Bus Updates, Full-time in-person learning; FY22 Budget, COVID-19 Reminders

Bus Updates, Full-time in-person learning; FY22 Budget, COVID-19 Reminders
Posted on 03/29/2021

Dear CPS Community,

This has been another difficult week in our community, as news of senseless violence touched Cambridge and the CPS family. As we all continue to navigate these challenging times, I encourage you to reach out to your school if you need support.

Next week, many elementary and Amigos students will begin full-time, in-person learning, and upper school will do so on April 28. With more than 50 percent of our preK-8 students in-person learning next month, families should expect some changes to bus routes and meal pickup opportunities (see details below).

COVID TipsWe are proud of our partnership with the Cambridge Public Health Department that has positioned CPS as a leader in COVID-19 testing among Massachusetts schools with surveillance testing for students and staff in all grades. As the weather gets warmer and we approach another season of holidays and school break, we want to reiterate the importance of continuing to follow COVID-19 safety protocols and doing your part to keep our community safe.

The Office of Family Engagement is also launching a series of April listening sessions for Remote Learning Families to share feedback on their experience. See below for schedule and details.

The complex process of finalizing the FY22 budget continues. We want to thank the community members who shared their comments at last Thursday’s public budget hearing and for remaining involved in this important process. Tomorrow’s 6PM budget workshop will focus on the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and will include incoming interim Chief Equity Officer Manuel Fernandez and Director of Family Engagement Robin Harris.

See details below on:

  • Reminder: Updated Bus Routes Beginning April 5
  • Changes to Remote Meal Pickup Sites
  • April 1: COVID conversations - Amigos, Baldwin, Peabody, RAUC
  • April 7 - 14: Family Listening Sessions for Remote Learners
  • Register for 8th grade Algebra CAMbridge program
  • Interim Superintendent Search Update
  • Upcoming Meetings & Events

Sincerely,

Kenneth N. Salim, Ed.D.
Superintendent

1. Reminder: Updated Bus Routes Beginning April 5
Reminder to ALL elementary and upper school families about the message you received on March 26:

  • All CPS vehicles will operate with increased capacity, open windows, and masks required for all riders and bus staff.
  • Beginning April 5, students may share the seat with another student.
  • Bus routes are being updated to ridership across routes and avoid overcrowding.
  • Check the online CPS Bus Finder to confirm your bus information on April 3rd or 4th. This video provides a step by step on how to do that.

2. Change to Remote Meal Pickup Sites
The increase of in-person learners eating at school has significantly reduced the number of families picking up remote meals. Starting Monday, April 5th we will consolidate remote meal pickup sites and the following sites will no longer be offering remote meals at four sites Amigos, Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Graham & Parks, and Tobin. For the most up-to-date information on School Meals follow us on Twitter @CPSD_Nutrition or to find a meal site nearest you, click here.
Meal Locations

3. April 1: COVID Conversations for Amigos, Baldwin, Peabody, and RAUC
Parents and caregivers, particularly of our remote learners, are invited to join this virtual conversation about the safety measures CPS has in place related to COVID-19. This Q&A session will be run by the Cambridge Health Department and is open to parents and caregivers of students from the Amigos, Baldwin, Peabody, and Rindge Ave Upper School.
Register here >>

4. April 7 - 14: Remote Learning Family Listening Sessions
Join Director of Family Engagement Robin Harris to share your experience in remote learning. Register here >>
Listening Sessions

5. Register for 8th grade Algebra CAMbridge program
LogoThe 8th grade Algebra CAMBridge Program (Comprehensive Algebra Modules), offers all 8th grade CPS students the opportunity to demonstrate their mathematical understanding and deepen their confidence in 8th grade and Algebra 1 concepts.

The 8th grade Algebra CAMBridge Program consists of online self-paced (problem-based) modular learning opportunities, in conjunction with synchronous check-ins with CPS Educators.

Through this program, CPS is providing families with an informed and evidence-based recommendation for High School Mathematics Class placement for their student’s freshman year at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School.

Sign up here to receive more information.

6. Interim Superintendent Search Update
The School Committee has announced three finalists to serve as Interim Superintendent for the 2021-2022 school year. They are:

  • Dr Victoria Greer, Superintendent of Schools, Sharon Public Schools
  • Dr. Monica Hanson, Interim Superintendent of Schools, New Hampshire School Administrative Unit #44
  • Dr. Brian Metcalf, Chief Executive Officer, Tindley Accelerated Schools

We invite you to tune in for Virtual Candidate Forums which will be held April 8th on Zoom from 5PM-8PM. Members of the community can watch the forums live on Zoom or watch recordings on the website or CEA-TV, Channel 99 afterwards. Details here.

7. Upcoming Meetings & Events

  • March 30 | 6PM: School Committee, Budget Workshop
  • April 1 | 6PM: COVID Conversations for Amigos, Baldwin, Peabody, and RAUC (Register)
  • April 5 | Elementary schools and Amigos launch full-time, in-person learning
  • April 6 | 6PM: School Committee, Regular Meeting
  • April 7 | 6PM: Grades 6-8 | Remote Learner Family Listening Session (Register)
  • April 7 | 7PM: High School | Remote Learner Family Listening Session (Register)
  • April 7 | 8PM: Middle & High School | Remote Learner Family Listening Session (Register)
  • April 8 | 5 - 8pm: Interim Superintendent Search: Virtual Candidate Forum
  • April 8 | 6PM: Special Start - Grade 2 | Remote Learner Family Listening Session (Register)
  • April 8 | 7PM: Families of Color | Remote Learner Family Listening Session (Register)
  • April 10 | 11AM: All Learners | Remote Learner Family Listening Session (Register)
  • April 12 | 6PM: Spanish Speakers | Remote Learner Family Listening Session (Register)
  • April 12 | 7PM: Families of Asian Descent | Remote Learner Family Listening Session (Register)
  • April 15 | 7PM: Cambridge Families of Asian Descent (CFAD)
  • April 28 | Upper Schools launch full-time, in-person learning
  • May 19 | 10AM - 2PM: Together We RISE, A Virtual Conference for Allston, Brighton, and Cambridge High School Sophomores & Juniors, sponsored by the Harvard Ed Portal and the Harvard Public School Partnerships team. CRLS alum, Mohammed Uddin, CRLS ‘15, UMass Boston BA ‘19, MPA ‘20, will be a featured guest speaker.
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