Dear Families,
As you know, last year, CPS began looking at the issue of quality learning and professional time, including the possibility of a longer school day. Research through the Elementary Program Review and Joint Labor Management Group were followed by a number of meetings held with schools and community partners. We had our Amigos meeting with Superintendent Salim and Assistant Superintendent MacDonald this past June. This year, the district is continuing a design and feedback process that will include educators, students, families, administrators, and community partners to develop specific proposal for how schools can optimize resources both within the existing school day, and if more time were available. The goal is to treat this as a thorough design process where all stakeholders can authentically engage with the issues, leading to thoughtful decision making. The results of this process are not predetermined, but one possible outcome could be policy changes that would have an impact on school schedules. Any proposal on that scale would include one full year of planning time in SY 2019-2020 before any changes would take effect for SY 2020-2021.
Next week, you will be receiving our Amigos School handbook. We hope that our handbook will provide you with important information, guidelines and policies about our school and further work to strengthen the communication between home and school. There will be one handbook sent home per family.
This weekend the 8th graders and their families are having a bake sale at the Head of the Charles Regatta to raise funds for their spring trip to NYC. If you have plans to watch the rowing, please stop by their table at the corner of JFK Street and Memorial Drive (across from Harvard's Weld Boathouse at 971 Memorial Drive). They will have water and other beverages for sale as well.
I hope to see you all at our Latino Heritage Celebration tonight from 6-8PM.
FOA will provide childcare and activities for Amigos students ages 4 and above. For childcare and activities please RSVP with your name, your child’s name and grade, and a cell number where you can be reached during the event.
For their safety, children must remain with parents at all times or participate in classroom activities. Students must not be outside of the school building without supervision.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation!
Sincerely,
Sarah Bartels-Marrero
Principal
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Estimadas Familias,
Como mucho de ustedes saben, el año pasado, las Escuelas Públicas de Cambridge comenzaron a considerar el tema del aprendizaje de calidad y el tiempo profesional, incluyendo la posibilidad de un día escolar más largo. La investigación a través de la Revisión del Programa de Educación Primaria y el Grupo de Administración Conjunta del Trabajo fueron seguidos por una serie de reuniones con las escuelas y l@s soci@s de la comunidad. Tuvimos nuestra reunión de Amigos con el Superintendente Salim y el Asistente del Superintendente MacDonald el pasado junio. Este año, el distrito continúa un proceso de diseño y retroalimentación que incluirá a educadores, estudiantes, familias, administradores y soci@s de la comunidad para desarrollar propuestas específicas sobre cómo las escuelas pueden optimizar los recursos tanto dentro del día escolar existente como si hubiera más tiempo disponible. El objetivo es tratar ésto como un proceso de diseño exhaustivo en el que todas las partes interesadas puedan participar auténticamente en los temas, lo que conduce a una toma de decisiones reflexiva. Los resultados de este proceso no están predeterminados, pero un posible resultado podría ser cambios en las políticas que tendrían un impacto en los horarios escolares. Cualquier propuesta de esa escala incluiría un año completo de tiempo de planificación en 2019-2020 antes de que cualquier cambio entrase en vigor para el año académico 2020-2021.
La próxima semana, ustedes recibirán nuestro manual de la Escuela Amigos. Esperamos que nuestro manual les provea con información importante, guías y políticas acerca de nuestra escuela y que sirva para fortalecer la comunicación entre el hogar y la escuela. Se enviará un manual a casa por familia.
Este fin de semana, l@s alumn@s de octavo grado y sus familias van a tener una venta de galletas y postres en la Regata "Head of the Charles” para recaudar fondos para su viaje a la ciudad de Nueva York. Si usted tiene planes de ver el remo, por favor pase por su mesa en la esquina de JFK Street y Memorial Drive (frente a la Weld Boathouse de Harvard en 971 Memorial Drive). Tendrán agua y otras bebidas a la venta también.
Espero verl@s a tod@s en la Celebración de la Herencia Latina esta noche de 6-8PM. FOA proveerá cuidado de niñ@s y actividades para l@s estudiantes de Amigos de 4 años en adelante. Para cuidado de niñ@s y actividades por favor RSVP a [email protected] con su nombre, el nombre y grado de su hij@ y un número de celular donde usted pueda ser localizad@ durante el evento.
Para su seguridad, l@s niñ@s deben permanecer con l@s padres/madres/guardianes en todo momento o participar en las actividades del salón de clases. L@s estudiantes no deben estar fuera del edificio de la escuela sin supervisión.
¡Le agradecemos de antemano su colaboración!
Atentamente,
Sarah Bartels-Marrero
Directora
Recordatorios
El Día de Fotos Escolares es el lunes, 22 de octubre!
Todos l@s padres, madres o guardianes deben completar un formulario CORI con al menos 2 semanas de anticipación antes de acompañar las excursiones o trabajar de voluntari@s en la escuela.
Algunos padres/madres/guardianes de Amigos tienen un Yahoo! Group con anuncios y conversaciones sobre la escuela. Para unirse pueden visitar la pagina http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amigos_school/ y solicitar la inscripcion.
Lillian Rater, ofrecerá horas de oficina. Éstas serán por cita previa los martes y viernes de 9AM a 11PM. Pueden contactarla en [email protected] o al 617.349.6315.
Reminders
Chaperoning Field Trips
All parents must fill out a CORI form at least 2 weeks in advance before chaperoning field trips or volunteering in the school.
Parent-Run Yahoo Group
Amigos parents run a Yahoo! Group for announcements and discussions related to the school. You can join by visiting the website and requesting membership.
National School Lunch Week is October 15 – 19 ! Show your love on Friday, October 19th with a heart-colored or –themed shirt, and earn a fun sticker!
Lillian Rater, will be offering office hours. Her office hours will be by appointment on Tuesdays and Fridays 9 - 11AM. You can contact her or at 617.349.6315.
Hopes and dreams for the 8th graders.
Connect With Us / Conéctense
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CPS Events & Outside Opportunities
STEAM it Up!
October 25 | 6 - 8PM
Rindge Avenue Upper School, 70 Rindge Ave.
Have you ever wanted to hack electronics? Maybe you'd like to create and launch a zip line car? If this sounds like fun and you'd like to spend some great family time having pizza and learning together then come to STEAM IT Up. View event details >>
Mental Health Awareness Night
Parents, guardians, youth workers, teens who work with youth, and anyone else who has love and investment for our youth to please join us at Rindge Avenue Upper Campus (RAUC) on Friday Night, 10/26 at 7PM for a Mental Health Awareness Night. There will be free food!
Currently we have two amazing guest speakers: Alice Cohen, CPS Social and Emotional Learning Lead Teacher, will be talking about attachment and self regulation in adolescence. Building competency and independence while maintaining family relationships. She will talk about making meaning of behavior, keeping relational lines open, dealing with our own worries while parenting, and what to do if sudden concerning changes occur. David G. Stewart, PhD., ABPP, Chief of Psychology Department of Psychiatry from Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School will present on adolescent substance as well as emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents.
Immigration Legal Screening Clinics
3rd Wednesday each month, 5:15-7:15PM
Free consultations with an immigration attorney for Massachusetts immigrants and their families
Community Legal Services & Counseling Center (CLSACC)
90 Third St., Cambridge
617.349.4396; [email protected]
See flyer >>
Cambridge Affordable Housing Information Sessions
Learn about the eligibility requirements and application process for the following programs Cambridge Rental and Homeownership Programs: Inclusionary Housing Rental Program for studios, 1BR, 2BR, & 3BR units
throughout Cambridge, Homeowner Resale Pool, First-Time Homebuyer Workshop, Downpayment Assistance, and HomeBridge. Open to all. No RSVP Necessary. Learn more >>
Rep. Katherine Clark – Cambridge Office Hours
Hosted by Rep. Clark's Immigration Issues Liaison Katie Worley
3rd Thursday each month, 3-4PM
Cambridge City Hall, 795 Mass Ave. (Mayor's Office, 2nd fl)
Staff will be on site to answer questions about immigration benefits, USCIS cases, Passports, and more. If you have questions or need assistance outside of scheduled hours, please do not hesitate to contact our district office:
701 Concord Ave., Suite 101, Cambridge, MA 02138
617.354.0292, katherineclark.house.gov
Cambridge Flu Clinics
The flu (influenza) can be a serious illness. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from influenza is for all adults and children over 6 months old to get a flu shot every year. Cambridge Public Health is offering free flu shots at:
- Kennedy-Longfellow School - Wednesday, October 24 from 5:30 - 7:30PM in the cafeteria
- Peabody School - Wednesday, November 7 from 5:30 - 7:30PM in the gym.
There is no charge, but please bring your health insurance card if possible. For more information and the full list of flu clinics, visit our website or call the recorded flu clinic info line, 617.665.3855.
Cambridge Bicycle Safety
Does your child bike to school? Do you bike with your child to school? Would you or your child like to get around by bike but feel it is not safe?
Cambridge Bicycle Safety is an all-volunteer group of Cambridge residents who are asking for safer bike lanes and a complete network of protected lanes throughout Cambridge. Separated lanes in the last two years--Cambridge, Brattle and sections of Mass Ave--have been the result of people in the community organizing. But we need more voices.
We are looking for stories of parents and their children who bike or would like to bike. If you have a story and want to learn more, email us.
National School Lunch Week
National School Lunch Week was October 15th – 19th! This is the first year Cambridge Public Schools participated, and we loved to show students there is ‘Lots 2 Love’ about school meals! 30 million students enjoy healthy lunches every school day in the U.S. We had lucky tray giveaways, cultural meals, and special guest servers that week. Students showed their love on Friday with a heart-colored or –themed shirt, and earned a fun sticker!
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