Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, May 20 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Monday, May 26 | Memorial Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Tuesday, June 3 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Thursday, June 19 | Juneteenth (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Tuesday, June 24 | Last Day of School for All Grades (4-Hour School Day)
Good evening CPS Community,
Earlier this year, the School Committee voted to adopt the Interim Superintendent’s Proposed 2025-2026 Budget. The proposed budget will be reviewed for approval by the Cambridge City Council during a budget hearing tomorrow evening.
The online budget platform will be available on our website this Wednesday, May 14. Our budget tool provides an easy to use, interactive, and engaging version of the annual publication where you can view information about the district as a whole or individual schools and departments. We look forward to sharing more budget information with you next week!
Sincerely,
The CPS Team
In this Issue
- Share Your Feedback…Take the District and School Culture Survey Today
- Applications for Next Year’s DHSP Afterschool Programs Close This Sunday
- Summer Jobs for Teens - Apply by This Friday
- 2025-2026 School Year Calendar Now Available
- Upcoming Events
- District & Community Resources
- The Bright Spot
Need to Know
Cambridge Kicks Off Summer! Our Final Community Social
Join us as Cambridge kicks off summer with our final Community Social of the school year! Come celebrate the school year and access resources to help prevent the “Summer Slide”, which refers to the learning loss students experience over the summer when they are not engaged in educational activities.
Enjoy family activities, food and ice cream, summer learning resources, and more! Check out the Community Social flyer here.
- When: Thursday, May 15 | 5:30 - 7:30PM
- Where: Cambridge Street Upper School Cafeteria (830 Cambridge Street)
Questions? Contact Mia Ferej or call 617.349.9786
Share Your Feedback…Take the District and School Culture Survey Today
The District and School Culture Survey (formerly known as the District and School Climate Survey) is now open!
We are eager to hear from you as we strive to continue to provide high quality learning experiences that meet the needs of all of our scholars. As we have shared, we have partnered with Panorama Education for the survey. Panorama safeguards your privacy, keeping your responses confidential.
You may complete the survey online through Friday, May 30. Take the survey here.
Cambridge Kicks Off Summer! Our Final Community Social of 2024-25
Please join us as Cambridge kicks off summer with our final Community Social of the school year! Prevent the “Summer Slide” and celebrate the school year with us on Thursday, May 15, with family activities, food and ice cream, summer learning resources, and more!
- When: Thursday, May 15 | 5:30 - 7:30PM
- Where: Cambridge Street Upper School Cafeteria (830 Cambridge Street)
Questions? Contact Mia Ferej or call 617.349.9786
May 6th School Committee Recap
A School Committee meeting was held last Tuesday. Access the most recent School Committee Summary here. Highlights include..
Superintendent Search Update
The Cambridge School Committee has launched a nationwide search for Superintendent of Schools for Cambridge Public Schools. The Superintendent of Schools position has been posted.
More information regarding the Superintendent Search process and opportunities for community involvement will be shared later this year.
Interested in receiving email notifications about meetings? Join the School Committee listserv.
School Council
Election season is underway for the 2025-26 School Council. School councils are representative advisory groups that advise school leaders in the development and execution of goals and practices to enhance the achievement of all students.
We are seeking parents/caregivers of current CPS students and staff members at individual CPS schools to work collaboratively to support the implementation of existing and new programs as well as ensuring robust family engagement. Look for nomination information from your student’s school.
If you have questions please contact your child’s principal or the district’s Director of Family Engagement, Dr. Raymond Porch, at [email protected].
TikTok Challenge & District Policies
Last week we shared a message about a troubling trend on social media, specifically on TikTok. A new “challenge” encourages students to insert objects like pencil lead, paperclips, or push pins into their Chromebook computers. While these challenges may seem innocent to students, they can be very dangerous.
Inserting metal objects into an electric device can cause electrical shocks or fires, and it can severely damage the Chromebooks. Read our full TikTok Challenge letter here, including ways families and caregivers can help us work with students about using technology responsibly.
In the District
Community Summer Kickoff
Thursday, May 15 | 5:30 - 7:30PM
Cambridge Street Upper School Cafeteria (830 Cambridge Street)
Join us for our final Community Social of the year, aimed at helping students and families avoid the “summer slide.” Cambridge Kicks Off Summer will include summer learning resources, family activities, food, community connections, and more! Let’s get ready for a summer full of growth, fun, and learning!
Classical Music Concert
Wednesday, May 14 | 7PM
Fitzgerald Theatre at CRLS (459 Broadway)
Enjoy performances by the percussion ensemble, orchestra, traveling chorus, and falcon band.
See more VPA events and get tickets | View the VPA performance calendar here
Media Arts Film Festival
Thursday, May 22 | 6PM
MIT Museum, Gambrill Center (314 Main Street)
Watch films created by CRLS students, eat snacks, meet the filmmakers! Reserve your seat for the Media Arts Film Festival here.
Haitian Affinity
Saturday, May 31 | 10AM - 1PM
Fletcher Maynard Academy (225 Windsor Street)
Celebrate the end of the school year! More information to come.
Mural Unveiling at Fletcher Maynard Academy
Friday, June 13 | 3 - 3:45PM
Fletcher Maynard Academy Gymnasium (225 Windsor Street)
View the large collaborative mutual designed and painted by FMA grade 5 students during the FMA mural unveiling!
District Calendar
Visit our
digital calendar for upcoming events here.
In the Community
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!
Cambridge Welcomes!
Thursday, May 29 | 6 - 8PM
Cambridge Street Upper School/King Open Community Complex (located at 830 Cambridge Street)
Join the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship for a joyful evening celebrating the many cultures and identities that make Cambridge Special. The
Cambridge Welcomes event is free for all!
Link
Cambridge Mini Makers’ Market
Sunday, June 1 | 2 - 4PM
King Open School (Address)
Register your young creative child as a vendor or save-the-date to shop. This craft market sells handmade goods created by kids.
Learn more about the Mini Maker’s Market here.
District & Community Resources
Former CPS Student Turned Author and Illustrator Visits Haggerty!
Children’s author, illustrator, and proud product of Cambridge Public Schools, Thyra Heder visited kindergarten and grade 1 students at the Haggerty school. Heder shared insights about her writing and drawing process, read her book The Polar Bear Report to students, and offered an engaging drawing session where she brought students' suggestions to life in real time!
Students were amazed by how quickly mere scribbles evolved into fully developed characters within a setting. The visit was unforgettable for students, their families, and the staff alike. Thanks to the Porter Square Book Foundation for providing every student with a signed copy of the book – and thanks to Thyra for visiting!