Winter Clothing Drive

The Somerville Family Learning Collaborative's (SFLC) has an Amazon wish list and a Target wish list to make donations to local families in need.

Welcome Somerville Families

COVID-19 Resources for Somerville Families: English, Spanish, Portuguese

Free meals and other food resources www.somerville.k12.ma.us/ReliefForFamilies

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.

January Calendar

Download the January Calendar

Somerville SEPAC Compensatory Services Workshop

December 3, 2020. Thursday, 7:00–8:00pm

Join the Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SSEPAC) for a virtual workshop presented by Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC). MAC will present on state special education guidance regarding COVID-19 compensatory services for students with disabilities. For more information and a link to join the virtual meeting, email somervilleparentstogether@gmail.com or visit Somerville SSEPAC on Facebook.

Taller de Educación Financiera

December 8, 2020. Tuesday, 7:30–9:00pm

Join other Somerville families in a workshop to learn and understand strategies to improve your finances and build a strong financial foundation. This workshop is presented in Spanish by Sophie Kulas and Alex Amaya from the National Campaign for Financial Literacy (NC4FL). The NC4FL helps families move from financial insecurity to financial independence. Please register here or email us.

SomerBaby

Ongoing

The SomerBaby program welcomes Somerville’s youngest residents and connects families to the many resources that Somerville has to offer, strengthening social and community connections and starting babies on a path of lifelong health and learning. SomerBaby will be offering contactless delivery of a SomerBaby Welcome Baby Bag and virtual visits through phone calls and video conferencing. Please call or email for more information:
English Contact: Rachel Wilensky 617-981-4382
Spanish Contact: Flor Apolaya 617-549-3455
Portuguese Contact: Maria Holz 617-549-1690

To sign up with a SomerBaby Home Visitor or to refer a family, please click
here.

Ages and Stages Developmental Screening

Ongoing, Remote

When should she start walking? He is so quiet- is that okay? Do you have questions about how your child is learning or developing skills? Ages and Stages offers a FREE online developmental screening tool for families with children between 1 month and 5 years old. An SFLC staff member will call or email you within two weeks after the completion of the ASQ with your child’s screening results and activities you can do to continue supporting their development. For more information or a paper copy of the screening tool for your child, please email or call (617) 625-6600 x6990. To complete the Ages and Stages Developmental Screening Questionnaire (ASQ) online, please click here.

The Somerville Community Growing Center

Tuesdays in December, 3:00–4:30pm

Saturdays in December, 12:00–2:00pm

Did you know you can visit the Growing Center twice a week during Open Hours? Volunteer hosts will open the garden every Tuesday, from 3:00 - 4:30 pm, and Saturday, from 12:00 - 2:00 pm, 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 offers 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

expand and enrich student learning and support Somerville families. Volunteers new to SPS can get started by visiting www.somerville.k12.ma.us/volunteer for current opportunities (most are remote), and contact Jen Capuano, SPS/SFLC Volunteer Coordinator at jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us. Educators and staff interested in volunteer support may reach out to their School-Based Volunteer Coordinator or school Principal.

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

Email, Call or Visit us

Director of the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative: Nomi Davidson. (617) 625-6600 x6966.

42 Prescott Street, Somerville, MA 02143. Enter through the Red Door.

Supported in part by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant recipient.