Neurodiversity-focused Design Workshop for New School Building at 115 Sycamore June 26

As part of the design process for the new school building at 115 Sycamore Street, all community members are  invited to join a collaborative virtual workshop focused on ensuring the new building provides a welcome and supportive environment for all students – with a focus in this session on the needs of our neurodiverse student population.  

Project architects, Perkins Eastman, along with City staff, will share information about the project and how Universal Design principles will be applied throughout the building. Community members will then have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss, and provide feedback. The feedback gathered will be used by the City’s project team and architects to help inform design efforts and work moving forward. 

Please join us virtually via Zoom on Friday, June 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. Visit somervillema.gov/newschool to attend.  

The goal of this session is to better understand the community’s vision for how the building can best meet the needs of its neurodiverse student population. Discussions will focus on the application of Universal Design principles to provide supportive learning environments, facilitate movement, aide sensory regulation, and more.  

The timing for this session was scheduled in consultation with families at Somerville Public Schools including members of the Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council. If you cannot make the live session, feedback can be submitted via email any time to newschool@somervillema.gov.  

More About the Project 

Somerville is building a new school at 115 Sycamore Street and working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to access state funding to help cover the cost. This new school building will meet a range of Somerville School District needs. Various design options for how to configure quality learning environments within a larger structure are being explored. Community input will be invited throughout the development of the building’s design. Sign up for the project newsletter for updates on future opportunities.

Newsletter, Website, and Contact for the New School at 115 Sycamore 

Learn more, sign up for a monthly project newsletter, and stay up to date on the project at somervillema.gov/newschool. Email newschool@somervillema.gov or contact 311 with any questions. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov. 

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event.