No School Feb. 22, Additional Budget Mtg Feb 11; Countdown to Expanded In-Person Learning

No School Feb. 22, Additional Budget Mtg Feb 11; Countdown to Expanded In-Person Learning
Posted on 02/08/2021

Dear CPS Community,

We are making great progress in preparing to welcome back more students for expanded, in-person learning on March 1. To support teachers and planning, we are adding a new professional development day on Monday, Feb. 22. There will be no school for students on that day.

Teachers are focused on enhancing learning for both in-person and remote learners and school Infection Control Teams are getting ready to train students, staff, and families on safety protocols.

This week’s snowy forecast makes us feel like we are stuck in winter, but spring is just 41 days away, and we are eagerly looking forward to getting back outdoors. Deputy Supt. Carolyn Turk is leading an Outdoor Learning Task Force to explore the many ways we can engage students outside of our buildings. We will also have high-quality tents (at schools where the campus footprint allows) for outdoor lunch, learning and socialization.

We hope everyone will enjoy a restful, rejuvenating break during next week’s February vacation. Do your part to protect our community and practice COVID-19 safety protocols: Mask Up, Wash Your Hands, and Limit Indoor Gatherings. If you travel to high-risk states, you’ll need to either obtain a negative COVID test 72 hours before returning to Massachusetts or remain in quarantine for 10 days or until you get a negative test. And for families looking for fun local activities during vacation week, see what the city and local organizations have planned at finditcambridge.org.

We want to send kudos to teachers and students at our High School Extension Program, featured in a recent Boston Globe article, which highlights the ways teachers are getting creative and students are thriving with remote learning. We also want to send a shout out to Cambridge school librarians Kendall Boniti, Emily Houston and Liz Phipps Soeiro, who were honored by the Massachusetts School Library Association.

Below, you’ll find additional details about:

  1. COVID-19 Vaccine Update
  2. FY22 Budget Meetings
  3. Important Dates & Upcoming Meetings/Events

Sincerely,

Kenneth N. Salim, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Updates

1. COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: See the Cambridge Public Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine information page. According to the state’s vaccine distribution timeline, we know K-12 workers are on the priority list for Phase Two, which has a timeframe of February to April.

2. FY22 Budget Meetings: CPS is planning next year’s budget, which will focus on our overarching goal of all students recovering and thriving. The CPS staff and community are invited to participate in upcoming budget meetings, where we will ask you to share your ideas on how CPS should use its resources to understand and address students’ academic and social-emotional/mental health needs following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advance registration is required due to enhanced Zoom security needs.

  • Meeting for staff: Feb. 10, 3PM or 4PM (register by 2:30PM)
  • Meeting for community: Feb. 11, 5:30PM (register by 5PM)

3. Important Dates & Upcoming Meetings/Events

  • February 9: Joint Roundtable with School Committee and City Council on FY22 Budget and
  • School Committee Special Meeting on Superintendent Search Timeline
  • February 10: Community Budget Meeting for Staff. Register here >>
  • February 11: Community Budget Meeting. Register here >>
  • February 15 - 19: NO SCHOOL, February break
  • February 22: NO SCHOOL, Staff Planning Day
  • March 1: Expanded In-Person Learning begins
  • March 2: Regular School Committee meeting
  • April 1: Cambridge Science Festival kicks off; Students and adults can submit entries. Learn more HERE.
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