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. Please visit Coronavirus Information and Prevention, Somerville Public Schools for updated school information, and sign up for City of Somerville alerts here.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 four months.

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More Ways to Serve Families, Winter 2020-21

Winter Coats/Clothing Drive

Help make the winter months a little warmer by donating gently used or new winter coats, boots or clothing for Somerville families.

To make a donation and to schedule a pickup of your donation contact SFLC Basic Needs Liaison Francia Reyes: FReyes@k12.somerville.ma.us.

Volunteers available for pickup and deliveries contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.

If preferred you can purchase a gift card from a wish list established for Somerville families: Amazon Wishlist; Target Wishlist.

Diaper Distribution Days

Volunteers distribute free diapers every Wednesday to more than 100 Somerville families.

Volunteer to distribute or make home deliveries to quarantined families, or help pick up bulk donations.

Safe, outdoor, contactless volunteering.

Donations of diapers accepted, or make a donation by purchasing diapers here. To volunteer contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.

Food Services Support

SPS Food Services staff serve more than 5,000 meals every week to students outside of 8 district schools.
Let's give these staff a well-deserved winter break!
Backup volunteers needed to provide packaged meals 9am-11am on Wed Feb 17 and Fri Feb 19.

Safe, outdoor, contactless volunteering. JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us for further details.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING

COVID-19: How to Donate and Volunteer. City of Somerville resources and emerging basic needs.

Somerville Cares Fund is a collaboration with the City of Somerville and the United Way created to support essential needs of Somerville community members most impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will provide emergency funding to all Somerville residents, regardless of immigration status, as well as all Somerville workers, including those recently laid off from their jobs.

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. Project SOUP seeking drivers with access to large cargo capacity vehicles to assist with supplemental food pick ups from Greater Boston Food Bank. Pick up times vary weekly. Contact Ben Wyner for details.

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.