Greer Gazette: February 27, 2023

Greer Gazette: February 27, 2023
Posted on 02/27/2023

    

I hope you had a wonderful February break. It’s hard to believe that it is almost March!


I am very excited to share that we are making excellent progress on our Portrait of a Graduate design work. The Portrait of a Graduate is a collective vision that captures the district’s aspirations for every student. Our design team, which is made up of students, alumni, families, employers, and other community members, will meet for a third time tonight. They are working hard to create a comprehensive Portrait that considers the needs of all of our students, aligns with our District Plan, student-designed Mission, Vision, and Core Values, and Instructional Framework. You can see photos from the previous meetings below. We are grateful for their ongoing efforts and look forward to sharing more with you.

We are also putting the finishing touches on our FY24 budget for next year. Thank you again to those of you who shared your perspective at our community budget meetings. I will present the FY24 proposed budget to the School Committee in a Special Meeting on Tuesday, March 14th. We hope you will join us or watch the meeting virtually.


We, along with the Cambridge Public Health Department, strongly recommend wearing a mask at school and in all of our buildings through this Friday, March 3particularly if an individual traveled over February break. Please note that this recommendation may be extended as we continue to monitor the data.


Thank you for your continued support.


Make it Great!


Dr. Victoria L. Greer


What We’re Celebrating in March



National Women’s History Month commemorates and encourages the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women and their contributions to American history. We celebrate trailblazers, such asJeannette Rankin, the first female member of Congress, andShirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress, who paved the way for other female politicians, such as Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Ayanna Pressley, the first black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts.


Other women with ties to Massachusetts include:
  • Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Ann Hobson Pilot, the first black woman to join the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

  • Maria Mitchell, the first professional female astronomer.

  • Gwen Ifill, member of the first all-female team to anchor a national nightly news program.


Local events honoring Women’s History Month:
  • The Cambridge Public Library will hold a celebration with intersectional stories, activities, and crafts at the O’Neill Branch (located at 70 Rindge Avenue).

    • Saturday, March 18 | 2 - 3PM

  • The Museum of Science in Boston (1 Science Park) is celebrating women’s contributions to science, culture, and society, with a special weekend event that will include featured speakers, live presentations, activities, and more.

    • Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19

    • Click here for tickets




National Nutrition Month is an opportunity to learn about how to make informed, healthy food choices. Due to requirements under the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, studies have shown that school meals are the most nutritionally balanced meals that most children eat during the day.


In Cambridge, our Food & Nutrition Services Department (FNS) is committed to preparing scratch cooked, culturally relevant, nutritionally balanced meals for our students on a daily basis. They were recently featured on WBZ-TV about the impact healthy school meals have on students. Click here or on the play button below to watch the segment!You can also check out all of our menus here.




Headlines

Teen Health Survey

We have once again partnered with the Cambridge Public Health Department for our Student Health Survey involving students in grades 6-12.This survey is conducted regularly to assess the health behaviors of our middle and high school students.It asks about topics relating to students’ Sense of Belonging, Mental Health, Healthy Relationships, and Healthy Habits. The data guides improvements to our Wellness Education Program and helps us address the growing needs of our students.


  • Click here to view the full report.

  • The survey results and related work to address the teen health concerns will be discussed at a School Climate Subcommittee meeting this Wednesday, March 1 at 6PM.

  • If you are looking for ways to support your teen’s mental health, this article from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education may be a helpful resource.


Summer Programming

Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about summer!


K-8 families are invited to attend a Rollin’ & Summer Resources collaborative community event to learn more about the opportunities available to students. There will be food, music, and roller skating.

  • WHEN: Saturday, March 4 | 2:30 - 4:30PM

  • WHERE: Cambridge Street Upper School/King Open Community Complex

  • Questions? Contact Shawn Proctor at [email protected] or Debbie Bonilla at [email protected]


In the coming weeks, the Office of Academics & Schools will be sharing information about Academic Support Programs that will be open this summer for students in grades K-8.

  • These are engaging programs that combine fun, hands-on activities with targeted lessons in math and English Language Arts (ELA) to support students who would benefit from additional learning time.

  • School leadership refers students to participate in one of these opportunities. You will be notified by the end of March.


The City of Cambridge also offers safe and engaging summer programming for students who are in JK-8th grade this school year.


A Look Inside the Portrait of a Graduate Design Process
As we shared above, our Portrait of a Graduate design team is hard at work creating a Portrait that will serve as a cornerstone of our work. We appreciate their dedication to defining and outlining our vision for all students to ensure that our graduates are ready for what is next.








Spring Sports Registration



Registration for Spring Athletics is open through Tuesday, March 14.

  • See the registration checklist.

  • Register for the spring season.

  • To learn more about the sports offered and more important dates, click here.


Milestone Save!
Congratulations to CRLS Girls Hockey goalie, senior Isabel Laskin, who recorded her 2,000th save for the Falcons on Saturday, February 11 against Central Catholic!


Izzy has been on the Varsity team for 4 years and started in a total of 49 games. She has also been an assistant captain the last two seasons. We are so proud of you, Izzy!

Click on the play button below to hear about Izzy’s proudest moment as a Falcon. (Spoiler Alert: it’s not her 2,000th save!)



Student-Led Tutoring

Last year, Isra Mohamed, CRLS Class of 2023, teamed up with the Design Lab and the Elementary School Network to create a tutoring program called Bridge Scholars for students in grades K-3. It was co-designed and led by high school students.


Today, the program serves about 80 children across the city and has partnered with two after school programs – the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School’s 2nd-5th grade childcare program and the Peabody School’s K-2nd grade & 2nd-5th grade childcare programs. Way to go, Bridge Scholars!


Sidewalk Poetry Contest


Would you like a poem that you wrote to be stamped in sidewalks across Cambridge? The city is accepting applications for the 2023 Sidewalk Poetry Contest. Five winning poems will be imprinted into new sidewalks around the city beginning this fall.

  • Winners will receive a $100 prize!

  • Submit your poem in any language by 12noon on Friday, March 10.

  • Learn more about the entry requirements and find existing sidewalk poetry.

  • Questions? Contact Cambridge Arts at sidewalkpoetry@cambridgema.gov


Photo Courtesy: City of Cambridge



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.


Upcoming markets:

  • Wednesday, March 8

    • 2 - 3:30PM (Kennedy-Longfellow School/Vassal Lane Upper School)

    • 1:45 - 3PM (Fletcher Maynard Academy)

  • Thursday, March 16

    • 3:15 - 4PM (Rindge Avenue Upper School/Peabody School)

  • Wednesday, March 21

    • 1:30 - 3PM (Graham & Parks School)

  • Thursday, March 30

    • 3 - 4PM (Putnam Avenue Upper School/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School)

You can see the full list of free food markets here.


Health & Safety Update



To help keep our community safe this winter, the Cambridge Public Health Department is offering free COVID-19 and Flu vaccines to adults and children 5 and older every Wednesday through June 14.

  • WHERE: 119 Windsor Street

  • HOURS: 12 - 4PM

  • Appointments are required. Insurance and identification are not required.

Book your appointment >>


Mark Your Calendar


Wednesday, March 15 Early Release Day (JK-8 only)


Monday, March 20 Staff Professional Learning Day
(No School)

Friday, April 7 | Good Friday (No School & CPS Offices Closed)


Monday, April 17 - Friday, April 21 April Break (No School & CPS Offices Closed on Monday, April 17)

 
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