Volunteering

Whether you have an hour a week or an hour a month, volunteering your time and support can make a meaningful difference in the life of a student. There are many ways to get involved, including mentoring an immigrant youth, working one-on-one with a student to support academic growth or social-emotional development, assisting with a school-based afterschool program, supporting students during classroom literacy or math blocks, and connecting with families and students through school events, resource access, distribution efforts, and more.

We appreciate your willingness to share your time, talents, and experience with our students and schools.

Direct all volunteering inquiries to SPS Volunteer Coordinator Jen Capuano. She can be reached via email at jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us or by phone at 617-625-6600 x6023.  

Work with multilingual students to support literacy, conversation, writing, mathematics, sciences and more.  Classroom setting or 1:1, Grades PK through Grade 12.  Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian Creole and multicultural competency and experience preferred. Multilingual volunteers and those with experience working with newcomers/adults are also welcome!

Offer support in special education classrooms or programs during the school day. Volunteers may serve alongside staff in monitoring small group work, supporting independent reading, or engaging in other activities.

Boost literacy skills and foster a love of reading when working with Grades PK-3 students. Volunteers serve during literacy blocks in a classroom or offer individual tutoring once or more weekly.

Offer 1:1 or small group tutoring to enhance student learning in mathematics, especially in Grades 6-12. Volunteers may serve before, during, or after school hours. Serve 1 hour per week or more as available.

Volunteers support students in mathematics, sciences, writing, study skills, and more. Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian Creole and multicultural competency and experience especially welcomed. One-to-one tutoring and in-class opportunities, minimum requirement of one hour a week, school day and early afternoon availability preferred (7:55am-4:00pm).

Come share your passion and support SPS staff to offer after school clubs, tutoring, homework help, or music mentoring in El Sistema Somerville (include link when page is available) for an hour a week. Elementary Grades K-6. From 3:00-4:00pm or 4:00-5:00pm one afternoon a week.

Volunteers with mechanical or electrical engineering, computer programming experience and/or robotics skills are welcomed to assist as mentors with the SHS FIRST Robotics team and middle grades Somerville Robotics League. Contact SHS Robotics Team Mentor Laura Peters.

SCALE (Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences) supports adults ages 16 and older by providing literacy instruction, career and college readiness classes, and individualized guidance to help learners achieve their goals. ESOL classes are offered daily, with additional evening opportunities available. Volunteers with experience in adult education, mentoring, or working with English learners are especially encouraged to apply. Contact: Director of Continuing Education Joselyn Marte.

Volunteers support school events, chaperone field trips, help with SPS food markets, and much more. Connect with staff, families, students, and be a part of building a strong community!

Certified therapy dog teams are matched by request with educators or counselors for small group, individual sessions, or classroom visits. Teams may also serve at staff wellness visits or special school-based events.

New volunteers

To become a volunteer, complete the self-registration form and attend an in-person volunteer orientation, where you will submit the required CORI background check. Orientations are for individuals new to SPS who plan to volunteer regularly (at least one hour per week for three consecutive months). After your orientation and background check are complete, you will be contacted with volunteer opportunities that best match your interests, skills, experience, and availability.

  • Step 1:   Complete the Self-registration Form.   
  • Step 2:   Attend an in-person volunteer orientation where you will submit your CORI (required background check). CORI forms are provided at the volunteer orientation held for individuals new to SPS and wanting to serve regularly (at least one hour a week for at least three consecutive months).
  • Step 3:   Wait for your volunteer assignment. You will be contacted for opportunities that best match your interests, skills, experience and availability.  Placements are made according to requests received from educators, counselors and SPS personnel.  
  • Step 4: Confirm your assignment once you have received notification from the Volunteer Coordinator or school personnel.  Then, start volunteering!

SPS Parents/Caregivers:  You may also reach out to your School-Based Volunteer Coordinator, listed below. 

2026-2027 School-Based Volunteer Coordinators 

Returning volunteers

  • Step 1: Submit your CORI (required background check) for the current school year. Somerville Public Schools requires an approved CORI for each academic year.
  • Parent/guardian volunteers may submit CORIs through school’s main office when schools reopen. 
  • Returning volunteers weekly volunteers: If you have previously been approved through SPS, you may submit your CORI digitally by emailing jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us, submit in person at any Somerville Public School main office during school hours, or by appointment with the Volunteer Office.  Make sure to bring your photo ID (driver’s license, MA or REAL ID or passport).  
  • Step 2:  Weekly volunteers: share your availability with your school contact or with jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.  
  • Step 3:  Review SPS Volunteer Guidelines, confirm your start date, schedule and assignment, then, start volunteering!  

How to submit your CORI

  • Step 1: Complete the CORI Form  (CORI forms are also provided at every Somerville Public School main office and Volunteer Coordinator’s office). 
  • Step 2: Submit the CORI Form
    • Option 1: In-person
      • During school hours, submit your form to the main office of any Somerville Public School. For a list of schools located near you, click here.
      • If a weekly volunteer with a confirmed placement, make an appointment with Jen Capuano by emailing jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
      • Make sure to bring your photo ID (driver’s license, MA or REAL ID or passport).
    • Option 2: On-line, for returning volunteers only
      • Email CORI form to SPS Volunteer Coordinator jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
      • In the same email, include a scanned copy of your photo ID (driver’s license, MA or REAL ID or passport).
    • For more information about MA CORI regulation and your CORI rights, visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/cori-booklet/download. 

Voulunteer Orientation

During an orientation volunteers will: share their motivations for wanting to serve with SPS; their interests, skills and experience working with youth; review volunteer guidelines and best practices; submit their CORI (CORI form provided by SPS); learn about volunteer opportunities.   

Volunteers are encouraged to have been vaccinated for COVID-19, with the recommendation of having received at least one bivalent vaccine. 

Questions? Contact SPS/SFLC Volunteer Coordinator Jen Capuano  jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us /617-625-6600 x 6023.