Questions
1)  Which Somerville schools are not fully handicapped accessible?
2)  My child has mobility challenges and wants to enroll in the Unidos program. How will you accomodate my child?
3)  My son/daughter has mobility challenges wants to enroll at Full Circle/Next Wave Alternative Schools. How will you accommodate my teen?
4)  What do I need to do to ensure I can get into the Brown School with my mobility challenges?
5)  What do I need to do to ensure I can get into the temporary sites of the East Somerville Community School with my mobility challenges?
6)  What do I need to do to ensure I can get into the Parent Information Center with my mobility challenges?
7)  Who do I contact if I have more questions or concerns about handicapped accessibility within the Somerville Public Schools?
 
Answers
1)  Q Which Somerville schools are not fully handicapped accessible?
A

The Somerville Public Schools is committed to having all activities in all schools accessible to all students, parents/guardians and community members. Unfortunately, two of our buildings, the Brown School and the Cummings School (home to the Parent Information Center and temporary home to Grades 5-8 of the East Somerville Community School), due to their age, are not totally accessible to individuals with disabilities, although sections of each building are accessible. If you have questions concerning the accessibility of a school site, please call the school principal, and accessible features will be discussed and reasonable accommodations will be made, including, if appropriate, relocation of an activity or event to an accessible location.

Handicap Access to the Brown School Handicap access to the Brown School can be found at the school entrance located on Kidder Avenue. The ramp at this doorway provides access to the Brown School basement where the kindergarten classes and handicap restrooms are located.

For assistance, please contact Ms. Kathleen Seward, Principal of the Brown School, at 617-625-6600 Ext. 6410 or via our web-based contact form which will send her an email.

Handicap Access to East Somerville Community School at Edgerly/Unidos Grades 1-4, and Full Circle/Next Wave A ramp located on the Bonair Street side of the Edgerly building provides access to all schools/programs/offices in the Edgerly Building. This ramp directs visitors with mobility to the first floor elevator which provides access to all floors of the building.

If the ramp door is locked please call the office you are trying to reach for assistance:

  • East Somerville Community School - 617-625-6600 x6500
  • Full Circle/Next Wave - 617-625-6600 x6870
  • Special Education - 617-625-6600 x6800

Handicap Access to East Somerville Community School at Cummings/Unidos Grades 5-8 A ramp located at 42 Prescott Street provides limited handicap access to the East Somerville Community School at Cummings. (Some small wheelchairs and other mobility devices such as walkers and canes may be accomodated by the ramp.)

This entrance provides access to the main office of the school, the school gymnasium, the nurse's office, the Parent Information Center, and the Family Network.

For assistance, please contact Dr. Holly Hatch, Principal of the East Somerville Community School, at 617-625-6600 Ext. 6510.

Handicap Access to Parent Information Center located in the former Cummings School A ramp located at 42 Prescott Street provides handicap access to the Parent Information Center located in what is now the (temporary) East Somerville Community School at Cummings. (Some small wheelchairs and other mobility devices such as walkers and canes may be accomodated by the ramp.)

For assistance, please contact Regina Bertholodo, Director of the Parent Information Center at 617-625-6600 x6962.
2)  Q My child has mobility challenges and wants to enroll in the Unidos program. How will you accomodate my child?
A

Accommodations will be made so that students with mobility challenges will have full access to a bilingual, two-way instructional program in a fully accessible site.

Students with mobility challenges who seek to enroll in the Unidos program for any grade should follow the normal school registration procedure. If your student is accepted for an open slot in Unidos please contact Special Education Director Debbie Connell, to discuss accommodations. Ms. Connell can be reached at 617-625-6600 x6800.
3)  Q My son/daughter has mobility challenges wants to enroll at Full Circle/Next Wave Alternative Schools. How will you accommodate my teen?
A

Accommodations will be made so that students with mobility challenges will have full access to a therapeutic middle and high school instructional program in a fully accessible site.

Students with mobility challenges who seek to enroll in the Full Circle or Next Wave should follow the normal school registration procedure. If your student is accepted for an open slot at Full Circle or Next Wave please contact Special Education Director Debbie Connell, to discuss accommodations. Ms. Connell can be reached at 617-625-6600 x6800.
4)  Q What do I need to do to ensure I can get into the Brown School with my mobility challenges?
A
To facilitate the provision of accommodations, please contact the school principal at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to a scheduled event.

The Principal of the Brown School is Ms. Kathleen Seward. She can be reached by phone at 617-625-6600 x6410 or by email.
5)  Q What do I need to do to ensure I can get into the temporary sites of the East Somerville Community School with my mobility challenges?
A
To facilitate the provision of accommodations, please contact the school principal at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to a scheduled event.

The Principal of the Cummings site of the East Somerville Community School is Dr. Holly Hatch. She can be reached by phone at 617-625-6600 x6510 or by email.
6)  Q What do I need to do to ensure I can get into the Parent Information Center with my mobility challenges?
A
To facilitate the provision of accommodations, please contact the Director of the Parent Information Centerl at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to a scheduled event.

The Director of the Parent Information Center is Ms. Regina Bertholodo. She can be reached by phone at 617-625-6600 x6962 or by email.
7)  Q Who do I contact if I have more questions or concerns about handicapped accessibility within the Somerville Public Schools?
A
Any individual with additional questions about accessibility issues in the Somerville Public Schools may contact Mr. Tony Pierantozzi, Superintendent of Schools at 617-625-6600 X 6005 or Mr. Rich Melillo, Director of Student Services at 617-625-6600 X6028.