Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, November 4 | Staff Professional Learning Day/Election Day (No School)
- Tuesday, November 11 | Veterans Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Tuesday, November 18 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Thursday, November 27 - Friday, November 28 | Thanksgiving Break (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Good evening CPS Community,
This week’s issue of CPS Connect includes important updates about how Cambridge, and Cambridge Public Schools, are addressing food insecurity, upgrades to Eastern Bus software for parents and guardians, Cambridge Preschool deadlines, and more! Please read below for all of the details.
Our Student Registration Center will host an information session regarding the 2026-2027 Kindergarten Lottery process Wednesday, November 12. You can learn more in the newsletter section below.
Finally, as a reminder, there will be no school tomorrow, November 4 due to Professional Staff Learning/ Election Day.
Sincerely,
The CPS Team
In this Issue:
- Food Resources for Eligible School-Aged Residents
- Fall Free Food Markets
- Kindergarten Lottery Information Sessions
- November 5 Listening Sessions: Next Director of Family and Community Engagement
- Transportation Update: New Software Now Live!
- Preschool Application for 2026-2027 Closes Friday, November 14
- Community Conversation with Superintendent Murphy
- Webinar Recording - Supporting Students with Planning, Organization, and Regulation
- Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Home Energy Assistance
- Speakfully Incident Reporting System
- National Native American Heritage Month
- National Career Development Month
- Transgender Awareness Week
- Upcoming Events
- District & Community Resources
- The Bright Spot
Need to Know News
Food Resources for Eligible School-Aged Residents
To help CPS students and families, we have options available to address food insecurity for families who are eligible for SNAP benefits.
Starting later this week, Cambridge Public Schools will distribute gift cards to a local grocery store, to eligible students. Each eligible student will receive one $50 gift card. We are developing details of when and how gift cards will be distributed to students, and will share an update in the next few days. We expect to have gift cards by November 7.
In the meantime, there are options available during school hours for ALL students:
- All students have access to FREE breakfast and lunch every school day. View the daily menus here.
- Beginning on Monday, CPS Food Services is making meals more substantial by adding more protein options to daily menus.
- Students may visit salad bars more than once during meals for additional fruit and vegetables.
- Students are encouraged to use the “share tables” in the cafeterias. Students who have wrapped, unused food items can place them on the share table for others to take as needed.
If you need additional support or want to visit a local free food market, find all options here.
Fall 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.
Graham and Parks School
1:30 - 3PM
November 13 | December 4
|
Fletcher Maynard Academy
2 - 3:45PM
November 12 | December 10
|
Peabody School/ Rindge Avenue Upper School
3:25 - 5:15PM
November 20 | December 18
|
Community Charter School of Cambridge
2:30 - 3:30PM
October 29 | November 25 | December 17
|
Kindergarten Lottery Information Sessions
The Kindergarten Lottery for the 2026-2027 school year will open on January 5 and close on January 30 at 4PM. 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 Sessions:
November 5 Listening Sessions: Next Director of Family and Community Engagement
The search for our new Director of Family and Community Engagement is underway, and we need your input to find the best candidate.
Join a virtual listening session hosted by Dr. Jalene Tamerat and the CPS Team to share your hopes and expectations for this key leadership role.
Listening Session | Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Morning Session: 9 - 10AM
- Evening Session: 6 - 7PM
All are welcome to attend. Questions? Contact [email protected]
Transportation Update: New Software Now Live!
Families of students who ride the big yellow school buses (Eastern Bus) are now able to track your child’s bus in real time! Last week, in partnership with our bus vendor, we officially switched to a new online software. While there are no changes to your child’s bus service or bus stop time or location, you may notice these changes in the tracking systems:
- In the Bus Tracking App...
- You are now able to track your child's bus in real time.
- Your child's bus stop time has been updated to reflect the most current time.
- In the Find Your Bus Stop tool...
- The display was updated and looks different, but generally works the same way.
If you are not yet using the Edulog app to track your child’s bus, you can get instructions here. For more information about Transportation and bus tracking information, visit our CPS Transportation website.
Preschool Application for 2026-2027 Closes Friday, November 14
Applications for the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) for the 2026-2027 school year are open now through Friday, November 14.
CPP provides access to free preschool through Cambridge Public Schools, the Cambridge Department of Human Services and Programs, and select community-based preschool and family child-care providers. Families can choose from programs that operate full-day, full-year (including summer) for an additional cost. Families apply through a single, centralized online application during the fall application timeframe.
A child is eligible if they live in Cambridge and are:
- 4 years old by August 31, 2026 for 4-year-old programs; or
- 3 years old by August 31, 2026 for 3-year-old programs (please note there will be limited seats for 3-year-olds, and there may be additional eligibility requirements)
The program is managed by the City’s Office of Early Childhood. Learn more about the Cambridge Preschool Program here.
Community Conversation with Superintendent Murphy
You’re invited to attend a Community Conversation with Superintendent David Murphy on Wednesday, November 12.
Hosted in partnership with My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), they will lead a discussion with Superintendent Murphy to reflect upon his time as Interim Superintendent, and learn more about what’s next for Cambridge Public Schools under his leadership.
- When: Wednesday, November 12
- Time: 6 - 7:30PM (Doors will open at 5:30PM)
- Where: Fitzgerald Theater at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (459 Broadway)
We hope to see you there!
Webinar Recording - Supporting Students with Planning, Organization, and Regulation
Last month we partnered with Educational Therapist and Learning Consultant, Alexis A. Reid, M.A., for a webinar focused on supporting executive functioning in students with advanced learning needs.
The session provided valuable tools and tips for families to help students of all ages with planning, organization, and self-regulation. Supporting these skills allows students to manage their schoolwork and daily lives more effectively.
Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Home Energy Assistance
Colder weather means higher heating bills. The Cambridge Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 season. The program helps residents pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Learn more and apply.
Please note: the federal government shutdown will cause delays in application processing and payments this year, but we encourage you to apply to the program as soon as possible. If you experience a no-heat emergency, please call 617.665.6234. The program can help eligible applicants within 24 hours.
Speakfully Incident Reporting System
We are continuing to use Speakfully as our incident reporting system. Speakfully serves as an additional avenue for families, students, and staff to submit an incident report.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
What We’re Celebrating This Month
National Native American Heritage Month
The United States is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land, Native Americans. For example, Cambridge is home to the Massa-adchu-es-et (Massachusett), Pawtucket, and Naumkeag Peoples.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under a variety of names (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994. During National Native American Heritage Month, we explore the heritage, culture, and experiences of Indigenous peoples both historically and in American life today.
National Career Development Month
National Career Development Month is dedicated to highlighting the importance of career development and planning and celebrating a nationwide initiative that encourages lifelong learning, skill development, and career exploration to promote personal and professional growth. Embedded in our District Plan is a commitment to provide accessible College and Career Pathways that support student success.
Transgender Awareness Week
Transgender Awareness Week leads up to what has traditionally been known as Trans Day of Remembrance, a day to remember trans people who died in the previous year due to anti-trans violence. Trans people, especially trans women of color, continue to be at a high risk of violence due to widespread and increasing transphobia and anti-trans hate. More recently, the day has been reframed as Trans Day of Resilience, to put the focus on people's lives rather than deaths.
Our goal in Cambridge Public Schools is that every child thrive as their full self. We know that when young people are supported in exploring and expressing who they are, they are happier and healthier in all aspects of their lives. In honor of Trans Awareness Week, you may want to read some of the stories of these inspiring young trans activists who are fighting for kids like themselves to have that support.
Nearly every school in Cambridge has a thriving club or group for LGBTQ+ students, the children of LGBTQ+ caregivers, and their allies.
In the District
Family and Community Engagement Director Listening Sessions
Share your hopes for the next Family and Community Engagement Director
Wednesday, November 5 | 9 - 10AM
(Virtual via Zoom)
Wednesday, November 5 | 6 - 7PM
(Virtual via Zoom)
Community Conversation with Superintendent Murphy
Wednesday, November 12 | 6 - 7:30PM
Fitzgerald Theater at CRLS (459 Broadway)
Hosted in partnership with My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), they will lead a discussion with Superintendent Murphy to reflect upon his time as Interim Superintendent, and learn more about what’s next for Cambridge Public Schools under his leadership.
Kindergarten Lottery Virtual Information Sessions
Kindergarten Lottery for 26-27 opens this January. Learn more about the application, including testing during the upcoming information sessions.
Wednesday, November 12 | 6 - 7PM
(Virtual via Zoom)
Saturday, December 6 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM
(Virtual via Zoom)
Virtual Multilingual Learner Families of Color Listen and Learn
Thursday, November 20 | 6:30PM
Zoom (link to be provided through registration)
Share your experience and ideas on how to support multilingual learners with the CPS Director of Multilingual Education at this Listen and Learn session. Hosted by Cambridge Families of Color and the Village.
District Calendar
Visit our digital calendar for upcoming events here.
In the Community
Webinar: Student Assessments & Evaluations: When to Seek Them, What to Know, How to Make Sense of Them
Wednesday, November 12 | 12PM
Join Cartwheel and national expert on ADHD and learning disorders, Dr. Ellen Braaten, to learn when families should consider an evaluation, what the process involves, and how to understand the results so families can advocate for their children.
Register for the webinar here.
District & Community Resources
DVUS Fresh Pond Visit
Grade 6 students went on a field trip to Fresh Pond and the Cambridge Water Department Lab. They made observations of human impacts on the environment, and had a Q + A session with Ranger Omar to learn more about how the Fresh Pond rangers work to keep the pond clean. In the water lab students practiced pipetting liquids, completed a scavenger hunt in the lab (and were excited to meet Henry the turtle!), and interviewed water chemists about their jobs.
Historic Finish(es) for CRLS at Head of the Charles Regatta
CRLS Crew Teams saw historic finishes at this year’s Head of the Charles Regatta! In Girls’ Crew, Bow 19 completed the best girls’ boat finish of all time in the historic race. Placing 10th in the overall field of 86 boats, they clocked in at 18:49.738. They finished the highest of all non-private school, non-club teams. CRLS Bow 46 finished in 51st of the field of 86.
In Women’s Youth Eight, CRLS Bow 86 finished 69th of 83, and in Men’s Youth Fours, Bow 35 finished 41st of 86, ensuring a boat entry for next year, and Bow 39 finished 47th.
Congratulations to all rowers and coaches!