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!

Volunteer to offer child care for families during parent-teacher conferences or during SFLC trainings or workshops.  Late afternoon/evenings, one-time events. 

Somerville High School Volunteers support students in mathematics, sciences, writing, study skills or meet weekly for regular check-ins. 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).

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 for individual tutoring, paired with the same students for once or more weekly literacy interventions.  Serve 45 minutes/week or more as available.

Somerville High School’s First Gen Mentoring Program pairs first generation college-going juniors with a community mentor for the college application process. Mentors should have cultural competency, the ability to connect well with young people, have experience with the college application process, strong communication skills, and be able to meet for monthly group meetings. Some evening hours. Training provided, facilitated by the SHS College and Career Readiness team.

What students do outside of the school day matters. Come share a passion or support an after school club for an hour a week.  Help run an enrichment activity, volunteer to teach a skill you’d like to offer: music, yoga, hip hop, Zumba, knitting, chess, debate, visual or theater arts, STEM or outdoor explorations. Elementary grades PK-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 welcomed to assist during classes, or as mentors with the SHS FIRST Robotics team.  Contact: SHS Robotics Team Mentor Laura Peters.

El Sistema Somerville is a daily after school music mentoring program at the East Somerville Community School. Volunteers may serve any time 3pm-5pm to help with music instruction and performance practice, homework help or tutoring. Grades 3-8. Contact: Program Coordinator Rosalyn Taylor. 

Somerville Public Schools has welcomed, screened and matched therapy dog teams to serve in our schools since 2012.  Certified therapy dog teams are matched by request with educators or counselors for small group or individual sessions, classroom visits, or for serving as Reading Partners. Teams also may serve for staff wellness visits or special school-based events.   Certified teams serve once weekly or bi-monthly with the same classroom or student(s) and are provided safe, quiet spaces to meet.

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.

Come engage with students before heading to work.  East Somerville Community School PTA seeks volunteers 7:30am-8:10am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays to help with homework, play board games, and more. Open to ESCS Grades K-8 and families. Experience working with youth and English language learners is helpful.  Contact: East Somerville PTA.

Each month SPS teams up with Food For Free to offer free food markets at East Somerville Community, Healey and West Somerville Neighborhood Schools.  Volunteers help markets run smoothly. The ability to lift 50 lbs. is helpful.  For dates, times and sites: Sign up here.

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.

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.