Good evening CPS Community:
I hope you were able to connect with your family and recharge during Thanksgiving Break. My hope is that we will finish off the 2024 year strong together.
As the new year approaches, coincidentally, so does budget planning for the upcoming school year. Our Chief Financial Officer, Ivy Washington and I invite you to participate in our upcoming budget engagement sessions. The first
Community Budget Meeting will be virtually via Zoom
this Wednesday, December 4 from 5:30 - 6:30PM. If you are unable to attend this week, I encourage you to attend our next meeting on
Wednesday, December 11 from 6 - 7PM at the Cambridge Street Upper School. In an effort to encourage participation, dinner, childcare, and transportation will be provided. We will offer additional engagement sessions in January, stay tuned for more information.
Reminder that our Student Registration Center will host an information session regarding the 2025-2026 Kindergarten Lottery process
this Saturday, December 7. Families with a child who will be five years old by August 31, 2025 are encouraged to attend and learn more below.
As I shared last week, our Office of Family and Community Engagement is hosting Toy Drive this year in partnership with Novartis. All donations will be distributed through The Spot. The
deadline to donate is Monday, December 16. Learn more below.
In this Issue:
- Registration for Winter Sports at CRLS Closes Tomorrow!
- School Committee Recap
- Upcoming Holiday Toy Drive With Family and Community Engagement
- Kindergarten Lottery Information Sessions
- Need Help with Heating Bills?
- Apply for Fuel Assistance
- Upcoming Events District & Community Resources
- The Bright Spot
Sincerely,
David Murphy
Interim Superintendent
Need to Know News
Planning for the 2025-2026 Budget
We will offer in-person and virtual community engagement/information sessions this budget season! Our first engagement opportunity will be this Wednesday, December 4. Our in-person session will be held on Wednesday, December 11. Students are welcome to participate as well!
The 2025-2026 budget aims to align resources to objectives and initiatives outlined in the CPS District Plan, which has been extended in the interim for school year 2025-2026.
Community Budget Meeting 1
Community Budget Meeting 2
- When: Wednesday, December 11 | 6 - 7 PM (Dinner will be served at 5:30PM)
- Where: Cambridge Street Upper School Multipurpose Room (850 Cambridge Street)
- Transportation and childcare are provided.
At these sessions, we will briefly review budget basics and the District Plan using the Budget 101 process developed by caregivers last year; attendees will share their thoughts on budget priorities with Administration. Your feedback is needed to fully inform budget priorities for the upcoming school year. We look forward to working with CPS staff, parents, caregivers, and Cambridge community members to develop a budget inclusive of our shared priorities and operational responsibilities.
Additional in-person and virtual information sessions on the school year 2025-2026 budget will take place in January.
Upcoming Holiday Toy Drive with Family and Community Engagement
The Office of Family and Community Engagement, in partnership with Novartis, is hosting a Toy Drive for this upcoming holiday season! Donations will be accepted starting Monday, December 2 - Monday, December 16.
We invite you to donate any unopened toys to support families. Simply visit our drop-off location to contribute. All donations will be distributed to families through The Spot.
- Drop-off Location: Cambridge Public Schools Lobby (135 Berkshire Street)
- Drop-off Times: Monday – Friday | 8AM - 4PM
Questions? Email Mia Ferej at [email protected].
Kindergarten Lottery Information Session
The Kindergarten Lottery for the 2025-2026 school year will open on January 2 and close on January 31.
All registrations must be fully completed, including all language testing to determine eligibility for Program Language Bonus points. To learn more, visit our website.
Information Session:
Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Fuel Assistance
Colder weather means higher heating bills. The Cambridge Fuel Assistance Program is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 season. The program helps residents pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30.
Learn more about how to qualify and fill out the application here.
School Year 2025-2026 Budget Engagement Sessions
Community Budget Meeting 1
Wednesday, December 4 | 5:30 - 6:30PM
Zoom: bit.ly/cps-budget-4dec
Review budget basics with district administrators and share your thoughts on the budget for school year 2025-2026!
Community Budget Meeting 2
Wednesday, December 11 | 6 -7PM
Cambridge Street Upper School Multipurpose Room (850 Cambridge Street)
Dinner will be served at 5:30PM. Childcare and Transportation will be provided.
Access pick-up details here.
Virtual Kindergarten Lottery Information Session 2
Saturday, December 7 | 10:30 - 11:30AM
Zoom:
http://bit.ly/cps-k-info2
Families with children who will be 5 years old by August 31, 2025 are encouraged to attend the upcoming
Kindergarten Lottery Informations Sessions. The lottery will open for registration January 2nd.
Community Social
Thursday, December 19 | 5:30 - 7:30PM
Cambridge Street Upper School Cafeteria (850 Cambridge Street)
Content Join CPS and our community partners for our December Community Social. Enjoy food, raffles, take home some swag, and celebrate the theme “Color Your World With Joy!”
In the Community
Winter Sing-Along
Thursday, December 12 | 6 - 7PM
New School of Music
(25 Lowell Street)
Join
New School of Music for an evening of song community, and cheer. Cider and snacks will be available.
District & Community Resources
Family Read-In at the MLK School
Last month the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. elementary school (MLK), held their second annual Family Read-In event. Families, students, and educators embraced the theme of “Reading Is A Super Power!” Shout out to our incredible staff who even dressed up as the Pigeon from the Pigeon book series and thank you to the families who were able to join this fun event. Happy reading!