Greer Gazette: May 8, 2023

Greer Gazette: May 8, 2023
Posted on 05/08/2023

Greetings CPS Community…


While last Tuesday was Teacher Appreciation Day, today marks the start of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12)! Our educators are the key to making our schools great and we are grateful for their hard work every day. Our celebration of them continues with a video message from our principals. Scroll down to see it!


Math instruction has been a topic of both interest and concern amongst our educators and leaders as well as our families. Our Math Department has been listening and learning while using input and feedback from educators and families to develop a strategy for math instruction district-wide. I am pleased to have the opportunity to engage the School Committee in a Roundtable discussion about the newly adopted math curriculum and the teaching practice that will support us addressing the overall math achievement for our students and Algebra I instruction in the 8th grade. This is the beginning of the discussion about how we plan to continuously improve our approach to math instruction across all grade levels.


It is an exciting time of the school year as the weather is getting warmer and we are approaching the last several weeks of the school year that is filled with celebrations and achievements by our students and educators. I hope that you will find time to attend one of the many celebrations that will be starting over the next few weeks. When you see our students, give them a little encouragement as this time of the school year can be a challenge to remain focused and motivated. When you see an educator and Principal, thank them for all that they do each and everyday on behalf of our students and community.


Thank you for your continued support.


Make it Great!


Dr. Victoria L. Greer


Headlines


$22 Million City Program will Provide Monthly Cash Assistance




Last week, the city announced the launch of 
Rise Up Cambridgea multi-million dollar initiative to support families struggling financially. The $22 million program will provide$500 per month for 18 months to low-income families with children.Rise Up Cambridge is the only city-wide cash assistance program of its kind in the country.


To Qualify:

  • Households with at least one child age 21 or younger.

  • Households earning at or below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

  • Applications open Thursday, June 1!

  • To learn more, visit the City of Cambridge website.


Rise Up Cambridge is being funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and a collaboration between the Office of Mayor Siddiqui, Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, and the Cambridge Community Foundation.


Teacher Appreciation Week


This week, we recognize all that our educators do to improve the lives of our students. See our Principals’ 
video message to our teachers below!



In Case You Missed It: Watch Dr. Greer’s video message to teachers for Teacher Appreciation Day last Tuesday, May 2.





COVID Update



Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends Thursday


The Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will end this Thursday, May 11. We will share more information later this week regarding any changes to protocols and procedures in alignment with the City of Cambridge.


CPS Lifts COVID Vaccine Requirement for Sports/Extracurricular Activities for New School Year


Last week, the School Committee unanimously approved to end the vaccination requirement for students to participate in sports and extracurricular activities for the 2023-2024 school year.


The vaccination requirement was implemented in the fall of 2021 when community transmission of COVID was high. Members of the Health & Safety working group recognize that conditions have improved and immunity has increased because of the vaccination and having the disease. We, in alignment with the Cambridge Public Health Department, will continue to strongly encourage getting the vaccine and boosters.

Now Open: DHSP After School Programs Lottery




Are you looking for an after school program for your child to participate in beginning this fall?


The city’s Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) is accepting applications for the DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery.

Age Eligible
Childcare Afterschool Programs - Junior Kindergarten - 5th Graders
Community Schools Afterschool Programs - Junior Kindergarten - 5th Graders
Cambridge Youth Programs - 4th - 8th Graders
King Open Extended Day program - King Open School Students

Please note that all spots are filled through a lottery process.


Featured Events



Cambridge-Somerville Asian Festival

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a Traveling Exhibition of artists will be at theCambridge-Somerville Asian Festival on May 19-20. The event is hosted, in part, by Cambridge Families of Asian Descent with a grant from the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Part of the festival will include Cookies with the City Manager, Yi-An Huang.


Visual and Performing Arts Spring Events

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts invites you to an exciting spring season of music, dance, arts, and theater performances!


Happening this week:

  • Dance/Works

    • Friday, May 12 | 7PM

    • Saturday, May 13 | 7PM

  • Click here to see the full schedule of performances through the end of the school year.


City Charter Review Meeting

You can help improve representation, accountability, and public engagement in the City of Cambridge! The Cambridge Charter Review Committee wants to hear your ideas about how to improve our city government.

  • The first meeting is Tuesday, May 16 at 5:30PM at The Foundry (101 Rogers Street).

  • Find more public gathering topics and times, share your ideas, and sign up for updates here.

  • Questions? Email Anna at [email protected]





Family Science Pop-Up

Pre-K through 5th grade students and their families can take part in fun and creative science activities. These include nature drawing, an obstacle course, chalk art, giant bubbles, puzzles, and games!


Community Pride Day

LGBTQ+ community members and allies are invited to our 2nd annual Cambridge Community Pride Day at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. There will be:

  • A student panel, featuring guest speaker DiDi Delgado

  • Workshops for students in grades 6-12

  • Activities for parents, caregivers, and younger children, including a drag king storytime

  • When: Friday, June 2 | 3:30 - 6:30PM

  • Register and find more information on the event website.



Free Food Markets


All families are welcome to stop by our free, school-based food markets. They offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry items. Please bring your own bags.


Markets this month:

  • Wednesday, May 10

    • 2 - 3:30PM (Kennedy-Longfellow School and Vassal Lane Upper School)

    • 1:45 - 3PM (Fletcher Maynard Academy)

  • Tuesday, May 16

    • 1:30 - 3PM (Graham and Parks School)

  • Thursday, May 18

    • 3:15 - 4PM (Peabody School and Rindge Avenue Upper School)

  • Thursday, May 25

    • 3 - 4PM (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School and Putnam Ave Upper School)


See the full list of free food markets here.


CPS Hiring Corner

Cambridge Public Schools is seeking to hire talented education professionals for positions including Administrators, Teachers, Instructional Aides, and Substitutes for the 23-24 School Year!

Our recruitment team has attended several educator recruitment events including ones with theMassachusetts Educational Recruiting Consortium (MERC), Howard University, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Rochester Teacher Fair, the Greater Philadelphia Teacher Fair, Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education (MPDE), UMass Amherst and more.

We look forward to recruiting and hiring excellent educators to join our school communities this fall!


Educators Awarded Full Scholarships to Pursue Secondary Education


Thirty talented teachers and paraprofessionals were chosen for our 
Educator Pathway Program, which celebrates, grows, and cultivates CPS educators. Each educator received a full scholarship to pursue secondary education in English as a Second Language at Lesley University or Special Education at Cambridge College.


This week, we’re introducing you toTobin Montessori School Teacher Kyrone Beverly. Click on the questions below to hear Kyrone’s answers and on his name or picture to watch the full interview!




Educators & Cambridge Schools Volunteers Honored

Cambridge School Volunteers (CSV) recently honored two volunteers with Mack I. Davis II Awards and three CPS educators with the Kenneth S. Neal Award during a ceremony at the Cambridge Public Library.


In her address to volunteers and educators, Superintendent Greer shared her appreciation for program participants and noted CSV’s contributions to CRLS student success since the partnership began in 1978.


Mack I. Davis II Award Recipients:

  • Nived Kollanthara, first-year volunteer (pictured right below receiving flowers)

    • Recognized for his dedication to his Reading Buddy, “Joseph,” at Fletcher Maynard Academy (FMA).

  • Eliza Price, Ph.D. student at MIT (pictured left below holding flowers)

    • Recognized for her outstanding ability to connect with upper school students


Kenneth S. Neal Award Recipients

  • Jay Mahoney, Rindge Ave Upper School

  • Jackie Montminy, Cambridge Street Upper School

  • Annabelle Tarek, Putnam Ave Upper School


  • All three are 7th grade science teachers who collaborate with CSV to provide STEM mentorship to entire grade cohorts


Cultural Performance

Last month, students at theTobin Montessori School were treated to a beautiful performance that reflected Indian culture and appreciation for water. Students and staff were captivated by the entertainment. Watch a clip of the performance!



Sixth Grader Advances to State Science Fair
Congratulations to Rindge Avenue Upper School 6th grade student Peter Van Voorhis, who is advancing to the state level of the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair with his project “The Impact of Color on the Human Mind; An Exploration of Common Effects on Mood and Informational Processing”! Good luck, Peter, and kudos to all the Science Research Club members who worked hard on designing original research.

Celebrating CRLS Alumni

For the first time ever, CRLS graduates have made both the US Junior and Senior World Orienteering teams! Keegan Harkavy (Class of 2021) will compete in the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Romania from July 2-9. Isabel Bryant (Class of 2015) will compete in the World Orienteering Championships in Switzerland from July 11-16. Congratulations to Keegan and Isabel! We’ll be cheering them on in July!





Mark Your Calendar


Wednesday, May 17 
Early Release Day (JK-8 only)

Monday, May 29 | Memorial Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)

Wednesday, June 7 | Early Release (JK-5 only)

Thursday, June 8 | CRLS Graduation

Monday, June 19 | Juneteenth (No School & CPS Offices Closed)

Thursday, June 22 | Last Day of School and Early Release for All Grades

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