Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, May 6 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Tuesday, May 20 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Monday, May 26 | Memorial Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Thursday, June 19 | Juneteenth (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Tuesday, June 24 | Last Day of School for All Grades (4-Hour School Day)
In this Issue
-
What We’re Celebrating
- District and School Culture Survey Coming Next Monday
- Apply for Next Year’s DHSP Afterschool Programs by May 11
- Summer Jobs for Teens
- 2025-2026 School Year Calendar Now Available
- Upcoming Events
- District & Community Resources
- The Bright Spot
What We are Celebrating
National Teacher Appreciation Week!
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9. Help us celebrate our educators by submitting a note of recognition to be shared on our district social media pages next week! Recognize a CPS educator using the form here: English | አማርኛ | عربي | বাংলা | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Español.
During Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we honor the contributions of over 50 unique ethnic groups who speak more than 100 different languages. May was selected as AANHPI Heritage Month since the first record of Japanese Americans migrating to the US was in May of 1843. The first transcontinental railroad was completed in May of 1869, and many of the laborers who built it were Chinese American. Today, more than 7% of Americans are AANHPI.
Looking for a way to celebrate? Check out the Cambridge-Somerville Asian Festival on Saturday, May 24 in our events section down below!
Jewish American Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and experiences of Jewish Americans in our nation's history and culture. Just a few notable Jewish Americans include composer and songwriter, Irving Berlin, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was the first Jewish woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, however we also honor and recognize the contributions and experiences of all of our Jewish friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans. Today, Jewish Americans account for an estimated 2.4% of the U.S. population - or about 7.6 million people.
Explore the national archives, and learn more about Jewish American contributions, history, and shared legacies here.
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Physical activity is not only great for physical health but also for social and emotional growth. Sports teach values such as teamwork and how to handle adversity. We are grateful for the work our Health, Physical Education and Wellness department and coaches do to teach our youth the importance of being healthy and active! Whether it’s a walk, run, or another activity, find joy in movement this May!
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being. Positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development.
The City of Cambridge and community partners are hosting multiple Mental Health Awareness events this month such as a Mental Health First Aid Training, a Building a Caring Community Panel, and a Youth Mental Health First Aid Training.
As a district, we are committed to supporting the social, emotional, and mental health needs of our students, families, and staff by promoting positive mental health in our classrooms and connecting our school community with various resources, including:
Please reach out to a social worker at your student’s school for additional resources.
Need to Know
District and School Culture Survey Coming Next Monday
From May 5 through May 30, we invite all district families, staff, and students (grades 3-12) to take our District and School Culture Survey (formerly known as the District and School Climate Survey).
Your feedback will inform decisions and contribute to the ongoing implementation of our District Plan, which has been extended into the 2025-26 school year.
The survey will be open from Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 30.
This survey is part of our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of all of our scholars and build welcoming schools. More information will be shared soon!
Apply for Next Year’s DHSP Afterschool Programs by May 11
The City’s Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) is now accepting applications to the DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery through Sunday, May 11.
Cambridge families can apply to all four afterschool program models through a single online application process.
- Eligibility: Cambridge children entering Kindergarten – Grade 8 in September 2025 are eligible to apply
- Cost: Tuition is determined based on household size and income
- Re-enrollment: Children currently enrolled in a DHSP afterschool program can re-enroll in the same program by completing an application by the deadline. Open seats are filled through a lottery process.
Families will be notified of their child’s placement in a program or in the Waiting Pool by the end of June. To learn more and apply, visit cambridgema.gov/AfterschoolLottery.
Summer Jobs for Teens
The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) connects eligible teens to paid summer jobs in Cambridge and surrounding communities. This is a great opportunity for teens to get real world exposure to a variety of career paths, get some work experience and earn money!
Who is Eligible?
- Teens who are Cambridge residents.
- Teens turning 14 years old by July 7, 2025 and are age-eligible through the summer after completing high school.
- Teens must be eligible to work in the U.S. in order to get paid.
Teens can apply online using the Youth Employment Trax platform now - Friday, May 9. Learn more about the MYSEP program here.
2025-2026 School Year Calendar Now Available
The 2025-2026 school year is now available. Please reference this calendar when scheduling vacations and appointments to minimize disruption to school time to the best of your ability.
Access the 2025-2026 school year calendar online here
In the District
LatinX Affinity Caregiver Group
Wednesday, April 30 | 6 - 7:30PM
Zoom (bit.ly/LACGMeeting_4-30-25)
Join the
LatinX affinity caregiver group meeting and get to know incoming Cambridge Education Association’s (CEA) union president, Chris Montero. Chris will start in July and is looking forward to hearing how the CEA can continue to support students and caregivers.
Counted Out Film Screening and Math Playground
Saturday, May 3 | 10AM - 1PM
Cambridge Street Upper School (850 Cambridge Street)
Watch an in-person screening of the
film “Counted Out”, which highlights math literacy as a civil right and essential part of power dynamics within the world we live in.
Reserve your seat for the Counted Out screening here. Learn more about the
Math Playground here.
Cambridge Flagway Tournament
Saturday, May 3 | 1 - 3PM
Cambridge Street Upper School (850 Cambridge Street)
This
tournament-style team competition allows students to engage in math games and activities that are physically and mentally challenging. This event helps students develop a deeper understanding of math concepts in a fun and social way. Free lunch is offered.
Registration is recommended.
Our Cambridge Project Exhibit
Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 9 | City Hall Hours
Cambridge City Hall (795 Massachusetts Avenue)
Kindergarteners recently created models imagining a more just, inclusive, and sustainable city. Come view their
models at Cambridge City Hall May 5 - May 9.
District Calendar
Visit our
digital calendar for upcoming events here.
In the Community
If “Stranger Danger” is a Myth, Then What? Building a Safe and Resilient Cambridge
Monday, April 28 | 6 - 8:30PM
Cambridge Public Library - Main (449 Broadway, Lecture Hall)
High school students are invited to
join Meg Stone, the author of The Cost of Fear, and CRLS youth leaders to learn gender-inclusive strategies for learning safety skills important for resisting coercion, intimidation, and violence, while feeling empowered in stressful situations.
Reserve your spot before Friday, April 18.
People’s Forum on Graduation Readiness
Wednesday, April 30 | 6 - 7:30PM
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Library (459 Broadway Ct.)
Attend the
People’s Forum on Graduation Readiness and participate in a working session to discuss what students should know and be able to do by graduation, how student readiness is demonstrated to graduate, and how schools can support these goals.
Register for the People’s Forum here.
Stronger Together Block Party
Saturday, May 3 | 1 - 5PM
Central Square (11 Inman Square)
Join the
Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee in celebrating 60 years of service during the
city-wide Stronger Together Block Party. There will be live music, kid’s activities, food trucks, and a housing resource fair behind City Hall.
Housing Resource Fair
Saturday, May 3 | 1 - 5PM
Dorthy Dottie Doyle Way (Behind Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue)
This annual
housing resource event connects residents to resources related to fair and affordable housing. Live language interpretation will be provided.
Learn more about the Housing Resource Fair here.
Webinar: How Trauma Affects Youth & Family Mental Health
Thursday, May 15 | 12PM
Zoom (link to be provided through registration)
Join Cartwheel and Chris Smith, LCSW to learn about how trauma affects youth and families and what to do to support yourself and your kids. Learn how to break cycles of trauma and improve family functioning.
Register today with Cartwheel.
Cambridge -Somerville Asian Festival
Saturday, May 24 | 11AM - 3PM
Cambridge Street Upper School (850 Cambridge Street)
Enjoy an improv workshop, Asian American Experiences class civic projects, food, art activities and more! The
Cambridge- Somerville Asian Festival is free fun for the whole family!
District & Community Resources
CRLS Yearbook Cover Design Contest
Winning CRLS Yearbook Cover designed by Nia Guerrero
Creative Design students recently participated in the CRLS Yearbook Cover Contest. This design competition is part of the Creative Design Live Work Program, which allows real-word application of their design skills. The Yearbook Cover Design contest guidelines required the design to look professional, fresh, unique, eye-catching design. Students received contest guidelines and winners were selected based on originality and adherence to design guidelines.
The Yearbook Cover contest winners are:
Nia Guerrero, Senior, First Place
Raviv Wainstock, Senior, Second Place
Vincent Caterina, Junior, Third Place
Manika Deb, Senior, Fourth Place
View winning designs here.