FMA’s preschool scholars had a cooking day in the library. They made homemade pancakes! After reading picture books with pancakes as the main theme, I was inspired to extend this theme by actually making pancakes with these students. Throughout the unit, students learned how maple syrup is made, what recipes and ingredients are and the utensils that were needed to make our pancakes and some cooking terms. (I also incorporated a mini science lesson by talking about what ingredients in our recipe were liquids and solids and how the batter (liquid) turned into a solid (pancake) after being cooked.) I created picture cards of the utensils and ingredients and displayed them in the order that we were using them. Therefore, students were aware of what went first, second, next, etc.

With the most grateful assistance from preschool TA, Gaetane Joseph, two groups were created and students identified utensils and ingredients and started measuring, mixing and creating the batter! Keeping a safe distance from the griddle, students observed how to pour the batter and looked for the little bubbles that appear on the top -- that’s the signal to flip! Best of all, students got to eat their pancakes with butter and maple syrup as well as share with Principal Harris and other members of our school community. Our activity was a success! Our students were so proud of themselves and excited to participate in a cooking activity at school! Smoothies next?

From the Health Office

Flu season is reaching its peak. Typical signs and symptoms of flu include fever, cough, muscle aches, and chills. Keep your child home from school if they feel sick, especially with fever, and contact your pediatrician or nurse practitioner for fever that lasts more than a day. If your child has had a fever over 100.4 F/38C, they should stay home until they have a normal temperature for 24 hours without medicine to lower it.

Recent news reports have given much attention to the recent coronavirus. Although the virus has not been reported in Cambridge, many people have questions about illness from this virus. Cambridge Public Schools and the Cambridge Department of Public Health have sent a letter to families with information about the virus. Remember that one of the best ways to prevent spread of any virus is good handwashing. If you have any questions about either the flu virus or coronavirus, check the Centers for Disease Control website for full information. (Flu | Coronavirus)

100th Day Celebration

We celebrated the 100th Day of School on Wednesday, January 12th. To celebrate this milestone, FMA students participated in many interactive activities. We counted over 3,000 beans, hopped to 100 by 10’s, created pattern bracelets with 10 beads, created designs using 100 legos, stacked 100 red cups, wrote 100 words, made equations that equal 100, created marshmallow and toothpick structures, and many more…... Fun was had by
ALL!! (Our 5th grade helpers were amazing!)

Notes from the FMA Makerspace

Any student or parent is welcome to stop by the makerspace to work and play with LEGOs, help Mr. Hebard (aka Mr. H) with a K’nex or LEGO project, or come up with ideas for the marble chute projects in the room. Mr. H is in the makerspace between 4:15PM and 5:35PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Mr Hebard would like to acknowledge the projects completed by the following students:

• Nelia Magni: Volkswagen bus replica
• Elisabeth LaRouche, Eliza Penterman: Vernie the BOOST Robot
• Ava Murphy-Johnson [1st grade]: K’nex amusement park swing

Principal Hiring Committee

The search for our next school principal is underway. The FMA principal hiring committee, a group composed of five staff members, four family members and district administrators, has been convened. Over the next month this group will interview a selection of candidates and make their recommendations to superintendent Salim, who will then make the final decision. The FMA school community is excited to have the opportunity to contribute to this process that will significantly impact our school and community. The FMA members of the community are below:

Stacie Calixte (family member)
Lovette Curry (family member)
Emely Diaz (family member)
Margot Iverson (family member)
Jeff Jardin (staff)
Aishah Abdul-Musawwir (staff)
Banke Oluwole (staff)
Kelly Powell (faculty)
Daniel Skeritt (staff)

FMA Courageous Conversations

The FMA Courageous Conversations group will be meeting this coming Monday (March 9) to continue our multi-stakeholder equity work. Family, faculty, staff and community members will meet from 6-8PM in the FMA library to discuss how we can build student and faculty capacity to engage with and address matters of equity in the classroom, school and community. We welcome everyone to the meeting. If you’d like to attend and/or would like to bring food for the 5:30PM potluck please contact Uche.

2020 Family Survey Available Online

Many of you filled out the Cambridge Public School Family Survey last year to help us learn more about your experiences with the Cambridge Public Schools. Thank you! The Family Survey for 2020 is now available in over 10 languages. We invite you to please fill it out at your earliest convenience. Your feedback will contribute to our ongoing efforts to learn, improve, and support better outcomes for all students. 

Fill out the survey online and find more information >>

Happy National Nutrition Month!

Did you know that students who eat breakfast may see increases in their concentration and test scores? Students who regularly eat breakfast also have fewer behavioral issues in the classroom and fewer tardy days. Cambridge schools offer FREE complete breakfast (i.e., a hot meal, fruit and milk) to all students. Maybe it’s time your family gave it a try? Find school menus here >>

School Breakfast Week & World Food Taste Party

Food & Nutrition Services invites you to join us in celebrating National School Breakfast Week March 2nd - 6th, with an Out of This Country theme. Our theme coincides with World Language Week, in which kitchens will be featuring cultural dishes from around the world at lunch. 

FMA Events & Announcements

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