Dear CPS Community,
We hope that you had a healthy and restful Thanksgiving break. As we welcome students and staff back, we must continue to stay vigilant to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while planning for the future.
See below for the following updates and reminders:
- COVID-19 Reminders
- Family Feedback and Listening Sessions
- Flu Shots Required by December 31
- Snow Days will be Remote Learning Days
- Key Dates & Upcoming Meetings/Events
- Key Resources
Sincerely,
Kenneth N. Salim, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Updates
1. COVID-19 Reminders: We all must continue to do our part to prevent the spread of the virus. The CPS COVID-19 Data Dashboard continues to provide updated information.
Check out the updated “What Should I Do” document and do not come to school or work if:
- You have symptoms of COVID-19
- You have tested positive for COVID-19 and not yet been cleared from isolation to return
- You had close contact with a confirmed case within the past 14 days
- Your household relatives or housemates are symptomatic and have not yet received a negative test. (Stay home until the housemates' negative test is confirmed!)
- You have traveled to high risk states within the past 14 days and have not yet received a negative test
Take advantage of Cambridge testing options for residents. CPS staff who are working in-person can be tested up to twice per week. Thanks to all our staff that are taking advantage of this option and helping keep our community safe.
2. Family Feedback and Listening Sessions: This month, CPS will be engaging with families in several ways to hear your perspective on the student learning experience thus far, and discuss possible expansion of in-person learning. Stay tuned for a link to the survey as well as invitations to engage in listening sessions throughout December, which will be designed to focus on different groups, including different grade bands, in-person and remote learning families, different language communities, special education families, and other groups.
3. Flu Shots Required by December 31: A reminder that the flu vaccine is now required for all Massachusetts public school students, including students learning remotely. Under this new state requirement, students should receive the vaccine before December 31, 2020 unless a religious or medical exemption is provided. New research shows the flu shot can also help curb the severity of COVID-19 for some patients. Cambridge Public School students who are between 12-22 years-old can receive a flu shot at the Teen Health Center located at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. You can call 617.665.1548 for more information.
4. Snow Days will be Remote Learning Days: For this school year, the state has provided districts with the option to decide locally if winter storms triggering building closures are treated as “snow days” to be made up later in the school year or to provide all students with remote learning on those days. CPS will treat “snow days” as remote learning days for the 2020-21 school year. Students who would normally attend school in-person will have a remote learning day.
5. Key Dates & Upcoming Meetings/Events
6. Key Resources
- New School Virtual Tours: Thanks to innovative leadership by our family liaisons, we have launched new Virtual Tours of our elementary schools for incoming families. Check out the videos!
- The Citywide Eviction Moratorium is still in effect. Click here to stay up-to-date on your rights and the resources available to you as a tenant.
- The City of Cambridge COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program serves to provide short term financial assistance to individuals and families in Cambridge who are experiencing housing instability due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program represents the City of Cambridge’s second phase of COVID-19 related resource disbursement for housing assistance. You can learn more here.
- Check out the Innovative Learning Spaces Collaborative website, which includes resources and activities “to learn everywhere” and to create innovative learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and connection.
- Remote learning support and afterschool opportunities resources sheets: Elementary School Opportunities 2020, Middle School Opportunities 2020, and Tutoring Opportunities 2020.
- Looking for activities and resources for you and your family? Use Find It Cambridge to search for afterschool, food support, adult education, and more! Contact the Find It Cambridge team for assistance by phone or text (617.686.2998) or email us. To learn about events and activities happening in Cambridge, follow and like us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.