From the Superintendent: December 2017 Update
Published on Dec 21, 2017 11:31

from the superintendent header - people at table
Wishing You a Joyous
& Restful Holiday Season


Dear CPS Community,


Ask any member of the Cambridge Public Schools about our core strengths and you will likely hear about the diversity of our community. The diversity of the CPS community is remarkable. Over seventy languages are spoken by CPS families, and over 1 in 4 of our students has a home language other than English. Our schools are made up of sixty percent students of color, and our religious pluralism is so rich that it has now been several years since we became the first school district in the country to observe a Muslim holiday in addition to the Jewish and Christian holidays on our school calendar.

When I write to wish our community of families and staff Happy Holidays, I really mean it. Whether you have been lighting a Hanukkah menorah this week, preparing for Christmas, or simply looking forward to some quiet time before the New Year, I hope you enjoy a restful and joy-filled winter break.

In our District Plan, we talk about the importance of the “whole child.” Research indicates that rest, reflection and self-care are crucial to living a productive and satisfying life. Within our schools, we are increasingly focused on supporting not only academic development but also our students’ social and emotional well-being.

In this newsletter, you will learn about new and growing Mindfulness education programs taking place in our schools. This resource teaches students and faculty the value of taking time to pause, breathe, and recharge. In the same way, I hope that the coming winter break provides you with a welcome respite from the usual pace of life. Have fun, rest, and enjoy the gifts of the season. I look forward to seeing you all in January.


Kenneth N. Salim, Ed.D.  

mindfulness classroom

Guest Teachers Build Mindful Schools

Over the last several years, mindfulness – the skill of bringing awareness to what is happening right now with curiosity and kindness – has been gaining a footing in CPS through grassroots efforts. Hear how guest teachers are helping to grow mindfulness in our schools
. Read on >>

students receive library cards

A Library Card for Every Kindergartener 
“How many books do you think you can check out from the library at one time?” asked Cambridge Public Library’s Amanda Gazin, Children’s Librarian for the Central Square Branch.


The Kindergarteners politely raised their hands. “Ten?” “Two!” “As many as you want to.” 

“The real answer,” Gazin said, “is one hundred library books. You can check out one hundred library books at one time. Although, I don’t recommend it!” 

Hear how Cambridge closed the opportunity gap by making sure every CPS Kindergartner could access their own library card! Learn more >>

Pariss Chandler

Resilient Coders at Amigos
Amigos School and CRLS Alum Pariss Chandler recently provided an inspiring "hour of code" event at her former elementary school. Thanks to a local program, Resilient Coders, Pariss discovered a passion for programming that led to a successful career in the tech industry.

She told the students, “With coding, you can build something from nothing. You can think of big ideas that solve real problems.”

Read the story at microsoft.com >>  stellar black hole

It's Not Rocket Science... it's Astrophysics
Cambridge Rindge and Latin students are among the first cohort in the country to benefit from a mentoring network developed in part by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. 

The Global SPHERE network provides an database of mentoring opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Cambridge students were among the first to use this online resource to connect with independent study opportunities supervised by researchers working at the cutting edge of their fields.

In an article posted by Smithsonian Insider, Program Director Dr. Or Graur explains, “It’s important for students to get to know real scientists with diverse backgrounds. This kind of mentoring makes it easier for students to see themselves as future scientists.”

Learn more about this exciting opportunity >>

crls entrance

Whiz Kids!
The high school Mathematics curriculum at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School includes several advanced course offerings, including Calculus, Computer Science, and Statistics. But, what about students who are ready for even more?

The Harvard Crimson recently interviewed CRLS Dean of Math Curriculum Jeff Gaglione and several of these math "whiz kids" for a feature story on the unique opportunity CPS students have to begin pursuing college-level math coursework at the Ivy League institution down the street from their high school.

Read on >>

boy reading

OUR VISION

Rigorous, Joyful, 
and Culturally 
Responsive Learning 
+ Personalized Support Builds Postsecondary Success and Engaged Community Members
About Our District Plan >>


In the Spotlight...

Schooltalk

WHAT WE'RE READING
CPS Administrators and Family Liaisons are studying and discussing an influential new work on building a culture of equity within schools. Would you like to join the discussion? Pick up a copy of Mica Pollock's Schooltalk: Rethinking What We Say About - And To - Students Every Day, or start with this excerpt from
Teaching Tolerance >>

K Lottery Kids

DON'T MISS THE KINDERGARTEN LOTTERY!
Do you have a child who will be 4 years old by March 31, 2018 or 5 years old by August 31, 2018?  

Register during the month of January to be included in the Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten assignment lottery.

Learn more about registration requirements and how the lottery works  on the Family Resource Center page >>

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

pinecone

No School: Winter Break 
December 25 - January 1

Inauguration & Organizational School Committee Meeting
January 1

School Committee Meeting
January 2

Jazz & Big Band Concert
January 10

Choral, Orchestra & Concert Band Concert
January 11 

No School: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 15

CALENDARS
Online Events Calendar >> 
Year-In-View Calendar >>
CRLS Year-In-View >>

Stay Connected

find it

FIND IT CAMBRIDGE
 
Seeking help with an issue you are facing? Or, just looking for things to do in Cambridge? Look no further than
www.finditcambridge.org!

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CPS MOBILE APP
 
Keep informed via our FREE mobile app! 
Details >>  
 

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SOCIAL MEDIA

CPS is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram!
See which schools and departments are on social media >> 

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Baldwin

CONTACT INFO
Email us!
Cambridge Public Schools
159 Thorndike St.
Cambridge, MA 02141
617.349.6400

 
www.cpsd.us
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