Volunteering

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.

As we embark on new ways of teaching and learning, we will continue to update this site for ways you can serve. The safety and health of students, families, staff, volunteers and the community is of utmost importance to Somerville Public Schools. We recognize that many SPS volunteers are older adults and may be at more risk for COVID-19. There are ways you can impact your community while staying safe and social distancing. Please know that you are serving your community and keeping others healthy if you are limiting direct contact with others. Thank you for doing your part to curb the spread of COVID-19. Visit Coronavirus Information and Prevention, Somerville Public Schools for updated school information, and sign up for City of Somerville alerts here.

For information about vaccination for COVID-19 and estimated timeline, please visit: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/covid-19-vaccinations.

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.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Please note that for most academic support opportunities, a commitment of at least one hour per week for three consecutive months is required. This is not a comprehensive list, please reach out to JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us if you're looking to be matched for 1:1 tutoring or mentoring April through June. Check back here for Summer 2021 volunteer opportunities.

Remote Mathematics and Sciences, Somerville High School
Math (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Precalculus, Financial Math Data Analysis, Probability and Statistics)
Science Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science.
Volunteers serve remotely working 1:1 with a student, or for small break-out group support.

Virtual Study Hall, Somerville High School

Join a remote study hall and be matched with a student for 1:1 tutoring or homework support

Subjects in math, sciences, ESL support and more.

Morning and afternoon hours.

Mentoring
Volunteer to meet once weekly with a student remotely for check-ins, conversation, help with getting organized and honing executive function skills.
Volunteers are matched by teacher and/or counselor referral and with parent/guardian consent. Flexible hours and commitment for at least 1-2 hours per week for three months.

Elementary Classroom Aides and Tech Support
Join a remote elementary grades classroom to assist with classroom management, breakout sessions and technology.

One or more hours per week. Some knowledge of Zoom and Google classroom required.

Unidos Classroom Reading and Conversation
Join a remote classroom in a two-way Spanish/English immersion program for reading with students. One or more hours per week, Spanish fluency preferred.

Guest STEM Scientists

Bring on the Field Trips, Labs and STEM! Off-site field trips and in-person labs are OUT but scientists are IN! Come light the STEM spark and share (remotely) your work in biology, genetics, chemistry, technology and more.

Grades 7-12. One-time guest speaking, student Q&A.

________________________

More Ways to Serve, Spring 2021

Meals Delivery
Capuano Early Childhood Education Ctr PTA seeks volunteers to deliver Grab & Go school meals for Somerville families in need of food assistance.
School meals are picked up during SPS meal distribution times. One delivery per week commitment requested, volunteers responsible for own transportation, and be comfortable carrying full grocery bag.
All meals picked up and dropped off without direct contact. For further information or to sign up contact PTA coordinator Suzi Lee: capuanoschoolpta@gmail.com.

Meals Delivery
East Somerville Community School seeks volunteer to pick up and deliver Grab & Go school meals for ESCS family with 4 children. Wednesdays, any time 7:30am-9:30am. Contact ESCS Family and Community Liaison Jennifer Ochoa if you can help: JOchoa@k12.somerville.ma.us.

April Vacation Meals Distribution
Give our Food Services staff a well-deserved break! Volunteer to distribute meals during April Vacation week.
Wed, April 21 or Fri, April 23 from 9am-11am at an elementary school
Safe, outdoor, contactless volunteering. To volunteer contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.

Somerville Diaper Project: We have you Covered In collaboration with The Beautiful Stuff Project, Cradles to Crayons, City of Somerville CARES emergency funding and individual donors, free diapers have been distributed each Wednesday to 100-150 Somerville families by volunteers for more than a year. Volunteer to distribute weekly or 2x monthly. Safe, outdoor, contactless volunteering. Donations of diapers accepted, or make a donation by purchasing diapers here. To donate/drop off diapers or to volunteer contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.

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.