they live. To conclude the unit, they created their own insect books and enjoyed bug‑sorting games. This week, we are launching our Outer Space unit, exploring the unique features of the planets, constellations, and the moon, as well as how astronauts travel into space. The children have already designed their own constellations and created beautiful moon paintings using tin foil. We are excited to continue discovering the wonders of the universe.
Our kindergarten and first-grade students have been busy exploring exciting clubs this month. In Ms. Dinka’s Math Games Club, children participate in mystery math games and solve challenging riddles that strengthen their critical thinking skills. Activities like Math Puzzles and What Is Your Answer? are crowd favorites that everyone enjoys. Recently, students brought three‑dimensional shapes to life by constructing them with colorful paper and string, connecting math with hands‑on creativity. At Dancing Club, students are learning step‑by‑step routines and performing as a team to popular tracks such as The Macarena, The Chicken Dance, and The Cha Cha Slide. Moving together in rhythm builds focus, coordination, and teamwork while bringing plenty of joy.
Our second graders have been thoroughly enjoying the Mystery Reader challenge during reading time. Each day, one student who demonstrates exceptional concentration wins a prize. This fun and motivating activity has inspired everyone to stay focused and dive deeper into their reading.
Students in grades three through six have also been busy with a variety of clubs and activities. In Footy Fanatics, they have been showing off new soccer skills and teamwork. Literary Legends recently finished reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret and celebrated with a movie viewing of Hugo. Helping Hands kept everyone engaged during Mother’s Day as students created heartfelt projects to show appreciation for all the moms in their lives. In Drama Club, creativity has taken center stage as students design props, write plays, and act them out—all in one session. Their recent Star Wars‑themed performance was a huge success. Music Club has been full of energy, with students experimenting with rhythm and lyrics through friendly rap battles. In Gym Class Heroes, soccer, kickball, and football have kept everyone active and energized. Debate Club has sparked lively discussions on topics such as whether homework should be banned, encouraging students to think critically and express their opinions respectfully. Finally, in the Storytelling Club, young authors have been writing and sharing their own original stories, showcasing creativity and imagination in every piece.
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
Site Director: Diana Posada
Assistant Site Director: Maria Henriquez
Tanty Koita, Nehemie Simon, Luz Janampa, Roxana Alfaro, Alaa boutkhurst, Ruolx Dorvilier, Olivia coleman, nancy nimako, aryanna peart, olivia prophete
During the lovely month of May, our afterschool program is buzzing with excitement and accomplishment! Students have continued to work hard in their clubs and activities, and many of our clubs are now preparing to finalize their projects and celebrations for the year. Explore the World has been traveling to a different country every week and trying foods from every country! In our Trivia Club, students have been challenged with different tasks every week, such as
We are also enjoying the arrival of warmer weather and longer days. The improved climate has allowed us to spend more time outdoors participating in games, physical activities, and group events. Students have especially enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, and opportunities to connect with friends outside after a long winter season.
As we move toward the end of the school year, we are proud of all our students have accomplished and look forward to finishing the year strong together!
Additionally, we also want to take a moment to thank Ms. Nancy- our very own graduating Somerville High School senior for all that she has done for the students and the program throughout these years.
Unfortunately, her last day with us was on May 15, 2026 as she prepares to get ready to attend Morgan State University, an HBCU and continue her educational career.
We wish you well in your future Ms. Nancy!
West Somerville Neighborhood School
West Somerville Neighborhood School
Site Director: Joshua Leibovitz
Assistant Site Director: Seana Read
Jane Fabiano, Darly Pierre, Gianna Amari, Joseph Amari, Rodrigo Rodriguez, Katherine Yanes, Henry Duarte, Teodor Todorov, Valerie Perez
Can you believe the school year is almost done? The countdown to summer has officially begun, and everyone is getting excited for all the fun ahead! We still remember the first days of after-school when many of our kiddos were nervous to start, and now they never want to leave and get upset when they get picked up at 5:30 pm. Our students in CinemaKidz have been hard at work creating movies and are getting ready to hit the blockbuster store, so don’t forget to bring your Blue Card to rent a movie! Meanwhile, our older kiddos have been channeling their inner Picasso by creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces that are clearly worth at least one million dollars. And of course, we cannot forget Ms. Jane’s kiddos, who are getting ready for the exciting next step into Kindergarten and joining Mr. Rodrigo’s team next year! Everyone is filled with excitement, and as always, we are looking forward to celebrating together at our End-of-the-Year Party.
Reminders for Families
Please see our WSNS Afterschool class on the TalkingPoints for Families app for the quickest updates. Email Josh or Seana if you have any questions about the app.
Pack extra clothes for younger children in case of accidents or emergencies.
Afterschool does not have its own Lost and Found. We use the Lost and Found located outside the main office. Please be sure to check it regularly!
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PROGRAM
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