Your Questions and Our Answers about Elementary Afterschool Services

The Somerville Public Schools offers comprehensive afterschool services for youth in grades PK-8 in all of its elementary schools. Staff in the District are also regularly asked for information about other afterschool services available in the community. We invite you to browse this website, our afterschool program guide or to contact Somerville Community Schools to learn more about afterschool, holiday and school vacation services planned and managed by the Somerville Public Schools.

Questions
1)  Is there transportation available for my child?
2)  Will you give my child an afternoon snack?
3)  How can I be sure my child is safe during after-school time?
4)  My child has a disability. Can you accommodate this?
5)  How can I sign my child up for after-school services and when is registration?
6)  Can my child drop-in when I need extra help before I get home from work?
7)  What are the fees for services?
8)  Is there financial aid available?
9)  Is the schedule different for students in the pre-kindergarten program at the Capuano Center?
10)  Do you offer enrichment programming or day care during school vacation weeks? What about on staff professional development days when there are no classes?
11)  What other after-school and school vacation programs are available in Somerville?
12)  What other afterschool and out of school time opportunities are available for my child or teen?
13)  Where is the Community Schools office?
14)  I can't find an answer to my question here.
 
Answers
1)  Q Is there transportation available for my child?
A
Free bus transportation is only available for students in the SEIP program and students with open cases with the Department of Children and Families.
2)  Q Will you give my child an afternoon snack?
A
A healthy snack is provided by the award-winning Food Service Department to every registered child daily.
3)  Q How can I be sure my child is safe during after-school time?
A
After-school programs in the Somerville Public Schools follow the same safety policies and procedures which keep children safe during the school day. Programs also follow the safety guidelines of the Department of Early Education and Care. These include maintaining updated medical information, and emergency contact information for every child, providing staff training in CPR/First Aid, and allergy and asthma monitoring.
4)  Q My child has a disability. Can you accommodate this?
A
Tell us about your child’s special needs on your after-school enrollment form. The after-school team will talk with you and your child’s IEP team to ensure her/his needs are met within the best of our ability.
5)  Q How can I sign my child up for after-school services and when is registration?
A
Call or visit Somerville Community Schools or your child’s school to get an enrollment form and scholarship application information if required. Submit completed forms and any required payment to Somerville Community Schools to finish the enrollment for your child. Registration is required annually and starts as early as May in the previous school year. Registration is closed when site capacity is met.
6)  Q Can my child drop-in when I need extra help before I get home from work?
A
The Somerville After-school Program is not a drop-in program. The safety and success of our program requires advance enrollment and continuity of relationships between students and staff. The Boys and Girls Club of Middlesex County offers drop-in services at their Healey School and Union Square sites. Contact them at 617-628-4665 learn more.
7)  Q What are the fees for services?
A

The fees for most academic and other enrichment activities range are between $25 and $130 weekly. Free after-school services may include MCAS and other after-school tutoring, and intramural athletics as they are available.
8)  Q Is there financial aid available?
A
The Somerville Public Schools strives to ensure no child is prevented from benefitting from instructional and other programs offered in the schools. Scholarships and other financial aid may be available for students living in income-eligible families. Ask for a scholarship application when you enroll your child in the after-school program.
9)  Q Is the schedule different for students in the pre-kindergarten program at the Capuano Center?
A

The pre-school option begins at 1:40 and kindergarten at 2:30 PM. The program ends at 5:30 PM. Students must be 4 years of age before August 31. The cost for the Pre-School Afterschool Program, which runs from 1:40 PM -5:30 PM is $130.00 per week. The Kindergarten Afterschool Program, which runs from 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM is $120.00 per week.
10)  Q Do you offer enrichment programming or day care during school vacation weeks? What about on staff professional development days when there are no classes?
A

We offer full day programming during all school vacation weeks at the Kennedy School and a summer program for eight (8) weeks at the Healey School determined by the school year calendar. We also have three (3)  sites open from 8:00 AM -4:00 PM for any professional development days if needed where the school itself may be closed for day classes.  This year care will be provided if enrollment is sufficient enough to open a classroom on October 7 and November 8, the two Fall Staff Professional Development days where there is no school. 

 
11)  Q What other after-school and school vacation programs are available in Somerville?
A
The Somerville Living and Thriving Family Resource Guide offers information about learning and enrichment programs for youth and families of all ages. Call 3-1-1 or the Parent Information Center at 617-625-6600 x6960 to receive a copy. Download a PDF copy in the “About Us” section of www.somerville.k12.ma.us.
12)  Q What other afterschool and out of school time opportunities are available for my child or teen?
A

The District has collaborated with many community partners to produce the Living and Thriving Guide as a resource for helping you understand other options available to you and your family in the community. This document can be downloaded or browsed online.

The District depends on its community partners to provide information for the Living and Thriving Guide. If you have questions about afterschool resources offered by a community agency please contact the agency directly to learn more. We apologize in advance for any information that is outdated.

 
13)  Q Where is the Community Schools office?
A
Community Schools is located in the basement of the Tufts Administration Building, located at 167 Holland Street just outside of Davis Square. The formal mailing address for the main office is 167 Holland Street, Somerville MA 02144.
14)  Q I can't find an answer to my question here.
A

Please email your question to us and we'll do our best to answer it.