Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, March 18 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Wednesday, March 19 | Staff Professional Learning Day (No School)
- Monday, March 31 | Eid al-Fitr (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Friday, April 18 | Good Friday (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Monday, April 21 - Friday, April 25 | April Break (No School & CPS Offices Closed on April 21)
In this Issue:
- Planning for the 2025-2026 Budget
- Upcoming Events
- District & Community Resources
- The Bright Spot
Need to Know News
Proposed 2025-2026 Budget
Last week Interim Superintendent David Murphy and Chief Finance Officer Ivy Washington delivered the 2025-2026 Proposed Budget.
You can watch the meeting here, and view the presentation here.
A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18.
MCAS Testing Starts March 24th
CPS students in grades 3-10 are preparing to participate in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). MCAS are tests that measure how well students are learning the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks based on expectations for each grade level.
Each year, students across Massachusetts take the MCAS starting in March. If you have a student preparing to take the MCAS, please be on the lookout for more information from the district this week.
The state’s schedule is as follows. Specific dates will be communicated by school leaders before testing begins.
Grades 3-5:
- ELA: 3/24 - 4/18
- Math and Science: 4/28 - 5/23
Grade 5 Only:
Grades 6-8:
- ELA: 3/24 - 4/18
- Math : 4/28 - 5/23
Grade 8 Only:
- Science: 4/28 - 5/23
- Civics: 4/28 - 6/6
Grade 9:
Grade 10:
- ELA: 3/25 - 3/26
- Math: 5/20 - 5/21
Resident Bike Lottery Program: Application Open
Need a new bike? Through the Cambridge Resident Bike Lottery, income-eligible residents can apply now through March 30th for a voucher to buy a new bicycle from a participating bike shop. Vouchers range from $800-$3,000 and will be awarded through a random lottery.
Applicants can apply for a pedal bike, e-bike, e-cargo bike, customized adaptive bicycles or electric wheelchair attachments are also an option. Learn more, and review applicant eligibility requirements, and APPLY here.
In the District
Young Artists Exhibit
Wednesday, March 5 - Friday, March 21
Multicultural Arts Center (41 Second Street)
Explore the artistic works of high school students in the upcoming
Young Artists Exhibition from March 5 - 21 at the Multicultural Arts Center. The gallery is closed Monday and open Tuesday - Friday from 10AM - 6PM.
Multicultural Night
Thursday, April 16 | 6 - 8:30PM
CRLS Main Cafe (459 Broadway Court)
CRLS’s student-led Cultural Visibility Team presents the second annual
Multicultural Night for the whole Cambridge Public Schools community! Join us for a night of cultural performances, food, and a whole lot more!
Registration for Multicultural Night is helpful but not required.
District Calendar
In the Community
Leprechaun Orienteering
Wednesday, March 19 | 5PM - 6:30PM
Kingsley Park, Fresh Pond Reservation (250 Fresh Pond Parkway)
Join Navigation Games for a
scavenger hunt in the park and complete challenges to unlock the next checkpoint. Be attentive, some “leprechauns” will be moving checkpoints as you explore.
Learn more and register here.
Participatory Budgeting Vote Results Party
Thursday, March 20 | 6 - 7:30PM
Cambridge City Hall (795 Massachusetts Avenue)
The 11th cycle of Participatory Budgeting (PB11) will be open March 6 -16,2025.
Join the City of Cambridge for the announcement of the winning
Participatory Budgeting projects! Food will be provided.
District & Community Resources
Voting in Participatory Budgeting RAUCS!
Students at the Rindge Avenue Upper School during “elections” for Participatory Budgeting
Last week the History and Social Science department partnered with the City of Cambridge Participatory Budgeting team (PB11) to help students cast their votes for what projects they would like to see funded in their community. High school students were also offered the opportunity to vote onsite at various polling locations around campus.