Dear Families,

Please remember that there is no parking in the bus lane in front of the school during arrival and dismissal times. Lately there have been many families parking in front of the building particularly in the mornings. It may seem like just a few minutes but it does make for a more challenging arrival. Our buses need to load and unload, and cannot do so if cars are parked in the bus lane. With the snow on the horizon sure to make the Cambridge streets more challenging, I ask that you please follow this policy as it is posted.

Today, our 6th-8th graders were fortunate to have Dr. Ulrich Johnson come to speak with them about non-violence and race in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Ulrich is an educator, licensed mental health clinician, youth and family advocate and community organizer. He is also an expert on Dr. King. Through his presentation, he encouraged our middle school students to continue Dr. King’s work and to respect the tenents of non-violence. I thank Dr. Johnson for his visit to Amigos and for inspiring our young people.

As many of you know, a group of parents hold a Math Olympiad class every Wednesday morning at Amigos. This year for the first time, some of our older students participated in the American Mathematics Contest better known as the AMC 8. With the results in, I am happy to share with you that Amigos made it on their school merit roll and two of our students, Charlotte Younger and Sebastián Prasanna, made Distinguished Honor Roll. Please join me in congratulating them and all the students who participated in this contest. To learn more about AMC please visit their web page.

Those of us who are bilingual know that our lives would be different if we weren’t. Many parents think about how studying at Amigos will change their children’s lives but they are not sure what that will look like. Today I am sharing with you an article written by a former Amigos student, Nora Spicer. Nora graduated from Amigos in 2006 and has been working in a migrant shelter in El Paso, Texas for the past few months. Her account of what she is living and experiencing is powerful. Regardless of where you stand on politics, her article shares an important personal and humanitarian account of what life along the border is looking like these days and I encourage you to read it. As Nora’s mother wrote, “Amigos gave Nora the language skills and cultural awareness to be able to do the work she is doing now and she is very grateful!” We here at Amigos couldn’t be prouder.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Sincerely,

Sarah Bartels-Marrero
Principal

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Estimadas familias,

Por favor recuerden que no hay estacionamiento en el carril de autobuses frente a la escuela durante las horas de llegada y salida. Últimamente, han habido muchas familias estacionando frente al edificio, particularmente en las mañanas. Puede parecer que son sólo unos minutos, pero esto hace que la llegada de buses sea más difícil. Nuestros autobuses necesitan cargar y descargar, y no pueden hacerlo si los carros están estacionados en el carril de autobuses. Con la llegada de la nieve que seguramente hará que las calles de Cambridge sean más desafiantes, les pido que por favor sigan esta política a medida que se publique.

Hoy, nuestr@s alumn@s de la escuela intermedia tuvieron la suerte de que el Dr. Ulrich Johnson viniera a hablar con ell@s sobre la no violencia y la raza en honor del Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. El Dr. Ulrich es un educador, clínico de salud mental con licencia, defensor de la juventud y la familia y organizador de la comunidad. También es un experto en el Dr. King. A través de su presentación, animó a nuestr@s estudiantes a continuar el trabajo del Dr. King y a respetar los principios de la no violencia. Agradezco al Dr. Johnson por su visita a Amigos y por inspirar a nuestros jóvenes.

Como muchos de ustedes saben, un grupo de padres tienen una clase de matemáticas llamada “Olimpiada matemática” todos los miércoles por la mañana en Amigos. Este año por primera vez, algun@s de nuestr@s estudiantes mayores participaron en el Concurso Americano de Matemáticas más conocido como el AMC 8. Según los resultados publicados, estoy feliz de compartir con ustedes que Amigos logró llegar a la lista de méritos y dos de nuestr@s estudiantes, Charlotte Younger y Sebastián Prasanna, lograron la Lista de Honor Distinguida. Por favor, únanse a mí para felicitarl@s a ell@s y a todos l@s estudiantes que participaron en este concurso. Para obtener más información sobre AMC, visiten su página web.

Aquell@s de nosotr@s que somos bilingües sabemos que nuestras vidas serían diferentes si no lo fuéramos. Muchos padres piensan en cómo estudiar en Amigos cambiará la vida de sus hij@s, pero no están seguros de cómo será. Hoy estoy compartiendo con ustedes un artículo escrito por una ex-alumna de Amigos, Nora Spicer. Nora se graduó de Amigos en 2006 y ha estado trabajando en un refugio para migrantes en El Paso, Texas durante los últimos meses. Su relato de lo que está viviendo y experimentando es poderoso. Independientemente de su posición política, su artículo comparte un importante relato personal y humanitario de cómo se ve la vida a lo largo de la frontera en estos días y les animo a que lo lean. Como escribió la madre de Nora: "Amigos le dio a Nora las habilidades lingüísticas y la conciencia cultural para poder hacer el trabajo que está haciendo ahora y está muy agradecida". Aquí en Amigos no podríamos estar más orgullos@s.

¡Qué tengan un maravilloso fin de semana largo!

Sinceramente,

Sarah Bartels-Marrero
Directora

Reminders
Friends of Amigos
FOA is looking for a new treasurer. Please let us know if you are interested. 

School Schedules
READ HERE: Questions and Answers About School Schedules

Afterschool Registration
After School Registration Starts! See schedule

Volunteer
Sign up to help in the cafeteria! Helping Hands.

New Playground
Read our rules about the new playground!

Amigos Store
Our first Amigos Store is up and running! If you’ve had your eye on an Amigos sweatshirt, bag or sticker, please visit El mercado de Amigos to order yours now.

Chaperoning
All parents must fill out a CORI form at least 2 weeks in advance before chaperoning field trips or volunteering in the school.

Family Liaison
Lillian Rater, will be offering office hours. Her office hours will be by appointment on Tuesdays and Fridays 9 - 11AM. You can contact her by email or at 617.349.6315.

Recordatorios
FOA está buscando un nuevo tesorero! Favor de dejarnos saber si le interesa.

LEAN AQUÍ: Preguntas y respuestas sobre los horarios escolares de las Escuelas Públicas de Cambridge

Registración para el programa después de escuela. Vea el horario aquí

Lean las reglas para el nuevo patio de recreo

Sign up to help in the cafeteria! Helping Hands.

¡Nuestra primera tienda Amigos ya está abierta!
Si usted ha tenido el ojo puesto en una sudadera, bolsa o pegatina de Amigos, por favor visite El mercado de Amigos para ordenar la suya ahora.

Formulario CORI
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.

Family Liaison
Lillian Rater, ofrecerá horas de oficina. Éstas serán por cita previa los martes y viernes de 9 a 11AM. Pueden contactarla en [email protected] o al 617.349.6315.

CRLS Information Night for Rising 9th
Grade Families
Thursday, January 24, 2019
RSTA Tech Expo Drop-In | 5–6PM | CRLS Main Cafeteria
CRLS Information Night | 6–7:30PM | CRLS Arts Building
Come learn about the exciting & engaging opportunities in academics, arts, athletics, and extra curricula offered at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School.

The evening will start with the RSTA (Rindge School of Technical Arts) walk-through in the Main Cafeteria, followed by a presentation from Principal Smith in the Arts Building Auditorium. Families will also breakout into smaller group sessions with guidance counselors, deans, parents, and current CRLS students. Students can stay with parents or join current CRLS STARS students and mentors for a student-only presentation.

A mailing with CRLS Learning Community & Guidance Counselor assignments will be sent out a week before the event.

For more information, please contact Greta Hardina, CRLS Family Liaison, at 617.349.6660 or Email Greta.



Rindge Avenue Upper Campus Presents
Speaker Series for Parents
Friday, January 25, 2019 | 6 - 8PM
Nearly half of students in grades 7-12 reported experiencing sexual harassment in the previous year and 87% describe negative effects such as absenteeism and poor sleep. And more than ever before, socializing, exploring identity, and dating often occur between texts and social media, raising new challenges and positive opportunities. How can we as parents mentor our children to engage in healthy behaviors? How can we foster their confidence and capacity to solve problems and build their independence, while at the same time providing appropriate support and supervision as adults? If you have a child currently in grade 6-9 AND/OR this information would be beneficial for you, we invite you to join us. Participate in this interactive workshop and come away with new resources, skills and perspectives for you and your family. View the Flyer >>

MLK Day of Service Opportunity in Cambridge on Monday 1/21
On Monday, January 21, Cambridge City Hall will be hosting a community event from 2-5PM. Attendees will have an opportunity to make fleece scarves, blankets, valentines and sort food. Register here and don’t go empty handed! Take along a can of food, winter clothes or a children's book. All ages welcome! View flyer here. 

Connect With Us / Conéctense
Facebook | Twitter | District Social Media

In Our Community
What are you doing after school this winter? 
The Winter/Spring Resource Guide, compiled by the Middle School Network, gathers together the MANY options for outside of school opportunities for middle school students (grades 6-8). It includes many year long programs (that young people join at all different points of the year) and a lot of unique programming for just Winter and Spring: sports, media, academic help, leadership and even some early job opportunities for older kids! To see about signing up and getting started in any of these opportunities, contact Mariel Santos Dugan.

Intent vs. Impact: Exploring Microaggressions and Tools for Change
Saturday, January 26 | 12Noon - 2PM
CRLS Main Cafeteria
Join us for a city-wide community workshop on understanding implicit bias and macro/microaggressions. View the flyer >>

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 >>