Update from the Superintendent: May 19, 2020

Update from the Superintendent: May 19, 2020
Posted on 05/19/2020
Dear CPS Community -

I hope this message finds you and your family in good health. We are writing to share updates on some of the questions we have been receiving, including some areas where we are still in the process of developing final plans on many fronts. I continue to appreciate your resilience, flexibility, and partnership during these unprecedented times.

Food sites closed for Memorial Day: CPS food sites will not serve food on Monday, May 25, as CPS is closed for Memorial Day.

CPS program will run its Summer 2020 programs virtually: We know that families are eager to know the available options for summer child care and programs. We are all eager for students to have opportunities beyond the screen for activity, enrichment, and fun. We all share the concern about learning loss, which under normal circumstances, can be exacerbated over the summer. Given the current public health uncertainties, and the need to plan, hire for, and implement summer programming, CPS is currently planning to conduct its summer programs virtually. We are continuing to explore possible options for meaningful summer experiences that can be conducted virtually and safely. We plan to provide more information about summer experiences very soon.

CPS Taskforce and Working Groups: CPS is in the process of establishing a COVID-19 taskforce and several working groups to develop detailed plans for the reopening of schools. We are looking for individuals that bring expertise in and/or diverse perspectives to inform our efforts. We welcome community suggestions for individuals to participate in these efforts. If you are interested in participating, or want to nominate others, please use this form.

Retrieving Student Belongings: CPS is working with local officials to finalize a plan to retrieve students’ belongings that may still be in school buildings. More information to come soon.

Tobin/Vassal Lane Construction Project: The City Manager’s office has announced that due to unforeseeable impacts caused by the state’s shutdown of non-essential services, the relocation of the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper schools has been postponed until the December 2020 school vacation, and the opening of the reconstructed school has been delayed to January 2025, after the winter school break.

Funds for Food: Many Cambridge families are eligible to receive funding to pay for food through a new program called P-EBT (Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer), while schools are closed due to COVID-19. Eligible families should receive information by mail from the Department of Transitional Assistance. More information here in multiple languages.

Apply for Free/Reduced Price Meals: Families that have recently lost income or jobs may be newly eligible for the CPS Free- or Reduced-Price Meals program, which will allow you to be eligible for future rounds of P-EBT and other resources. Click here to apply.

Sincerely,

Kenneth N. Salim, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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