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Need this newsletter translated? Please contact the Bilingual/World Languages Department at 617.349.6468. Questions about the G&P newsletter? Please contact Lauren Morse.
Dear G&P Families,
Three more days of school and it will be time for a rejuvenating winter break for all students and staff. The last day of school in 2021 is this Thursday, December 23rd. It is a full day and school will be dismissed at 2:25pm.
Please remember to thank your children’s teachers who continue to go above and beyond in being present and keeping your students focused on learning while following safety precautions during this global pandemic.
Recently at our December Steering Committee meeting, we reflected on where we were as a community this time last year. Some of our classrooms were remote and vaccinations were still in development. As we approach the end of 2021, we are proud to look around our school and see a community of teachers and students who have been working hard to learn and grow.
To celebrate this hard work, we are looking forward to a “Snuggly Day” this coming Thursday, December 23rd. We invite all students to wear comfortable clothes and bring one cozy item to school with them that fits in their backpack. For example, students can bring a small stuffed animal or a small pillow.
For many, this time of year is filled with celebrations. Though our celebrations may continue to look different this year, we hope that everyone is able to find moments of joy over the break.
We wish everyone a safe and happy New Year! See you in 2022!
Best,
Claudie & Jen
Reminder: COVID-19 Travel Policies
Making travel plans for winter break? Please make sure to check the recently updated district COVID-19 safety guidelines below for domestic and international travel. Note that if your child is not vaccinated and travels internationally, they must quarantine for 7-10 days depending on testing before returning to school.
The Graham & Parks Annual Season of Giving!
We are collecting Gift Cards from Market Basket, Star Market or Target for G&P families in need. Thank you so much to the families who have already given so generously!
If you would like to participate, please donate the Gift Cards by Wednesday, Dec. 22nd:
--Send them in your child’s folder or give them to the teacher
--Bring them to the G&P Main Entrance (ring the bell)
--Mail them to G&P, 44 Linnaean St, Cambridge MA 02138
If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Morse, G&P Family Liaison at [email protected] or 857-529-0336 or Mildrid Gedeon, SEI Family Liaison, [email protected].
We hope you all have a wonderful winter break. Stay warm!
-Lauren and Mildrid
Book Joy by G&P Librarians, Ann Niederkorn and Jen Mason Stott
 With the first snow, I was reminded of how many children’s books there are about sleepy farms, hibernating bears, and lost mittens. But so many of our students - and us! - come from warmer places, and snow and cold are new. That’s why I love A Sled for Gabo, by Emma Otheguy and Ana Ramírez González. Gabo’s family is new in town, having moved from somewhere warm. He is excited to play and make a new friend, but he is missing so many things - warm socks, boots, a hat that fits, a sled. Luckily, his ingenious mami, aunt, and generous neighbors help out, tying plastic bags over sneakers and giving him a new “sled” (a cafeteria tray). And with that sled, he makes his first friend! The author, Emma Otheguy, has bonus materials for kids and teachers on her website.
 Dream Street was released just last week and it is GORGEOUS! It is written by Tricia Elam Walker and illustrated by Ekua Holmes, who currently has an exhibit at the MFA Boston showcasing her stunning collages. Walker and Holmes are cousins who grew up together in Roxbury. Dream Street is their tribute to their neighbors and the strength and beauty of the nurturing community that supported them as they pursued their own dreams. Recently, several classes were able to attend a special Zoom presentation by Walker and Holmes as they read their book aloud and answered questions students had submitted. Thank you to Belmont Books and Frugal Bookstore for this special opportunity.
Lost & Found Update!
Has your child lost a sweatshirt, hat, mask or water bottle? Was a jacket left on the playground on a warm sunny day? Our Lost & Found is full of items and we’d love to get them back in the hands of our students and families. The Lost & Found rack will be outside the G&P Main Entrance (on Linnaean St) Tuesday, December 21st and Wednesday, December 22nd between 8am-9am and 2pm-3pm so that families can look for lost items during arrival and dismissal time. If you are missing any items, please come by and check the Lost & Found, if you can. If you can’t come, please check out the photos below and contact Family Liaisons Lauren Morse or Mildrid Gedeon if you see something that belongs to your child.
See photos >>
Tips for Winter Health from Cambridge in Motion
Here are some great wellness resources for families for the beginning of winter!
Movement/Physical Activity:
--ABC Challenge: see the attachment and set challenges for kiddos to move throughout the day or week using each letter of the alphabet! Fun movement breaks for classrooms or when at home!
Food, Nutrition & Gardening:
--ChopChop Family Newsletter (Frozen Foods!): ChopChop is a kid-focused newsletter that teaches kitchen skills, contains easy recipes, fun facts and much more! This month the focus is on using frozen foods.
--Get Kids EXCITED About Fruits & Veggies: watch this quick Cooking Matters video on ways to get kids involved and excited about fruits and vegetables! Other Cooking Matters Videos on healthy meals.
--Cambridge Food Resources: This list includes all the current places where residents can find free food resources. This includes food pantries, community meals and meal delivery options!
Other Resources:
--Gender Diverse and Trans Gender Children: learn the terminology and how to build a welcoming and supportive environment at home/in the community for gender diverse children (from the American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP).
City of Cambridge COVID-19 Testing Sites Holiday Schedule
The City of Cambridge offers free COVID-19 PCR testing 5 days per week for people who live or work in Cambridge. Walk-in testing is offered 4 days per week on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and appointment-only testing is offered on Saturdays.
Please Note: There will be no testing on the following dates due to the holidays:
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Saturday, January 1, 2022
Learn more >>
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