Greetings CPS Community!
I hope you had a restful weekend…it’s hard to believe it’s October!
It’s National Principals Month. I want to recognize our wonderful Principals who lead our schools every day with positivity, intent, and compassion. We are so fortunate to have you. Thank you for all you do on behalf of our students.
There is a lot of work happening in our schools and across the district to ensure that each and everyone of our students has a rigorous and engaging learning experience. Each year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) releases school, district, and student data related to performance on the MCAS assessment, which is given in the spring. Families of students in grades 3-8, 9, and 10 will receive a copy of your student’s results with an explanation of what this data means. This is a small snapshot of how your student is performing. We use various data to determine the full performance level of students. Please feel free to contact your teacher and school administrator with specific questions about your student’s performance and your school’s performance. My team and I will be presenting to the School Committee in a few weeks about the district’s performance and progress.
We have received several questions about our school safety protocols. Please keep an eye out for additional information later this week about where we are in the review of our protocols.
As a reminder, schools and our administrative offices will be closed on Wednesday in observance of Yom Kippur.
Make it Great!
Dr. Victoria L. Greer
Headlines
3-Year-Old Preschool Lottery Now Open!
Apply online for a chance to enroll in September 2023!
Testing and Masking Following Indigenous People’s Day Long Weekend
We continue to emphasize that personal responsibility is also key in minimizing COVID-19 and its impact on our communities. As we have done following “high-risk” times, we ask that every student and staff member take a rapid test before school on Tuesday, October 11.
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If positive or negative but have symptoms, please stay home and notify the school.
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If negative and do not have symptoms, we will see you at school.
In addition, we, along with the Cambridge Public Health Department, strongly recommend masking at school through Friday, October 14, particularly if an individual traveled or attended a large indoor gathering over the long weekend.
What Else We’re Celebrating this Month
Indigenous People’s Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to honor the contributions that Indigenous peoples have made throughout history. In addition, it is an opportunity to acknowledge the violence, displacement, assimilation, and discrimination that Indigenous communities have faced and continue to face today. People have been advocating for celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day for decades (e.g. it was first introduced during a United Nations conference in 1977), to replace Columbus Day. Last year, President Joe Biden became the first president to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day by issuing a proclamation.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated the second Monday of October and will be celebrated on Monday, October 10 this year. However, it is important to clarify that it is not a federal holiday yet and, therefore, in some cities or states, it is not celebrated nor has it replaced Columbus Day.
Cambridge has been celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day since 2016. Please visit cambridgema.gov for a list of the events celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Cambridge. You can also learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day by visiting theNational Museum of the American Indian.
Affordable Connectivity Program: Access to Internet
The recently created Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps connect eligible families to affordable internet service.
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Monthly discount of up to $30 for internet
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One-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
All households with a child who was approved to receive free or reduced price school mealsare eligible. Students who attend schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) are also eligible for the ACP. Our schools include:
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Cambridge Street, Putnam Avenue, Rindge Avenue, and Vassal Lane Upper Schools
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Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
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Fletcher Maynard Academy
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Kennedy-Longfellow School
You can learn more about the program, including eligibility and enrollment information by visitingwww.fcc.gov/ACPor by calling 877.384.2575.
Upcoming Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinics
The Cambridge Public Health Department is hosting free flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the Cambridge community. Seasonal flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines, including the booster, will be available. We continue to strongly recommend that all eligible individuals stay up-to-date with their vaccination and boosters for the best protection against COVID.
**Please note that VaxAbilities will host disability-friendly clinics on Wednesday, October 19 and Wednesday, November 16.Additional staff will be at these clinics to provide skilled support to individuals with disabilities and sensory support needs.**
To make an appointment and for more information, including dates and locations, visit their website.
Featured Events
Experience the Magic of the Northern Lights in Cambridge!
The headline event of next month’s Cambridge Science Festival 2022 is BOREALIS, a breath-taking light and sound installation, recreating the magic and wonder of the Northern Lights in the night sky above Kendall Square. FREE ADMISSION!
Thursday, October 6 – Sunday, October 9 | 8 – 11PM (292 Main Street)
Creating Connections Community Fair
This interfaith-based event brings together members of Cambridge’s faith-based organizations and the police to hear concerns, address questions, and identify how we can all work together to better improve our community. There will be free food, music, a bounce house, and other family-friendly activities.
Questions? Contact Jeremy Warnick, Director of Communications for the Cambridge Police Department, at [email protected] or 617.349.3237.
Saturday, October 8 | 11AM - 2PM (Joan Lorentz Park- Outside the Cambridge Main Library located at 449 Broadway)
Caregiver Equity Summit
Our Caregiver Equity Summit will be held in December! Come Learn, Connect, and Reflect with families as we identify what equity sounds like, looks like, and feels like to caregivers in the Cambridge Public Schools community. There will be workshops, music, food, and much more! Exact date and location will be coming soon! Interested in getting more information? Sign up here
Tobin Montessori 5th Grader’s Art Displayed in City
Tobin Montessori 5th grade student, Ofelia, was one of the winners of the Cambridge City Nature Art Challenge, which was held in May. Ofelia won a gift card, but the best gift was to see a poster of her winning art in an ice cream store in Cambridge!
Mark Your Calendar
Wednesday, October 5 | Yom Kippur (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Monday, October 10 | Indigenous Peoples Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Wednesday, October 19 | Early Release Day (JK-8)
Tuesday, November 8 | Election Day - Staff Professional Learning Day (No School)
Friday, November 11 | Veterans Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Wednesday, November 16 | Early Release Day (JK-8)
Wednesday, November 23 | Early Release Day (All Grades)
Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 | Thanksgiving Break
Key Resources