Know Your Rights

At Cambridge Public Schools, we believe that children are entitled to an educational environment that is free from fear. Our community is fortunate to have over 2,000 teachers and staff members fiercely committed to maintaining school communities that are safe, supportive, and affirming places to learn and grow.

Immigration and Non-Discrimination Resources for Families and Staff
At Cambridge Public Schools, our student population is richly diverse. Our students represent the rich racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity of the City of Cambridge. elevating the critical importance of centering equity in education. CPS is deeply committed to centering equity in education, and providing a high quality academic experience for every student. To do so, we must create a safe and welcoming environment for all families, students, and staff district-wide.

Our Commitment to Student Privacy:
CPS does not voluntarily release students or their records to anyone other than their parents and guardians. We are supported in this position by our ongoing partnership with local law enforcement and city leaders.

School Resources:
If your student needs extra support, our dedicated team of counselors, social workers, psychologists, and bilingual liaisons are here to assist. Please contact your school’s main office for assistance in connecting with our network of professionals.

Language Support:
The City of Cambridge Multilingual Helpline allows residents to access services and resources offered by the city in their preferred language with the assistance of professional language interpreters.

To access the service, callers can follow a few simple steps:

• Call 617.865.2273, and select a preferred language, or wait for assistance from a vendor representative.
• Once connected with an interpreter, callers can address their request or question, and the interpreter will remain on the line until the City Department addresses their question or concern or refers them to another community organization.*

*If an interpreter is unavailable, callers are encouraged to leave a message, and a follow-up call will be scheduled as soon as an interpreter becomes available.

The Multilingual Helpline can be reached at 617.865.2273 on weekdays during business hours.

Community Resources:

• Emergency Planning for Parents with Uncertain Immigration Status: Guide & Fact Sheet (translations)
• City of Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship
• CPS Administrative Guidelines on Student Records Protection
• Family Preparedness Packet - Massachusetts Legal Services
• Lawyers for Civil Rights Immigrant Defense
• Massachusetts Attorney General Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA)
• CPS Administrative Guidelines on Name and Pronoun Usage
• DESE Guidance on Non-Discrimination Based on Gender Identity
• Student Transgender Rights links to laws and protections (GLAD)

District Communication:

• Letter to CPS community, April 2025
• Memo to CPS staff RE: ICE protocols, January 2025
• Letter to CPS community RE: Welcoming Schools, January 2025
• Letter to CPS community RE: federal policy changes, February 2025

Office of Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

• About the Office of Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
• Who We Are

Inaugural Equity Plan & Key Initiatives

Centering Youth

• Youth Equity Summit
• Other Youth Centered Initiatives

Staff Professional Learning & Development

• Staff Professional Learning & Development
• School-Based Equity Teams
• Equity-Based Resources

Family & Community Engagement

• The Village
• Know Your Rights: Info for Families
• The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Multipartner Collaborations

• Equity Collaborative
• Welcoming Schools
• Speakfully: Incident Reporting System
• School Council Handbook (pdf)