Note from Jamie Norton – The following is directly from the City of Somerville web site regarding the East Somerville Community School and the fire yesterday:

"The East Somerville Community School will be
closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 10th and 11th while School, City
and State officials assess the extent of damage in the building
following a 3-alarm blaze in the school early Sunday morning. The
school was unoccupied and no one was injured, however, the entire
southeast quadrant of the building sustained heavy structural damage.
The remainder of the 120,000-square foot educational facility has been
significantly affected by smoke and water.

Somerville
Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher reports that the fire appears to have
originated in Room 108, and the cause remains under investigation by
the Somerville Fire Investigation Unit and the State Fire Marshall’s
Investigation Unit.

How long will school be closed for students?

• School is closed at least through Tuesday, December 11th.

How long will school be closed for staff?

• Staff are asked to report for a staff meeting at the Edgerly Education Center on Tuesday, December 11th at 9:00 AM.

Can I get into the building to get my stuff?

• The
  building and the school yard are not safe.  No one can enter the
  building to get classroom materials or other belongings.The southeast
  quadrant of the building has been completely destroyed by the fire. 

Where will my child go to school now?

• Principal
  Holly Hatch and Assistant Principal Barbara O’Brien are working with
  the Superintendent and the Mayor to find alternate classroom locations
  for all students and teachers.  These alternate locations will keep
  students with their teachers and their classmates together.  The
  locations of these assignments will be available as soon as they are
  complete, and will be available on 311 and the SPS website.  A
  community meeting is being arranged and class assignments will also be
  available then.

Will there be bussing to the alternate classroom locations?

• No decision has been made as of this time.  We will let you know when alternate classroom locations are finalized.

Will there be afterschool programs in the alternate location?

• No decision has been made at this time.  We will let you know as soon as the decision has been made.

My child gets the bus at the East Somerville Community School.  Where will they go now?

• Special
  education and English language learner bus stops have been relocated to
  the corner of Otis and Cross Streets, across from the Edgerly Education
  Center.  Staff will be available on Monday morning and Monday afternoon
  to escort students and families to the new bus stop.

When is the community meeting?

• The
  date, time and location of the community meeting will be finalized
  before the end of the day on Monday.  A Connect-Ed message from Dr.
  Hatch will be sent to all families.  Information about the community
  meeting will also be posted on the Somerville Public Schools website
  and the City website. 

Where was the fire?  How did it start?

• The
  fire was in the southeast quadrant of the East Somerville Community
  School, near the corner of Pearl and Glen Streets.  The Somerville Fire
  Department is working with the State Fire Marshall to investigate the
  cause of the blaze. 

Was anyone hurt in the fire?

• The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no one was hurt.

Does this mean we get a new school?

• The
  Superintendent of Schools is working with the Mayor and the State to
  determine what happens next.  Our first priority is making sure
  students and teachers are safely located in alternate classrooms to
  minimize the disruption to learning and teaching.

Can I take my child to visit the school?

• The
  school building and schoolyard have been deemed unsafe for visitors,
  and many of the neighboring streets were closed by emergency response
  personnel.  If you choose to take your child to visit the school,
  please do not cross the emergency barriers, and do not enter the
  building or the school yard.  Please also bear in mind that every child
  will react to this situation in a different way.  They may be scared,
  angry, sad.  Assure them they are safe, and their teachers and
  classmates are all safe.

For
more information about the East Somerville Community School fire and
relocation plans, please call 311 in Somerville, or the Office of the
Superintendent, 617-625-6600 x6005."