From the Superintendent: October 2018
Published on Oct 27, 2018 09:46

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Improving Learning & Professional Time

 

Dear CPS Community,

 

Last year, two important studies of Cambridge schools, the Elementary Program Review and the educator-driven Joint Labor-Management Task Force on Instructional and Professional Time, concluded that we need to rethink how time is used in Cambridge Public Schools. This is particularly true as we continue to work toward our District Plan goal of ensuring that educators and students engage in rigorous, joyful, and culturally responsive learning experiences.

Kids at CportTime alone isn't the answer - we know from research and experience that the amount of time is only as powerful as the quality of the learning experiences. The concerns we hear from educators, students, families, and out-of-school time partners point to the need to think creatively about how to make the most of our learning and professional time in school. We also know that school schedules need to respect and value time outside of school for family, enrichment, extracurricular and athletic opportunities, and work obligations.

I invite all members of the CPS community to engage with us as we continue to explore the challenges posed by time and innovative ways to address them. A series of collaborative study & design activities focused on use of time in grades K-8 are underway, and we are organizing multiple public sessions at which members of the community can join this discussion. Watch for more information soon, and check out a more detailed description of this work on the CPS website.

As always, we welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected] to share your ideas. I look forward to partnering with you all as we continue this conversation.

Sincerely,

Kenneth N. Salim

Students Outside

Get Involved: Building Equity Bridges

What are the root causes of educational inequity in Cambridge?Thanks to a grant from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, CPS educators, students, families and community members can come together to share experiences around this important issue. Learn more, and sign up to participate in upcoming focus groups on the Building Equity Bridges page.


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Hiring & Retaining Educators of Color

On September 25, Executive Director of Human Resources Barbara Allen and Director of Diversity Development Ramon de Jesus shared the positive impact that heightened recruiting and retention efforts have had on diversity in CPS. 

 

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Roundtable on Social Emotional Learning 

On October 9, Lead Teacher for Social Emotional Learning Alice Cohen, MSW presented an update on district practices in the area of Social Emotional Learning. Watch the School Committee Roundtable Presentation>>

King Open CSUS aerial view

Aerial Video of the King Open / CSUS Construction Project

Construction Company WT Rich recently posted a fly-over video of the full construction site! Check it out >>

View the latest updates on the King Open/CSUS project and the next planned construction project, at Tobin Montessori and VLUS on the Building Excitement page of our website!

 

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Lessons from the 2018 Family Survey

On October 2, CPS presented district-level results from the 2018 Family Survey. School leaders are in the midst of sharing survey data with their own school communities, and responses from families are helping to shape ongoing improvement efforts at the school and district level. 


EquityPage

Equity Updates Now Online

Are you wondering how Leveling Up relates to educational equity? Looking for more details on cultural proficiency training for educators and leaders? View the latest updates and more on our new equity page>>


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King/Putnam Avenue Building 
Earns LEED Platinum Rating

This summer, the City of Cambridge announced that the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. / Putnam Avenue Upper School building earned LEED Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This is the highest rating attainable in this category, which is based on best practices in sustainability and energy efficiency. Learn more on the City of Cambridge website or read news coverage of the achievement.


Find It Home

Looking for Afterschool Programs? 

Are you trying to find a sports league, fine arts program, afterschool childcare, tutoring, or adult education classes, senior services, or any other community-based program?  Look no further than Find It Cambridge, our community's one-stop source of information that families need. You can search hundreds of local listings by age, program type or neighborhood. Check it out at www.finditcambridge.org >>





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CPS DiSTRICT PLAN
Rigorous, Joyful, and Culturally Responsive Learning + Personalized Support Builds Postsecondary Success and Engaged Community Members

District Plan >>
Data Dashboard >>

Public Meetings
QUALITY LEARNING & PROFESSIONAL TIME 

Tuesday, November 13
6 - 8 PM at CRLS
School Committee Roundtable

Wednesday, December 5 
6 - 8 PM at Morse School
Public Forum

Thursday, January 10
6 - 8 PM at Kennedy-Longfellow School
Public Forum

Saturday, January 12
10 AM - Noon at
Graham & Parks School

Public Forum 

More Details>>

CRT Cover

What We're Reading...

District wide, educators, administrators, family liaisons and other members of the CPS community are studying Zaretta Hammond's influential work, Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain. Learn more >>


In the Spotlight...

Rachel Otty

HISTORY TEACHER AWARDED FULBRIGHT 
CRLS History Teacher Rachel Otty has been awarded a Fulbright by the Federal Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Just 76 educators from across the country are selected for this prestigious program. Please join us in wishing Ms. Otty heartfelt congratulations!

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
The Cambridge Chronicle covered the high cost of preschool in Massachusetts, and examined local efforts to increase access, affordability, and quality.

Read more in the
Cambridge Chronicle >>

Learn about the Birth to Third Grade Partnership >>



Lloyd Gaines

CRLS DOCUMENTARY
ON LLOYD L. GAINES

The Chronicle recently profiled a documentary on the investigation into the disappearance of Civil Rights Leader Lloyd L. Gaines by an 11th Grade Honors History class at CRLS. 
Read this fascinating story here >>

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EDUCATORS DESIGN LAB AT SXSW EDU

The Cambridge Educators Design Lab has been selected to present at the SXSW Edu conference taking place in March 2019 in Austin, TX.
Read more>>


Upcoming Events 

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION SESSIONS
October 26 at 10 AM
November 7 at 6 PM
Learn more >>

FAMILY LITERACY FUN DAY AT CITY HALL

Saturday, November 2
10:30 - 2:30 PM

Celebrate the joy of reading at this annual children's festival. View flyer>>

ADVANCED LEARNING ASSOCIATION (CALA)
Wednesday, November 7 
5:30 - 
7 PM
Learn more>>

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)

Thursday, November 16 
6 - 8 PM
Struggling Readers 
with Dr. Nadine Gaab 
Learn more>>

Important Dates

THREE-YEAR-OLD LOTTERY DEADLINE
October 31 is the deadline to apply for CPS's small preschool programs.
Learn more >>

ELEMENTARY EARLY RELEASE DAY

Tuesday, November 1

NO SCHOOL:
NOVEMBER 12

Veteran's Day

NO SCHOOL:
NOVEMBER 22-23

Thanksgiving Break

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

 
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