On Tuesday, November 17, Somerville Public Schools students and teachers participated in a Massachusetts State House event with the Legislative Tech Caucus to promote Computer Science Education Week. During the 4-hour event, students had an opportunity to hear from and interact with state legislators, and work with legislators and aides including Somerville State Senator Pat Jehlen, on hands-on Hour of Code activities.

Last year, under the guidance of Charlie LaFauci – SPS Supervisor of Library/Media Services, Shawn Stzurma – Brown School parent and Director of Financial Services Solutions at Pegasystems, Marie Foreman – Math Department Chair at SHS, all district Library Media Specialists, and Math teachers at Somerville High School, Somerville Public Schools earned the MassTech Leadership Council’s “Distinguished Leadership” award. The award recognized Somerville’s leadership in providing every student in the district the opportunity to learn the basics of coding during the 2014 Somerville Hour of Code event. Learn more about Somerville’s 2014 event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37bOc-2M4wE.

Plans are well under way for the 2015 Somerville Hour of Code event, which will take place at every school in the District during the week of December 7^th through 13^th. Interested community members are invited to be part of this outstanding initiative. Register to volunteer at https://goo.gl/IoXjtc. Learn more about the Hour of Code at http://hourofcode.com/us.