5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144

(617) 625-6600 x6676

www.somerville.k12.ma.us/pool

Location description: Kennedy Pool 5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144 To find the pool entrance from the front entrance of the Kennedy School (5 Cherry Street), simply keep walking towards the basketball court, at the end of the basketball court take a right and walk up the stairs, enter that door and walk all the way down the stairs to the Kennedy Pool. At intersection of Cherry St. and Elm St., near Porter Sq. in Cambridge; pool entrance is on Sartwell Avenue.

Wheelchair access: Yes.  Please call before going to the pool or when you arrive at the Kennedy School front door.

Staff languages: English

Staff qualifications: Staff holds American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid and AED certifications. Management holds additional certifications including CPO and Lifeguard Certification Training, Disease Prevention and more.

Payment: Payment for pool passes or swimming lessons is made by cash or check only.  Payment for family lap swimming and family swimming is made by cash only.  Payments must be paid in full, and all registrations must be made in person.

Adult Swim Programs - Swim Lessons, Water Aerobics & Arthritis Aquatics
Somerville YMCA
101 Highland Avenue, Somerville,   MA 02143
(617) 625-5050
www.somervilleymca.org 

Population targeted: Ages 18 and up
Program description: Swim lessons, water aerobics, and arthritis aquatics.   Programs meet 1-2 times per week for 8 weeks.   Several programs are held each year. Swim lessons are year-round.   Begin every 8 weeks.
Hours of operation:

Location description: On Highland, between School St. and Central St.; near City Hall
Wheelchair access: Limited
Staff languages: Mostly English; some speak Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish
Staff qualifications: First Aid/CPR certification and lifeguard certification
Associated costs: Please contact the YMCA for current information.
Scholarships/discounts: Some scholarships are available for adult memberships.

Adult Swim Lessons
Kennedy School
5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144
( 617) 625-6600 x6676

Population targeted: Ages 18 and up
Program description: Summer swim lessons for adults
Hours of operation:   

• Beginner: Monday 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM  
• Advanced Beginner: Wednesday 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM  
• Intermediate: Tuesday 5:00 - 5:45 PM

Location description: At intersection of Cherry St. and Elm St., near Porter Sq. in Cambridge; pool entrance is on Sartwell St.
Wheelchair access: Yes
Staff languages: English
Staff qualifications: Lifeguards are American Red Cross Lifeguard, Professional Rescuer with First Aid and CPR
Associated costs: Visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us/pool for current rate information.

Scholarships/discounts: Senior discounts available

Family Swim
Kennedy School
5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-6600 x6676 

Population targeted: Families, all ages and abilities
Program description: Play time in the pool.   Lap swimming is not allowed in the family swim area.   Water wheelchairs are available for use, but family members are responsible for all assistance and supervision as staff need to focus attention on entire pool activity. 
Hours of operation:

•  School year: Monday - Thursday: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM; Saturdays: 12:00 PM - 3:45 PM
•  Summer: Monday - Friday: 12:00 PM - 3:45 PM; Monday - Thursday: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM 

Location description: At intersection of Cherry St. and Elm St., near Porter Sq. in Cambridge; pool entrance is on Sartwell St.
Wheelchair access: Yes
Staff languages: English
Staff qualifications: Lifeguards are American Red Cross Lifeguard, Professional Rescuer with First Aid and CPR
Associated costs: $3 per adult per use; $1 per child per use (Somerville residents); $4 per adult per use; $ 2 per child per use (non-Somerville residents)
Scholarships/discounts: Senior discounts available

Lap Swim
Kennedy School
5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-6600 x6676 

Population targeted: Adults, ages 18 and upProgram description: Lap swimming for adults.   Program is open to both residents and non-residents of Somerville  
Hours of operation:

• School year: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:15 AM - 7:45 AM (Early Bird Swim); Monday - Thursday: 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM; Saturdays: 12:00 PM - 3:45 PM
• Summer: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:15 AM - 8:00 AM (Early Bird Swim); Monday - Fridays: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Monday - Thursdays 6:00 PM - 7:40 PM

Location description: At intersection of Cherry St. and Elm St., near Porter Sq. in Cambridge; pool entrance is on Sartwell St.
Wheelchair access: Yes
Staff languages: English
Staff qualifications: Lifeguards are American Red Cross Lifeguard, Professional Rescuer with First Aid and CPR
Associated costs: Early Bird Swims: $5 per Somerville resident per use; $6 per non-resident
All other times: $4 per Somerville resident per use; $5 per non-resident
Scholarships/discounts: Senior discounts available

Learn to Swim Program
Kennedy School
5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-6600 x6676 

Population targeted: Ages 4-14
Program description: The goal of this program is to teach young children how to swim, teach them about water safety and emergency procedures, and enable them to feel confident in the water.   Courses are taught at five different levels, ranging from beginner skills to competitive swimming skills.   School-year courses are 8 sessions long, either meeting on weekdays twice a week for 4 weeks, or on Saturdays for 8 weeks.   Summer courses run as week-long sessions.
Hours of operation:

• School year sessions: Mondays & Wednesdays: 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM; Tuesdays & Thursdays: 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM; 4:40 - 5:00 PM (level 1 only); Saturdays: Classes start at 10:15 AM & 11:15 AM  
• Summer sessions:   Monday - Friday: mornings (all levels); Monday - Friday: evenings (beginner levels only)

Location description: At intersection of Cherry St. and Elm St., near Porter Sq. in Cambridge; pool entrance is on Sartwell St.
Wheelchair access: Yes
Staff languages: English
Staff qualifications: Lifeguards are American Red Cross Lifeguard, Professional Rescuer with First Aid and CPR
Associated costs: $50 per course (resident) (5-8 sessions depending on the season), $65 per course (non-resident), $45 per course during summer (resident), $55 per course during summer (non-resident)

Open Swim / Lap Swim
Somerville YMCA
101 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 625-5050
www.somervilleymca.org

Population targeted: All ages
Program description: Open swimming and lap swimming for youth, adults, and families.   Participants need to either be regular members or purchase day passes.  
Hours of operation:

• For Youth (ages 6-13):   Open swim Mon., Wed., Fri.: 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM; Summer Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM; School Vacations/Early Release Wednesdays:   Monday- Thursday 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM 
• For Youth (ages 14-17): Lap swim Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM; Summer Monday-Friday 6:00 - 7:00 PM 
• For Adults (ages 18+): Lap swim Monday - Friday: 6:30 AM - 9:00 AM; 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM; Monday, Wednesday, Friday 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM; Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Saturdays 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM; 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM; Sundays: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM 
• For Families: Open swim Friday: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Sundays: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location description: On Highland, between School St. and Central St.; near City Hall
Wheelchair access: Limited
Staff languages: Mostly English, some speak Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Spanish
Staff qualifications: Certified lifeguards, First Aid/CPR certification
Associated costs: Contact the YMCA or visit their website for current rate information. See Club Membership in the Aerobics/ Fitness Clubs/Yoga section for full listing of membership costs.
Scholarships/discounts: Membership scholarships are available for adults.

Water Aerobics
Kennedy School
5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-6600 x6676 

Population targeted: Ages 18 and up

Program description: Water aerobics program for adults, involving low to medium impact exercises.   Courses are 9 weeks long, with 15-18 sessions per course.   Summer sessions are 8 weeks long.

Hours of operation:

•  Mondays & Wednesdays (deep water): 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
• Tuesdays & Thursdays (shallow water): 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
• Tuesday $ Thursday (advanced deep water) 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM 
• Saturday (deep water) 9:00 AM -10:00 AM 
• Summer:   Tuesday/Thursday - shallow: 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM; deep: 6:45 PM - 7:45 PM

Location description: At intersection of Cherry St. and Elm St., near Porter Sq. in Cambridge; pool entrance is on Sartwell St.
Wheelchair access: Yes
Staff languages: English
Staff qualifications: Certified lifeguards and water safety instructors, with First Aid/CPR
Associated costs: $80 per course (15-18 sessions depending on the season); Summer: residents $45, non-residents $55
Scholarships/discounts: Assistance is a possibility on a case by case basis.   Senior discounts also available.

Water Babies and Adult Lessons
Kennedy School
 5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-6600 x6676   

Population targeted: With children from infancy up to age 4
Program description: Water babies is meant to expose infants and toddlers to being in the water, and teaches the most basic of water skills. Courses are run periodically throughout the school year.  
Hours of operation: Monday and Wednesday, morning and evening classes
Location description: At intersection of Cherry St. and Elm St., pool entrance is on Sartwell St.
Wheelchair access: Yes
Staff languages: English
Staff qualifications: Certified lifeguards and water safety instructors, with First Aid/CPR
Associated costs: 6 classes/session: residents $45, non-residents $55
Scholarships/discounts: Assistance is a possibility on a case by case basis

"Y" Swim Lessons for Children
Somerville YMCA
101 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 625-5050
www.somervilleymca.org

Population targeted: Ages 1-13
Program description: Classes emphasize learning how to swim, safety awareness, and character development.   There are separate swimming classes for different age groups.   Age categories are as follows: parent & child (for children ages 1-3), pre-school (ages 3-5), and youth (ages 6-13). In addition to age categories, lessons are also broken down into appropriate skill level groups.   Classes run year round and are broken into several sessions.   Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions are 8 weeks long.   Classes meet 1-2 times per week.
Hours of operation: Varies depending on age and skill level
Location description: On Highland, between School St. and Central St.; near City Hall
Wheelchair access: Limited
Staff languages: Mostly English, some speak Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Spanish
Staff qualifications: First Aid/CPR certification, and lifeguard certification
Associated costs: Parent & Child lessons:   $37; Pre-School lessons:   $37-45; Youth lessons (ages 6-13): 1 class per week is free for members; Membership is $50 per year, and scholarships are available.   Non-member price for youth swimming lessons is $50.
Scholarships/discounts: Scholarships are available for youth memberships, and Harvard Pilgrim members receive a 20% discount on membership

Acknowledgements

The production of this guide was a joint effort of the Somerville Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC) and Shape Up Somerville.

The Somerville Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC), founded in 1986, is a coalition representing a broad range of early childhood, health, and social service programs in Somerville. It serves as a policy-making and networking organization to build a system of early care and education in Somerville. Parents and representatives of local organizations are encouraged to participate in monthly meetings. For more information please call Somerville Public Schools at 617-625-6600 x6966.

Shape Up Somerville is a city wide campaign to increase daily physical activity and healthy eating through programming, physical infrastructure improvements, and policy work.  The campaign targets all segments of our community, including schools, city government, civic organizations, community groups, businesses, and other people who live, work, and play in Somerville.  For more information please call Shape Up Somerville at 617-625-6600 x2414.

Special thanks to the Somerville Public Schools, the Somerville Community Partnerships for Children, The Shape Up Somerville Taskforce, Nomi Davidson, Lisa Brukilacchio, Donna Callahan, Nicole Rioles, Nancy Holmes, Pamela Holmes, Kelly McCarthy, and Chuck Gerlach for their work to compile this information. Guide production was supported by the: United States Department of Education Readiness and Emergency Management in Schools Grant, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Quality Full Day Kindergarten Grant, Cambridge Health Alliance Community Affairs Department, The Shape Up Somerville Taskforce, the Somerville Health Department, Somerville Recreation Commission.

Thanks also to the 2010 Somerville School Committee:

• Chair, Ward 5, Mark Niedergang
• Vice-Chair, Ward 3, Adam Sweeting
• Ward 1, Maureen Bastardi
• Ward 2, M. Teresa Cardoso
• Ward 4, Christine Rafal
• Ward 6, Paul Bockelman
• Ward 7, Mary Jo Rossetti

Ex-officio members

• Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone
• Alderman John M. Connelly

Secretary to the School Committee

• Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi