Questions
1)  What is the current status of the East Somerville Community School at 115 Pearl Street?
2)  When is the next community meeting about the reconstruction of the 115 Pearl Street site?
3)  What will be the features of the renovated East Somerville Community School?
4)  When is the East Somerville Community School scheduled to reopen?
5)  How can I get more information about the recovery efforts?
6)  What are the details of the financing of the renovated East Somerville Community School?
7)  What is the role of the School Committee?
8)  What role is the community playing in the process?
9)  What can you tell me about the mural being created for the outside of the school when it is renovated?
10)  Who has contributed to the rebuilding efforts at the East Somerville Community School?
11)  How can I donate to the East Somerville Community School Fire Fund?
12)  Has the fire affected enrollment or transfers out of the building?
 
Answers
1)  Q What is the current status of the East Somerville Community School at 115 Pearl Street?
A

Following the early December completion of the financing agreements for the renovation of the East Somerville Community School, the City of Somerville announced the start of the demolition and reconstruction process. The formal groundbreaking ceremony which marked the beginning of the renovation project, was on December 20th at 4:00 PM.

Demolition is now underway. Project Manager reports to the the City of Somerville, the School Committee, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority are available for members of the public to review at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/fire_reports.

The March 24, 2011 episode of Our Schools, Our Citypresented an update on the demolition process to the public. Watch the episode here:

2)  Q When is the next community meeting about the reconstruction of the 115 Pearl Street site?
A
The next community meeting about the reconstruction of the 115 Pearl Street site is on June 16th at 6:20 PM at the Capuano Early Childhood Center (150 Glen Street). The entire community is invited to attend.
3)  Q What will be the features of the renovated East Somerville Community School?
A

The March 24, 2011 episode of Our Schools, Our Citypresented the plan for the school to the public. Watch the episode here:

The features of the reconstructed school will include:

  • Bus drop off on Cross Street
  • Relocated main entrance on Cross Street
  • Renovated site - bb courts moved, new playground structures, synthetic turf playing field, added greenery to site, sloped terrace are at Pearl Street with age-appropriate playground equipment, new community playground area.
  • All state-of-the-art systems - electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire protection
  • Refurbished kitchen, cafeteria, gymnasium, media center (library) and auditorium (including new seating), flexible spaces for after school and community use programs
  • Interior courtyards re-designed to function as teaching spaces
  • Numerous sustainable design ("Green") features - high efficiency HVAC equipment low-flow fixtures, room occupancy sensors for lighting along with maximized use of natural light, use of recycled materials in construction, 90% recycling of demolition debris, green roof
  • Fully accessible per ADA requirements
  • New exterior "skin" consisting of a combination of metal and masonry panels
  • All new windows, doors, classroom cabinets and lockers,
  • Smart Boards in every classroom

You can learn more about the public discussion of the potential features of the renovated school in a 5/19/2010 article in The Somerville News .

4)  Q When is the East Somerville Community School scheduled to reopen?
A
We're currently planning to reopen the School in September 2013.
5)  Q How can I get more information about the recovery efforts?
A

There are five ways to stay on top of information about the reconstruction of the East Somerville Community School at 115 Pearl Street:

  1. The City and School will continue to provide updates here and online at http://www.somervillema.gov.
  2. Updates are also being provided through the School Improvement Council, which meets approximately monthly, www.somerville.k12.ma.us/escs_council
  3. You can also read the monthly Project Manager report, online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/fire_reports.
  4. Watch the March 24th episode of Our Schools, Our City to watch a 30-minute interview with Project Manager Gerry Boyle and Principal Dr. Holly Hatch. The episode will be online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/tv,
  5. The City of Somerville also set up a Facebook page to keep the community updated on the progress of the school reconstruction.
6)  Q What are the details of the financing of the renovated East Somerville Community School?
A

On 12/2/10 the Somerville Board of Aldermen authorized the appropriation of $33,185,258 and Authorization to Borrow Up to $33,185,258 for the Cost of Rehabilitation and Renovation of the East Somerville Community School.

A press release detailing the final financing agreement between the City of Somerville and the Massachusetts School Building Authority is attached here.


7)  Q What is the role of the School Committee?
A
The School Committee has set a goal of monitoring the ESCS reconstruction project and maintaining the ESCS school community at temporary locations at the Edgerly and Cummings, as well as for those grades temporarily housed at the Capuano Early Childhood Center and the Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park. They will achieve this goal through regular reports by the Superintendent of Schools. Most School Committee meetings are open to the public and minutes are available online. Please visit the Somerville Public Schools website for a calendar of upcoming School Committee meetings, or to read minutes of School Committee meetings online.
8)  Q What role is the community playing in the process?
A

A community advisory group is advising the process of rebuilding a facility in which every student can succeed. This group is led by the Mayor. A 5/19/2010 article in The Somerville News reports on what happened at a public meeting on 5/11/2010.
9)  Q What can you tell me about the mural being created for the outside of the school when it is renovated?
A

Visit our mural page, www.somerville.k12.ma.us/escs_mural, to learn more about the mural project and to see a slide show of images of the mural as it has evolved.
10)  Q Who has contributed to the rebuilding efforts at the East Somerville Community School?
A
The Mayor, the Somerville Public Schools, and the City of Somerville continue to be most grateful to parents/guardians, students, and staff for their collaborative efforts to make sure Every Student Can Succeed at the East Somerville Community School.

The District is also grateful to the family of Grade 5 teacher Brenda McDonnell, who passed away over the summer, for naming the East Somerville Community School Fire Fund as the beneficiary of any funds donated by friends, family and colleagues. More than $4,000 has been donated in honor of Brenda McDonnell. This is in addition to the more than $65,000 in cash and in-kind services donated since the devastating fire on December 9, 2007. The District continues to be grateful to the Parent/Teacher Association and the Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding work to help raise these funds.
11)  Q How can I donate to the East Somerville Community School Fire Fund?
A

If you wish to give a cash donation, please send a check made out to the Somerville Public Schools with "ESCS Fire Fund" in the memo line. This can then be mailed to the Business Office of the Somerville Public Schools, 181 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143. If you wish to make a donation of in-kind goods or services, please contact the Coordinator of Grant Writing & Information to make sure the school community needs or can use what you have to give. The Coordinator of Grant Writing & Information can be reached at 617-625-6600 x6013 or smorgan@k12.somerville.ma.us.
12)  Q Has the fire affected enrollment or transfers out of the building?
A
The support from families of students at the East Somerville Community School has been excellent. Class sizes are consistent and community building remains an enthusiastic priority of the school community.