Mark Your Calendar
- Monday, February 17 - Friday, February 21 | February Break (No School & CPS Offices Closed on February 17)
- Wednesday, March 19 | Staff Professional Learning Day (No School)
Good evening CPS Community:
Upper School Families are invited to attend Upper School Math Night this Thursday, February 13 at 5:30PM at the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School Complex. Families will be able to connect with various math program partners and learn more about the math curriculum, and engage in fun math activities.
We’ve had an eventful few weeks preparing the budget for the next school year and settling into the new year. We hope you all take the time to recharge and connect with your families over February break next week. For those looking for programs, events, or other opportunities to engage in over the break, please check out the winter program slideshow and other resources below.
Upon our return from break, please save-the-date for the Rollin’ and Summer Resources event on Saturday, March 1 from 1 - 4PM. Families will be able to connect with various program partners, learn more about summer offerings, and sign up for the DHSP Summer Camp and Programs. Additional information will be available soon.
Please note that there will not be an issue of the CPS Connect next Monday. The next issue will be Monday, February 24. Have a wonderful and restful break!
Sincerely,
The CPS Team
In this Issue:
-
Planning for the 2025 - 2026 Budget
- February 4 School Committee Recap
- Your Guide to February Break Fun!
- DHSP Summer Camps and Programs Lottery… Apply Today!
- Cambridge Rindge and Latin Scholarship Portal Now Open
- Resident Bike Lottery Program: Application Open Soon
- Upcoming Events
- District & Community Resources
- The Bright Spot
Need to Know News
Planning for the 2025-2026 Budget
Thank you to all who attended our January Community Budget meetings. If you were unable to attend, you can access the budget presentation here: English | አማርኛ | عربي | বাংলা | Kreyòl ayisyen | Español.
We look forward to continuing to work with CPS staff, parents, caregivers, and Cambridge community members to develop a budget inclusive of our shared priorities and operational responsibilities.
Tips for Understanding the Budget:
Access more information about the budget process and community meeting schedule here.
February 4th School Committee Recap
A School Committee meeting was held last Tuesday. Highlights include...
Interested in receiving email notifications about meetings? Join the School Committee listserv.
Your Guide to February Break Fun!
Looking for activities, programs, and workshops to keep your students engaged over school break? Check out the following resources to learn what your student and family can engage in.
DHSP Summer Camps and Programs Lottery… Apply Today!
The city’s Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) Summer Camps and Programs Lottery application is open now through Monday, March 3.
Program
|
Age Eligible |
Community Schools Summer Camps
|
Current Kindergarten - 4th graders
|
Cambridge Youth Programs (CYP)
|
Current 3rd - 8th graders
*CYP is free for 13-year-olds |
About DHSP Summer Camps and Programs:
- All DHSP Camps and Programs operate Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 5:30PM.
- Families can choose from sessions between June 30 – August 15 (closed July 4)
- Cost is based on family size and income.
Apply online no later than Monday, March 3. (Please note that families with multiple children only need to complete one application.)
Questions? Call 617.349.6200 or email [email protected].
Cambridge Rindge and Latin Scholarship Portal Now Open
The Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Scholarship portal is open to grade 12 students now through March 3!
Resident Bike Lottery Program: Application Opens Soon
Need a new bike? Through the Cambridge Resident Bike Lottery, income-eligible residents can apply 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, view flyers, and review applicant eligibility requirements here.
Applications open later this winter. Sign up to receive email updates on the Resident Bike Lottery program here.
In the District
Upper School Math Night
Thursday, February 13 | 5:30 - 7 PM
King Open School / Cambridge Street Upper School (840 Cambridge Street)
Join CPS and community partners to learn and engage in your student’s
middle school math experience during and after school! Hear important updates to 7th grade math, and get helpful resources and information about various math-related questions and needs. Childcare is available.
Registration is recommended but not required..
Latin/ Hip Hop Dance
Wednesday, February 26 | 6PM
CRLS War Memorial Building (1640 Cambridge Street)
Content Join the CPS Physical Education department and Star Dance School for a
Latin/ Hip Hop dance spectacular starring our CPS 5th graders!
Rollin’ and Summer Resources
Saturday, March 1 | 1 - 4PM
Cambridge Street Upper School/ King Open School Complex (840 Cambridge Street)
Families with children in grades K-8 are encouraged to attend Rollin’ and Summer Resources event. There will be food, music, and roller skating along with over 50 community partners with information regarding summer offerings. Flyers and additional information coming soon!
Haitian Folkloric Dance Workshop
Saturday, March 1 | 6 - 7 PM
Fletcher Maynard Academy Gym (255 Windsor Street)
Explore new movements and enjoy live drumming with artists from Jean Appolon Expression at this free dance workshop! CPS students, families, and staff are encouraged to attend.
Register and learn more about the workshop here.
This event is sponsored through an Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Equity Collaborative grant.
District Calendar
In the Community
Virtual: Cambridge Volunteer Fair
Friday, February 14 | 12 - 1:30PM
Zoom (link to be provided through registration)
Connect with local non-profits and find opportunities support organizations and your community at the
Cambridge Volunteer Fair! Register to attend here.
Foundry Festival
Saturday, February 15 - Saturday, February 22 | Various Times
The Foundry (101 Rogers Street)
Immerse yourself in a week of free arts and STEM programming centered around this year’s theme of resilience at the
Foundry Festival. Celebrate how stories, cultures, and communities continue to thrive, not just as an act of survival, but in the creation of strong communities that take care of each other.
Access the Foundry Festival program details here.
Frost Fit: Orienteering on the Esplanade
Monday, February 17 | 10AM - 1PM
Fiedler Field, Charles River Esplanade (Boston)
Join Navigation Games and the Esplanade Association for animal orienteering – a scavenger hunt to find animals while completing challenges to unlock the next checkpoint.
Learn more and register here.
District & Community Resources
InvenTEAM
Last week, CRLS students participated in the mid-grant technical review of their ongoing project for the
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam grant. Students presented the real world problem they aim to solve through their invention. With so many individuals and groups sharing the Charles River, the CRLS InvenTeam is working to design a two-way communication and real-time tracking mechanism for boat traffic along the water to minimize the risk of collisions and improve overall traffic flow. They will present once more in June at EurekaFest at MIT. We look forward to seeing the CRLS InvenTeam continue to refine their invention and represent CRLS as 1 of only 8 high school teams selected to compete nationally.
CRLS Students Recognized for Exceptional Artistic and Literary Work
We are proud to share that 46 CRLS students won a total of 93 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards this year. Open to students from grades 7–12, the
Scholastic Art Awards are the nation's longest-running, largest, most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers in the visual and literary arts.
Our incredible young artists were awarded 22 Gold Keys, 1 Silver Key Portfolio, 26 Silver Keys, and 44 Honorable Mentions for the Massachusetts Region.
Explore the extraordinary recognized works compiled in this google slide presentation.
All Gold Key Massachusetts Award winners will have their work featured in an exhibition at Tufts University in March and will be reviewed at the national level by panels of creative professionals to be considered for national awards, medals, and scholarships.