Greetings CPS Community!
Time is flying by very quickly, our spring vacation week is upon us and I hope that everyone takes a little time to rest and relax next week.
Last week was filled with a couple of firsts for us in CPS. I had the pleasure of kicking off the district planning process with our first student-led design group to draft the district’s mission, vision and core values. We hosted about twenty students from across the district in grades 5-12 for a full day of collaboration and design work for the district’s vision, mission and core values. I was so impressed by their ideas and candor.
CRLS also held its first “One School, One Story” readathon, where 75 students in grades 9-12 participated in a day-long event to select the CPS summer reading book. It was a fun-filled day full of reading and book discussions.
Beginning tomorrow, schools will be giving out a take home rapid test to every student and staff member. It is expected that the test will be taken on Sunday, April 24, the day before school reopens. If your child tests positive, please notify the school.
As a reminder, we will be closed on Monday, May 2 instead of Tuesday, May 3 in observance of Eid.
Thank you for your engagement and continued support. I hope you have a restful and peaceful April break.
Make it Great!
Dr. Victoria L. Greer
Superintendent
Student Choose Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
This summer, CRLS students and faculty will participate in a shared reading experience called One School, One Story. Students, teachers, administrators, coaches, everyone in the school community will all read the same book, a shift that will promote student agency, build literacy, and strengthen our community.
To decide this year’s book, 75 students in grades 9-12 participated in a 16-hour, disco-themed readathon. Starting at 8:00 am, students cycled through hours of reading, dancing, games, and discussion, until midnight when they voted for this year’s summer reading book: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.
During the summer, CPS will collaborate with the community to provide activities related to the book. In the fall, in-school events, lessons and/or workshops will align with the book’s themes.
Looking for Summer Opportunities?
Check out these interactive resources with a compilation of summer programs and opportunities for students in grades K-5 Summer Programs 2022 or 6-8 Middle School Summer Programs 2022.
At Home Testing: You Can Still Opt-In!
Students and staff members who opt in can rapid test at home weekly.
HIGHLIGHTS OF AT-HOME RAPID TESTING PLAN:
- ANY student or staff member can participate in the new at-home rapid testing program regardless of vaccination status.
- The testing program is VOLUNTARY. Opt-in through the CPS Family Portal.
- Individuals will receive a kit every 2 weeks; each kit will contain 2 tests and instructions for using the self-test.
For more information, visit www.cpsd.us/covid19/covidtesting.
COVID Updates
Following ongoing discussions with the Cambridge Public Health Department and the Health, Safety, and Facilities Working Group, we continue to review and update our COVID protocols to reflect current conditions. As updates are made, we will notify the CPS community in a timely manner.
**Please note that these updates are subject to further changes as conditions evolve.**
Prom
CPSstudents, staff, and chaperones, are required to be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption. Attendance capacity would adhere to the venue limit.
Water Fountains
Custodial staff began removing the plastic from water fountains last week. The water systems will be flushed and a cleaning routine will be reinstated.
Celebrations, Performances, Concerts
Attendees may participate in events such as celebrations, performances, and concerts as follows:
- Anyone attending should be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption. CPS will not require proof of vaccination and will assume the “honor system.”
- Full capacity in spring of 2022 with masks required regardless of vaccination status
- Guidance is subject to change depending on public health conditions
Building Access
Entry into buildings must continue to be managed.
1. Parents/caregivers may not enter the building without an appointment (e.g. dropoff or pickup), except in situations when notified by school.
2. Volunteers, guests, and parents/caregivers participating in classroom activities must have an appointment or be scheduled to enter the building.
- Individuals must be fully vaccinated, and beginning April 25, 2022, must be up-to-date according to CDC definitions. Proof of up-to-date vaccination must be provided upon entry.
- Individuals will be offered masks upon entry.
- Masks are required for volunteers, guests, and parents/caregivers in special settings with more vulnerable populations and those who are not eligible for vaccination: Special Start classroom, substantially separate classrooms, and preschool/JK classrooms.
Featured Events
Cambridge Community Iftar
Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui’s Office, the Cambridge Public Schools’ Muslim Affinity Committee, the City’s Employees’ Committee on Diversity and the Islamic Society of Boston will
host a community iftar. The event will take place at the Cambridge Street Upper School located at 850 Cambridge Street.
The iftar is the evening meal where Muslims break their fast after sunset during the Holy month of Ramadan. Stop by for a community meal, mingling and to learn more about this custom from our students and guest speakers. In addition, there will be a prayer area for the evening prayer (Magrib).
Wednesday, April 13 | 6:15PM
This event is free and all are welcome.
School Calendar
CPS 2021-22 School calendar
All Schools and Admin Offices Closed:
- Friday April 15 | Good Friday
- Monday, April 18 - Friday, April 22 | April Break (**Admin Offices Only Closed on Monday, April 18 for Patriot’s Day**)
- Monday, May 30 | Memorial Day
- Monday, June 20 | Juneteenth (Observed)
In Case You Missed It: Key Resources
2022-23 JK/K Lottery: Closed for the 2022-23 school year; If you are interested in registering your child, visit our registration webpagefor more information.
April Lunch Menu:Week 1 (April 4 - April 8)
COVID-19 Testing/At-Home Weekly Testing Forms: Log in to theFamily Portal
COVID-19 Testing & Quarantine Protocols
CPS Quarantine Instructional Guidelines for SY2021-22
Free Internet for Qualifying Families: Comcast’s Internet Essentials Program
Pictures of the Week
Superintendent's Student Design Group
RAUC Students @Mayor Siddiqui’s Student Art Contest
Rindge Avenue Upper School swept Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui's Women’s History Month
Student Art Contest with their incredible and inspiring work! Check out the billboard in front of City Hall! Congratulations to Vida, Jea and Nida…we are so proud of you!
PAUS Students and Families Participate in a Community Service Day!
Last week, about 75 students and caregivers from the Putnam Avenue school community met on a blustery Saturday morning to clean-up Magazine Beach Park! They collected garbage and swept and cleaned the Magazine Beach Building inside out.