Message from G&P Family Liaison
Lauren Morse
Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year at Graham & Parks Alternative Elementary School! Whether you have a brand new student, or have been part of the Graham & Parks community for years, the beginning of the school year can be an overwhelming time. There are big transitions, like starting Kindergarten or starting school in this country for the first time. There are also smaller, but still significant, transitions like getting to know a new teacher, making new friends, and learning new routines. My mother reminded me recently that when I was a child, I used to start each year with some serious trepidation. And each year, around Parent Teacher Conference time, my teachers would announce with pride that they were able to “get me out of my shell.” And yet, each September I’d go back in that shell, cautious at first, until I felt comfortable enough to come out again. We know, at Graham & Parks, that students arrive the first week of school full of emotion, a overwhelming mix of anticipation, glee, fear, excitement, anxiety, and sadness about the end of summer and everything in between. We feel those feelings, too! September is a time of new beginnings, for everyone in the school community. Read more >>



Get Connected! 
There are many ways to stay in touch with the G&P Community!

School Messenger
Everyone should be getting emails directly from the school (usually from Tony or Lauren) with school updates. If you are not, please call or stop by the Main Office to verify your contact information.

Backpack Express
Notices are sent home in your child’s backpack from school or local organizations to keep families up to date. Don’t forget to check your child’s backpack every night!

Newsletter and Email Updates
Take a moment to read the monthly newsletters and weekly email updates from Lauren Morse, G&P Family Liaison to find out what’s happening at G&P.

GP21
Receive and exchange messages with G&P families, alumnae and staff, particularly about Cambridge events and opportunities. To sign up: Send an email to [email protected] explaining your connection to G&P (i.e. parent of a 2nd grader).

G&P Web Site
Grahamandparks.cpsd.us. Great resource for Family Handbook, school calendars and staff directory.

Facebook
Like us on Facebook to get updates from the School! www.facebook.com/grahamandparks


                                    
Volunteering at G&P 
We need you! Here are a few ways to get involved...If you would like to join any committee or would like more information, please fill out the green Volunteering Form or contact Lauren at [email protected] or 617.349.6577.

The G&P Steering Committee
The G&P Steering Committee, which represents both staff and parents, is the policy-making body of the school. The Steering Committee monitors and provides feedback on matters affecting the entire school, including the School Improvement Plan, school policies and procedures and more. The Steering Committee meets once per month on the second Thursday from 5:30-7:30PM. Childcare is available, upon request. The meetings are open to the G&P community and families are welcome (and encouraged!) to come, observe and participate. Elections for the 5 parent representatives on the Steering Committee are in September. Please consider running! This is your chance to learn more about your child’s school and have a voice in the decisions that impact your child and the entire school. Our goal is to have a Steering Committee that represents the diversity of our school and includes our Sheltered English Immersion and Language-Based Learning Disability Programs. If you are interested in the Steering Committee, please contact Lauren to find out more.

Friends of G&P
The Friends of G&P organizes school events and raises money for teachers to cover the costs of enriching curriculum projects, including field trips, visits from guest experts, costumes for performances, consumables for artistic products, etc. The first meeting of the year is Friday, September 8th at 8:30AM in the Main Lobby. All are welcome!

Room Parents
Each fall, one or more parent volunteers to be a Room Parent for each classroom. These parents can help the classroom teacher in many ways such as creating classroom contact lists, organizing potlucks, communicating with families, recruiting field trip chaperones, and organizing class gifts. We are also seeking Room Parents for the Family Liaisons, Physical Education, Library, Music and Art. If you are interested in being a Room Parent, please speak with your child’s teacher and sign up on the sheet outside your child’s classroom. The Room Parent Orientation is Thursday, September 13th from 5-5:30PM OR Friday, September 14th at 8:30AM. If you are not able to attend either orientation, we can easily send you the information and go over it another time.

Family Cultural Exchange Program (FCEP)
This parent-run committee seeks to support new families’ experiences at our school and to facilitate a mutually beneficial exchange between families new to the US and local families already at G&P. They usually meet once per month at a local coffee shop to exchange ideas and get to know each other. The first FCEP Coffee is Friday, October 12th at 8:30AM.

Garden Committee
This committee works with CitySprouts to engage students and families with the garden. We need help maintaining our gorgeous gardens in the courtyard and around the building.

Compost/Recycling Committee
Our school composts food scraps and recycles our empty containers in the cafeteria. When students start school in September they'll need help remembering (or learning for the first time if they are new) “what goes where.” Please consider joining us at a few school breakfasts and/or lunches at the start of the school year. Email Meryl at the Dept of Public Works at [email protected] to learn more! If you know someone who isn’t a parent/guardian who might be interested, please share this opportunity with them! Thank you!

After-School Options at G&P and throughout Cambridge 

The Dragonfly After-school Program 
This privately-run program provides childcare from 2:25 – 5:45PM, for 39 grade K – 4 students, who are at least age 5 in September. Dragonfly is now full for the 2018-2019 school year. Contact Director Jodi Rich to be added to the waitlist at [email protected] or 617.547.1116 or check out the website. 

Linnaean Community School
This program is part of the citywide enrichment programs run by the Department of Human Services. Many interesting classes are offered for children and adults on afternoons and evenings. There are three sessions during the school year and a summer camp. Linnaean Community School Enrichment begins on Monday Sept. 17th. Registration will be Tuesday, Sept. 11th at 5:30PM. For more information, contact Director Mary Ellen Breen at [email protected] or 617.349.6267.

Other After-school Options
There are many after-school programs in Cambridge. Go to finditcambridge.org to find out more. Although busing your child to an afterschool program or other destination is not part of the busing service, we try to accommodate your child provided seats are available. Arrangements need to be made through the School Operations Manager at 617.349.6577 x152. The classroom teacher must also be notified.

G&P Contacts