Serve and Inspire with Somerville Public Schools!
Welcome to Somerville Public Schools and thank you for your interest in volunteering! Why Volunteer? Volunteers in schools leads to greater student achievement and self-confidence, better attendance, improved conversation skills and social relationships, and stronger community connections. As a volunteer with Somerville Public Schools, you will work with students, educators, parents and guardians, and community volunteers to enrich and expand student learning. Whether you have an hour a week or an hour a month, we'll work to match you with a rewarding volunteer experience.
In-Person Volunteers: Somerville Public Schools has authorized in-person volunteering. Before serving in person, please review SPS In-Person Volunteers COVID Safety and Testing Protocols. Volunteers are tested weekly with staff and students for COVID-19.
Getting Started
NEW TO SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS? If interested in serving regularly please take a moment to self-register as an SPS Volunteer here. You will be contacted about next steps within two weeks.
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: Thank you for sharing your time and talents with SPS! Please remember to submit your CORI for the current school year. Returning volunteers: CORI requests accompanied by your photo ID may be submitted remotely through your school's main office or by contacting JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us. For information about MA CORI regulation and your CORI rights visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/cori-booklet/download.
Thank you for reviewing this Guide for procedures and best practices for serving with Somerville Public Schools.
SUMMER 2021: SERVE, ENGAGE, INSPIRE!
Welcome to a Summer of fun, rigor, recovery and rejuvenation with SPS! Programs below welcome volunteers for once weekly or more engagement. This is not a comprehensive list, reach out to JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us to share your availability and interests.
Summer Success at Somerville High School
July 6 through August 6
8:30am-12:40pm / 1pm-2:45pm
Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave
Do you love mathematics and do you love helping youth work through math challenges? Come help teens dig deeper in the new SHS digs! Work 1:1 or in small group for targeted, individualized math support for rising 9th through 12 graders. Includes fun enrichment opportunities like drumming, guitar, drama, theater and more. Mathematics: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus. Volunteer commitment desired: 1-2 sessions per week, M-F, 8:30am-12:40pm or 1pm-2:45pm. Program contacts: Patricia Murphy-Sheehy and Michael Morgan.
SPELL (Summer Partners for Language and Learning)
Grades 1-8
July 6 - August 6
7:30am-1:00pm
Argenziano School, 290 Washington St
Community Volunteers interested in serving with SPELL may support in the following areas.
General Academic: working with SPELL staff, support students' individualized literacy, reading, writing and conversation skills.
Enrichment Activities: Do you like to paint with watercolors? With kids? Enjoy getting your hands dirty digging and discovering in a garden? Bring your joyful self and passion for spontaneous moments of learning to offer any of the following activities: arts, crafts, dance, music, gardening, urban ag, cooking, STEM activity, literacy activity, yoga, therapy dog visit, cooperative games, outdoor games/recess games. Other ideas always welcomed, materials and staff support provided. Multilingual (Spanish or Portuguese) a plus but not required to volunteer. Commitment may be for one activity or weekly engagement. All activities live and in-person at Argenziano School.
Math Matters: Virtual Extended Summer Learning
July through August
Flexible Hours, Virtual
Volunteer Math Coaches work remotely with students remotely to build math skills and prepare for Fall 2021. Rising grades 5-12, by educator referral and open to qualifying students. Desired volunteer commitment: 1-2 sessions of 45 minutes per week, flexible scheduling. Contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
The Somerville Calculus Project (TCP)
July 6 through July 30
8:30am-12:30pm
East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St.
The Somerville Calculus Project (TCP) supports Black and Latinx students in grades 7-12 as they develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of mathematics. Once students are enrolled, the Calculus Project remains with students throughout high school, offering support in mathematics and a social support system. Now in its fourth year, The Calculus Project is enrolling up to 80 students for mathematics instruction, mentoring and STEAM hands-on projects. This program will be supported by Citizen Schools, 16 Somerville High School student Peer Mentors, Count Forward guest speakers, and volunteer mathematics tutors from the SPS Volunteer Program. BIPOC volunteers, community mentor volunteers with experience working with Black and Latinx youth preferred.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING
The Welcome Project seeks a community volunteer with web expertise to help manage and update their website. The Welcome Project is a local nonprofit working to strengthen the collective power of immigrant youth, adults and families to shape community process, programs and decision-making around schools, programs, government and institutions. Remote, flexible scheduling as your time allows. For more information or if interested please contact: Winki Chan (She/Her/Hers), Curriculum Design Associate, The Welcome Project: winki@welcomeproject.org or call 617-623-6633.
Project SOUP Community Food Center, 165 Broadway, Somerville Homeless Coalition Food pantry offers variety of foods to Somerville residents, including fresh produce, dairy and baked goods, frozen fish and meats, a variety of other shelf-stable foods, and basic needs Sign up for shifts any day M-F and weekends. Assist with set up of pantry, fill bags with groceries for pantry patrons, sort donations, restock shelves, or help break down and clean at end of day. Sign up here or email Alyssa aebel@shcinc.org.
Food For Free distributes free food to vulnerable families in Somerville and Cambridge. Contact Emma Stellman, Program Manager: emma@foodforfree.org or call 617-302-6874.
MAMAS (Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville) is an entirely volunteer-led resource connecting community needs with community resources. Join a working group, help distribute resources or work toward redistributing resouces for most vulnerable and at-risk community members.
Volunteer Spotlights
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