By Andrea Gregory

School bells will ring, morning announcements will be made and summer vacation stories will be swapped in the hallways as Somerville public schools kick off the school year today, Wednesday.

School officials say they are preparing for a great year with several changes being implemented and much in the works.

“We’re in great shape for the school year,” said Anthony Pierantozzi, superintendent of schools, the day before school started. “It’s a beehive of activity.”

Pierantozzi was among several officials and members of the community who attended a Tuesday ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony at the new Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School on Washington Street. Argenziano was superintendent of schools from 1993 to 2005. In 16 months, the 110,000 square-foot school was created with 40 classrooms and the ability to welcome up to 600 students.

“We are looking forward to a great year,” Pierantozzi said. “Our staff is very enthusiastic.”

Along with a new building there are several new staffers.

“We have over 130 staff members in new positions,” said Pierantozzi.

Although there has been some shuffling around several new hires are starting with the school year, including Vince McKay, assistant superintendent of curriculum instruction and assessment.

Pierantozzi said there are still a few more positions to fill due to a few late resignations over the summer, including the Healy School principal.

Here is a look at other upcoming changes for this school year and beyond.

Green is for science
Somerville schools are getting on board with the citywide plan to go green. Solar panels will go into the high school, offsetting the use of standard power. And the swimming pool at the Kennedy School will soon be heated through solar panels as well.

The use of solar energy will also be worked into the learning experience. He said it is just one of the ways the school department is combining energy saving measures with educational tools.

Pierantozzi said the lessons will help students understand science and the impact behaviors and actions can have on the world.

“To understand the positive impact of alternative energy is important. Of course, all of this is a good science lesson as well,” said Pierantozzi.

Using the solar energy systems as a classroom tool fits in perfectly with a plan to teach more rigorous science lessons, he said. The new science lessons will be implemented in grades one through eight. The curriculum has been mapped out for teachers to make sure students are learning certain areas of science each year.

Pierantozzi said a new emphasis on science is aimed at preparing students to meet a graduation requirement that will be first implemented for the graduating class of 2010.

The sound of school music
Somerville also plans to increase its musical opportunities for students by purchasing $100,000 of new instruments. The proposal was part of the capital projects budget for fiscal year 2008 – which began July 1.

The investment in the music programs follows years of cutbacks to arts and music programs nationwide. Music and arts advisory groups say there is a direct connection between the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act and the cutting of arts programs, claiming testing pressures have outweighed the importance of extras in the curriculum activities.

Pierantozzi said buying the instruments would allow them to be locally controlled. He said he would like to see all students have access to the instruments regardless of their families’ income or documentation.

Several officials have supported building up the music program. In the near future, the School Committee is expected to vote on the plan to buy $100,000 worth of new instruments.

The day doesn’t have to end at 2 p.m.
According to Pierantozzi, the school department has worked hard to carry out long- and short-term goals of the School Committee.

A long-term goal of the School Committee is “developing a universal, safe enriching extension of the school day so that all students have time for a full educational experience.”

This is the last school year Somerville will receive state funding to run its 13 after school programs. Right now approximately 800 students are enrolled in a public after school programs. Half of the students are attending free of charge on the coattails of a five-year grant. Each year, the grant money has decreased since the district first received the funding, said Gretchen Kinder, coordinator of research and development information and grants. For the programs last year if funding through the grant the Somerville School Department is receiving $412,000, said Kinder.

According to Kinder, there is a 95 percent chance Somerville will not be able to renew the grant. However, knowing 400 kids have been attending for free, school officials are working on a plan to continue the program, possibly by using a sliding scale fee structure or helping families to obtain vouchers, she said.

A separate grant is going to allow middle school students more choices for their afternoons.

“We see a dip in academic involvement around that time,” Kinder said.

The grant is going to create a Middle School Leadership Academy. New clubs will be formed through the academy focusing on physical activities, career exploration, leadership development and academic enrichment. Previously, clubs were run on a drop-in basis. The new program will have middle-schoolers making more of a commitment. And with several options, including an entrepreneurs club and a crime scene science club, there is most likely something that can attract every student.

A new kind of school day
Kinder said Somerville also is applying for a grant to extend the school day in at least two of the schools. If Somerville does opt for more school hours, it will go into effect in September 2009. Students in the first schools to try out the new school hours would receive 300 additional hours of classroom time per year. She said there are several ways to add the hours in such as longer days or a year-round school year. For now, Somerville plans to use the year to examine if more school time will be a benefit and an appropriate route for the district.

“We are exploring if it will work for Somerville and how it will work,” she said.

According to her, more than 30 municipalities have received grants to examine expanding the school day or school year. However, less than one-third of those school districts have gone onto implement it.

For now, kids can enter the school year daydreaming about summer fun and knowing at least for next year, they will all be receiving a long summer vacation once again.