Greetings CPS Community!
I want to extend a thank you to those who attended our community town hall last Monday to review the findings from the 2023-2024 District/School Climate Survey. The
slidedeck presented during that meeting is available on our website along with the
Panorama generated survey data reports.
As we continue to embrace data-driven decision making, I encourage families to submit feedback through our
Communications and Content Survey before April 5. By focusing on district and school level communication efforts along with the use of ParentSquare and our website platforms, we can continue to improve two-way communication to achieve the goals outlined in
objective 4 of our District Plan: Building Welcoming Schools.
The School Committee held a public hearing last Tuesday regarding the
2024-2025 Budget Proposal. Tomorrow evening, a third budget workshop will be held at 6PM as we finalize the proposal for a vote of adoption
next Tuesday, April 2.
A reminder that there is
no school this Friday, March 29, in observance of Good Friday.
Thank you for your continued support.
Make it Great!
Dr. Victoria L. Greer
Headlines
Communications and Content Survey is Now Open to Families
If you haven’t already, please take our Communications and Content Survey, which is open through Friday, April 5.
Take the survey here or click the image below.
Your feedback will inform decisions and contribute to the continued improvement of our communication strategies and platforms as both of which are integral to objective 4 of our District Plan: Building Welcoming Schools. We have again partnered with Panorama Education for the survey. Panorama safeguards your privacy, keeping your responses confidential.
2024-2025 Proposed Budget
In an effort to highlight key investments outlined in Superintendent Greer’s proposed budget, we have crafted a three-part video series. These videos spotlight the Educator Pathway Program, the new Elementary English Language Arts curriculum, and the additional priorities the district has allocated funding.
We hope you take a few moments to watch these videos to understand the budget prior to the School Committee’s vote of adoption on April 2. Learn more about the budget by reviewing the full 2024-2025 Budget Proposal.
March 19 School Committee Update
Highlights include:
Interested in receiving email notifications about meetings? Join the School Committee listserv
Featured Events & Opportunities
Register for this Wednesday’s Cambridge Community Iftar
The City of Cambridge in collaboration with Mayor Denise Simmons, Councillor Sumbul Siddiqui, the NAACP Cambridge Branch, the Cambridge Public Schools, and the Islamic Society of Boston invites families to attend the Cambridge Community Iftar. Iftar is the evening meal where Muslims break their fast after sunset during the Holy month of Ramadan. Free Halal food will be served and space will be provided for evening prayer. Guests will learn more about Iftar from guest speakers and our students. Registration is required.
- When: Wednesday, March 27 | 6:30PM
- Where: Cambridge Street Upper School (located at 850 Cambridge Street)
- Register here
Registered participants will receive an email one day before the event with their ticket confirmation and more information. Questions? Contact Ammarah Rehman.
To view the full flyer, click here.
Free Webinar: Parenting Strategies for the Adolescent Years
Our mental health partner, Cartwheel, is offering another free live webinar to share practical strategies for parents of adolescents on topics such as communication, relationships, body image and social media.
Dr. Anisha Abraham, MD, MPH, a board certified pediatrician, adolescent medicine specialist and chief of the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Children's National Hospital will inform, guide and collaborate with parents to help their pre-teens and teens navigate challenging situations. Join us for the free webinar ‘Parenting Tips
Calling All Interested in Construction, Planning and Design - Check Out KidsBuild!
The Boston Society for Architecture is hosting KidsBuild!, a free event for children aged 5-13 to explore the possibilities of architecture, planning, design, and construction by building a city from recycled materials alongside experienced volunteer design professionals. Registration for each day is required and is now open.
- When: Saturday and Sunday, April 6 & 7
- Where: Boston Society for Architecture (located at 290 Congress Street, Boston)
- Registration: Saturday, April 6 | Sunday, April 7
The KidsBuild! model city will be on display to the public throughout the following week.
Don’t Look Into the Sun…Unless You Have These!
A total solar eclipse will be visible on April 8 from 2:16 - 4:39PM! During a total solar eclipse, the sun is completely covered by the moon while it passes between the sun and earth.
Looking into the sun can damage your eyes so to ensure our students are prepared to safely witness this wonder, the Science Department will be providing solar eclipse viewing glasses for all students in advance of the event.
Visibility of the event is different depending on location. The next total solar eclipse to be seen from the United States won’t be until 2044. In Cambridge, we’ll be able to see the eclipse at a maximum of 93%! Access more resources and information here.
Multicultural Night at CRLS
The student-led Cultural Visibility Team invites you to our first district-wide Multicultural Night! Enjoy a variety of cuisines in our community potluck and celebrate the many cultures of Cambridge with student performances and a fashion show!
- When: Thursday, April 11 | 6 - 8PM
- Where: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (located at 459 Broadway Street)
- Registration is recommended, but not required.
Volunteering to perform or to bring a dish for the potluck is open to the community, check out our volunteer form!
March 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.
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This, Tuesday, March 26 | 3 - 4:30 PM (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School/Putnam Ave Upper School)
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Wednesday, March 27 | 1:45 - 3:45PM (Fletcher Maynard Academy)
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Wednesday, March 27 | 2 - 4PM (Kennedy-Longfellow School/Vassal Lane Upper School)
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See the full list of free food markets for the 2023-2024 school year.
Advocacy and Engagement Goes Beyond the Classroom During Participatory Budgeting
The district partnered with the City of Cambridge to set up polling stations at every middle school and at the High School Extension Program for the City's 10th Annual Participatory Budgeting Process last week!
Students were able to experience the process of voting, complete with an “I voted” sticker. Shout to our CPS History Department who worked hard to bring this connected learning opportunity to our students for the first time ever! Special thank you to the History Department and building based staff on their efforts to bring this experience to our students.
CRLS Chefs Featured on NBC10 Boston The HUB Today
CRLS Junior Jahsmine Son proudly represented the ProStart Culinary team on NBC1o Boston’s segment of The HUB Today, which spotlighted the winners of the 16th Annual Massachusetts ProStart Invitational (MAPSI). The team placed 1st in the Culinary portion and showcased their chocolate cake they perfected in preparation for the competition.
Key Resources
Friday, March 29 | Good Friday (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Wednesday, April 10 | Eid al-Fitr (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19 | April Break (No School & CPS Offices Closed on Monday, April 15)
Wednesday, May 8 | Early Release (Grades JK-8)
Monday, May 27 | Memorial Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)