Winter Clothing Drive
The Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) has an Amazon wish list and a Target wish list to make donations to local families in need.
Welcome Somerville Families
Ideas for starting a conversation with your toddler, child, or teen about our current health crisis www.somerville.k12.ma.us/TalkingAboutCoronavirus
Read our Social Stories for Young Children and their Caregivers all about feelings that can arise during the current health crisis. Find them at the top of our Talking About Coronavirus page. Available in several languages.
NEW: Read about the SFLC COVID-19 Response!
Please email the Director of the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative Nomi Davidson with any urgent basic needs questions.
February Calendar
Download the February Calendar
Parenting in a Pandemic Support Group
February 3, 2021. Thursday, 7:00–8:30pm
Talking with others who are going through similar experiences can help. Parents/guardians are invited to join the Parenting in a Pandemic Support Group facilitated by Amy Bamforth, MS (ED.), LICSW, Early Childhood Specialist at the SFLC. To register for Zoom information, please email sfn@k12.somerville.ma.us and visit the Playgroup and Support Group webpage for more support group information.
Friday Family Fun Night
Legal Services Clinic
February 25, 2021. Thursday, 1:00–3:00pm
Connect with representatives from the City of Somerville’s SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs for information, resources, and to make an appointment to speak
with a law student and immigration attorney team from the Harvard Immigration & Refugee Clinic. The team will work to answer any immigration questions a resident may have. To register for a free immigration consultation, please call:
• Portuguese: Adriana Fernandes, 617-429-5990
• Spanish: Irma Flores, 617-429-5842
• English: Maria Muti, 617-625-6600 x2619
• Nepali: Parashu Ram Phual, 617-429-6012
• Haitian Creole: Jhenny Saint-Surin, 617-429-5911
Food Resources for Families in Somerville
Ongoing
Free Grab-And-Go Meals are distributed Mondays through Fridays, 11:30am–2:00pm at all PK/K-8 Somerville Public Schools. Grab-And-Go Meals are also available from 7:30–9:00am at the East Somerville, Healey, and Winter Hill Schools. The Food for Free/SFLC 2020–2021 “Backpack Program” is running in a modified format this school year with a distribution of monthly grocery gift cards to eligible families. Do you know a food insecure family with children in the Somerville Public Schools? Refer them to their school’s SFLC Family and Community Liaison to see if they qualify for enrollment. City of Somerville partners such as Shape Up Somerville and the Council on Aging are also working to address food security alongside our community partners in the Somerville Food Security Coalition. Visit http://somervillefoodsecurity.org/ for information about food pantries, free community meals, and more.
Somerville Diaper Project
Ongoing
In collaboration with The Beautiful Stuff Project, Cradles to Crayons, and individual donors, free diapers are distributed every Wednesday to Somerville families, 11:30am–12:30pm, at the East Somerville Community School and West Somerville Neighborhood School. Volunteer to distribute or make home deliveries. It is safe, outdoor, contactless volunteering. Donations of diapers are accepted, or make a donation by purchasing diapers here. To volunteer, contact SPS/SFLC Volunteer Coordinator Jen Capuano at JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
SomerBaby
Ongoing
English Contact: Rachel Wilensky 617-981-4382
Spanish Contact: Flor Apolaya 617-549-3455
Portuguese Contact: Maria Holz 617-549-1690
Ages and Stages Developmental Screening
The Somerville Community Growing Center
Fridays in February, 10:00am–12:00pm
Did you know you can visit the Growing Center (22 Vinal Ave.) during Open Hours? Volunteer hosts will open the garden on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, unless there is severe weather. Everyone is welcome to stroll the paths, explore the garden, and take a moment to enjoy this little green oasis tucked right next to Union Square. Dress to stay warm and dry, and get some outdoor exercise! Safety precautions include: masks and social distancing, and limited number of guests at one time. To learn more, visit www.thegrowingcenter.org.
SFLC Community Clothing Closet
Ongoing
The SFLC Community Clothing Closet, free clothing for families in need, is operating remotely and at a limited capacity. If you have concerns about a Somerville family’s need for warm clothing this winter, please contact your school-based SFLC Family and Community Liaisons or Francia Reyes.
SOMERVILLE SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SSEPAC)
Ongoing, Remote
The Somerville SEPAC works to support a network of families of children who have special learning needs, to advise the school district, and to provide a forum for families to share information. Join SSEPAC to help make positive change with the special education community. For more information, connect with SSEPAC Leadership, Co-Chairs Michele Lippens and Luciane DeToledo and Secretary Lianor Hillerstrom by email somervilleparentstogether@gmail.com, at Somerville Sepac on Facebook, or visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us/ssepac.
SERVE AND INSPIRE: VOLUNTEER
Ongoing
Somerville Family Learning Collaborative
What We Do
1. Prenatal-Early Childhood Services and Supports: Somerbaby Welcome Baby Bags, Home Visiting Program, Playgroups for Birth to 5 years, Developmental Screenings for Children 1 month to 5 years,
2. Student Enrollment and Registration: Student Registration, School Open Houses, School Tours
3. Family Engagement and Empowerment Linked to Learning: Parent / Guardian English Classes, School-Based Family and Community Liaisons, Parent Support Groups
4. Community Partnerships and Wraparound Services: Referrals and Resources, SPS Volunteers. Please note, the Clothing Closet is not currently open.
About Us
The Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) is the department of family and community engagement of the Somerville Public Schools. As a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant recipient, the Somerville Public Schools partners with the Department of Early Education and Care to provide a variety of resources, support services, and programs to help meet the needs of Somerville families in supporting their children's learning and well-being, birth to adulthood. SFLC By the Numbers. Take a look at this snapshot of the families and people we reached in 2018-2019 through SFLC programming. This report demonstrates the critical role of the SFLC team in supporting families between March and June 2020 during Covid-19. SFLC's role will continue to be central to supporting families throughout the pandemic. You can also read an overview of SFLC's work: SFLC Overview or watch a video overview of the SFLC and its services: https://vimeo.com/266775329