What's Up @ G&P: March 2022
Published on Mar 25, 2022 14:41

Here's the latest news from G&P...            View newsletter in browser >>

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March 2022

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 Community, 

Spring is here! We look forward to the warm, sunny school days to come. However, this time of year, the weather can change quickly. Please remember to continue to dress children according to the weather and keep in mind that students will spend time outside during snack, lunch and recess.

Last week, our community transitioned to the mask optional policy in the school building. Thank you to both families and staff for helping our students prepare for this change. Our students and staff have done a terrific job making choices and respecting everyone else’s choices too. Like with many changes during the Covid-19 pandemic, our community has demonstrated resilience and we are proud!

Save the date! Poetry Night will be held on April 13, 2022 from 5:45 - 7:15PM. All families are welcome! There will be activities led by staff for students and families. More information in newsletter below. 

For families in Grades 3-5, please mark your calendars. MCAS testing will begin next week and run through May. For those who missed our Steering Committee meeting earlier this month, here is the presentation that we shared about MCAS. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

3rd Grade ELA MCAS - April 6th & 8th
3rd Grade Math MCAS - May 10th & 12th

4th Grade ELA MCAS - April 5th & 7th
4th Grade Math MCAS - May 4th & 5th

5th Grade ELA MCAS - March 29th & 31st
5th Grade Math MCAS - April 26th & 28th
5th Grade Science MCAS - May 17th & 19th

In addition, iReady reports are being sent home from the district. Please keep an eye out for them and talk to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

Thank you to families, students and staff for extending their condolences as we grieve the loss of a beloved staff member, Joyce McClure. Joyce was part of the G&P community for over 25 years and will be greatly missed by all.

Sincerely,

Claudie & Jen

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Principal Search & Interview Process 


Please see a letter from Dr. Greer regarding the upcoming search and interview process for the next principal of G&P (link below).

We are committed to having an inclusive search and selection process that is reflective of our school community’s voices. In embarking on the search for the next Principal of the Graham & Parks, the first opportunity for engagement in this process is to respond to the Principal search survey, which you may access online here. We encourage everyone to share your thoughts and feedback on the professional and personal attributes of what you would like to see in the next Principal.

Read letter (translations included) >>

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Mrs. D.
A Special Note from Mrs. D in the
Main Office

Dear Graham & Parks Families,

I am writing this to let you know that I will be retiring at the end of the school year. My husband is also retiring from his position so this will be a new adventure for us. Getting to know and help the families and children has been my greatest pleasure and now it is time for a new journey. I have loved working with this amazing community for the past 11 years and I hope to do some volunteer work here in the future. Please know that my heart will always belong to Graham and Parks.

Love,

Mrs. D.

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G&P 4th and 5th Grade Black History Month Video

Graham and Parks has a longstanding tradition of school-wide assemblies celebrating Black History Month. These assemblies are one part of our year-round commitment to teaching Black history while centering Black joy, Black excellence, and Black resistance. This year, since we couldn’t yet gather together in-person as an entire school, several student volunteers from all seven of our fourth and fifth grade classes worked with fourth grade teacher Karen Engels to film a read-aloud The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez. Three students MC’d the assembly to a captivated whole-school audience. It was a day to remember!

Special thanks to Karen Engels for putting this together! The video is a must-see!

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thumbnailRamadan is Coming!


This year, Ramadan will start around 4/2/2022. Many Graham & Parks students, families and staff members will be observing Ramadan soon. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting. Heba Abu, a teacher at Vassal Lane Upper School, created these slides about Ramadan and Eid El Fitr for educators, students and families in Cambridge Public Schools (CPS).

Learn more >>

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vlusA Visit from Vassal Lane Upper School!


On Tuesday, March 22, G&P fifth grade students enjoyed a presentation by Vassal Lane Upper School Principal Daniel Coplon-Newfield and Guidance Counselor Matt Sadowski. Vassal Lane Upper School (VLUS) is the Cambridge middle school that G&P students attend when they move up to 6th grade, where they join rising 6th grade students from Tobin and Haggerty Schools. VLUS is temporarily located in the Kennedy-Longfellow building, 158 Spring St, while their new building is being constructed on Vassal Lane. The opening of the new building is scheduled for 2025, just after our current 5th graders move up to the high school, CRLS! Learn more here >>

The VLUS leaders shared all kinds of information about sixth grade: schedules, classes, electives, clubs, sports, lockers, and more! Our fifth graders asked many questions about middle school, too. Thank you to Mr. C-N and Mr. Sadowski for getting us excited about this transition!

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Book Joy!

Each month, the G&P Librarians, Ann Niederkorn and Ms. Jen Mason Stott share some wonderful books with the G&P community!

ninaSince March is Women’s History Month, it seems like a good time to highlight one of our newest biographies, Nina, by Traci N. Todd and illustrated by Christian Robinson. This picture book does a really great job at showing how the discrimination she faced as a child influenced Nina’s activism as an adult. It also shows her deep commitment to learning and performing many different types of music from a very young age. The language is really accessible and the illustrations are beautiful.

classifiedWomen’s History Month MARCHes on (ha!) with a new biography from award-winning Cherokee author, Traci Sorell: Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer. From the author’s “Note on Cherokee Values:” “Mary Golda Ross’s parents instilled the tribe’s values in their children. Some of the values that shaped Mary include gaining skills in all areas of life (both within and outside the classroom), working cooperatively with others, remaining humble when others recognize your talents, and helping ensure equal education and opportunity for all.” Teachers can find a wealth of resources for this book at TeachingBooks: a whole teacher’s kit from Lerner Publishing, a rocket-building guide, author interviews, and a Cherokee pronunciation kit!

dad bakesSometimes we get a surprise in the mail that demands attention. Today, that book is Dad Bakes by Katie Yamasaki. This deceptively simple picture has a profoundly moving backstory. The narrator is a child who describes her father’s job in a bakery and how they have fun together after he finishes his shift, including a special baking project. A sweet, simple “my-day-with-Dad” story. But in the backmatter, author Yamasaki explains that this book is in honor of all the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated parents trying their best to maintain positive connections with their children in spite of overwhelming obstacles. It is estimated that roughly 10 million children in the US experience parental incarceration at some point in their lives. Yamasaki is eloquent about the injustice and enormous social costs of mass incarceration in America, especially for children. This is a quick read that had a big impact on me. 

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Check the Lost & Found 


Help us reunite lost items with their owners. You can help by labeling all of your children’s items. This includes water bottles, sweatshirts, jackets, gloves, and anything that can be separated from your child. Please look at the pictures – if you see any clothing items that look familiar, let your child’s teacher or Lauren, the Family Liaison, an email with your child’s name and a description of the item, and we will try to get the item back home again!

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rollin and summer resources

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fresh pondMarch 27th: G&P Family Walk - Fresh Pond Loop!

With the arrival of spring, G&P families are planning a few family meet-ups in the coming weeks. These are great occasions for the kids to get together and have fun and for families to get to know one another. All grades welcome!

The next G&P family playdate is a walk this Sunday, 3/27 at 10AM at Fresh Pond.

Park at Cambridge Water Works parking lot/opposite Cambridge Honda dealership. Walk toward the pond and turn left on the walking path (head clockwise around Fresh Pond). Meet at Kingsley Park, up the hill from the Water Works at the big field (kids can run around as folks arrive).

More info >>

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Restorative Justice Circle Training 


Cambridge Families of Color Coalition (CFCC) and the Office of Equity, Belonging & Inclusion (OEIB) invite caregivers to this training on March 17, April 3, and April 10. 

See details >>

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ireadyGrades 3-8: iReady Reports & Family Workshop 


Students’ iReady Diagnostic reports for reading and math for 3rd through 8th graders will be mailed home this week. i-Ready provides results that help teachers identify your child’s strengths and determine next steps for instruction, alongside other data. It is just one of many pieces of information educators use to support student learning. 

  • To support parents’ understanding of these reports,  a virtual session for families will be offered on Wednesday, March 30 from 7-7:45PM. Please use the following link to register: https://secure1.cpsd.us/registration/

RESOURCES: 

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VLUS Triad White Caregivers Working Toward Anti-Racism


Hello G&P, Haggerty, Tobin, and VLUS Families,

Please join a monthly affinity group for VLUS Triad White Caregivers Working Toward Anti-Racism. The affinity group will read and discuss various texts throughout the year in order to address our own unconscious biases and to take an active role in fighting white supremacy in our schools, communities, and ourselves. There will be reading to complete before each session, and families are strongly encouraged to make a commitment to attend as many sessions as possible. 

VLUS Triad White Caregivers Working Toward Anti-Racism
Date: Thursday, April 7, 2022, 6:45-8PM

Topic: How can we build lasting partnerships with co-conspirators?
Reading (Read BEFORE the session): Becoming Trustworthy White Allies
Register in advance for this meeting >> 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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Friends of G&P Update 


The April Friends of Graham and Parks meeting will be held on Friday, April 8th in-person at 8:25AM. We will meet outside the front doors on Linnaean Street. Everyone is welcome! Please come to join the group, or to just find out what we are all about.

The Friends of G&P helps to support the unique, project-based learning curriculum at Graham and Parks Elementary School. Friends of Graham & Parks also works to promote volunteerism and community building.

Friends of Graham and Parks is recruiting for a Financial Officer and a Fundraising Chair. The Financial Officer would oversee expenditures and prepare yearly tax forms as well as other accounting responsibilities, while the Fundraising Chair would oversee the Annual Appeal drive and other fundraising efforts. These are volunteer positions that may take an average of around 1-2 hours a week and they are absolutely critical to the long-term sustainability and health of this entirely parent-run, volunteer nonprofit to support the school. We urgently need to fill these positions—and seek more volunteers—as long-term members of Friends graduate from the school. Without these roles—and future volunteers—the future of Friends is uncertain, and with it, the critical support it lends to teachers and staff in ensuring that all students have access to learning opportunities.

Contact [email protected] if you have any questions or if you’d like to get involved! Thank you!

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poetryG&P Poetry Night


You’re Invited to G&P Poetry Night!
When: Wednesday, April 13
Where: Graham & Parks
(In-Person!)


G&P Poetry Night is back! In honor of National Poetry Month, please join us for an in-person evening filled with writing, reading and illustrating poems. All students and families welcome!

Schedule
5:45PM: Pizza Before Poetry
Friends of G&P will be serving Pizza before Poetry Night in the G&P courtyard. *Take home slices available for families who are fasting for Ramadan.
6:00-7PM: Poetry Stations
Visit classrooms to learn about and write different kinds of poetry with some of Graham & Parks teachers and staff.
7-7:15PM: Stop for a Poetry Slam!
Students and families will have the opportunity to share a poem they created throughout the evening.  

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iftarCommunity Iftar


Mayor Siddiqui’s Office, Cambridge Public Schools’ Muslim Affinity Committee, the City’s Employees’ Diversity Committee, and the Islamic Society of Boston will be hosting a community iftar on Wednesday, April 13th at 6PM. The event will take place at the Cambridge Street Upper School located at 850 Cambridge Street.

The iftar is the evening meal where Muslims break their fast after sunset during the Holy month of Ramadan. Stop by for a community meal, mingling, and learn more about this custom from guest speakers and Cambridge Public School students. In addition, there will be a prayer area for the (Magrib) evening prayer. This event is free, and all are welcome.

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English Classes for Parents & Guardians! 


The ELL Department and the Cambridge Community Learning Center (CLC) will offer in-person classes for parents/guardians who are interested in learning English.

When: April 6 - June 29
Where: CLC, 5 Western Ave, Room #203, Cambridge 02139
Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11AM

English Level Placement Test date: March 30 or April 4
Eligibility: Parents/guardians of current English Learners (EL) or Former English Learners (FEL) students

Learn more >>

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Summer Camp Updates

DHSP Summer Camp Lottery
Don't miss your opportunity to apply for the DHSP summer camp lottery (due by April 1st!). These camps offer a range of educational and recreational activities in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment.

ELL Summer Camp 
Sites: Peabody (Grades 1-4), Kennedy Longfellow/ VLUS (Grades 1-8)
Dates: July 11th- August 5th
Time: 8:30AM - 2PM for students
Eligible students: English Language Learners with proficiency levels 1-3. We will have a waitlist.
Bus, breakfast, snack and lunch will be provided.
Any questions, please contact Beverly King, the registration coordinator at [email protected].

Finditcambridge.org is the best place to find information about summer camps in and around Cambridge! You can search by your child’s age, location, cost, theme, etc.

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nnm graphic 

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snack of the week

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G&P Important Dates and Reminders

IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday, March 26th
Rollin' & Summer Resources

Sunday, March 27th, 10AM
G&P Family Walk Around Fresh Pond

Friday, April 8th, 8:30AM
Friends of G&P Meeting

Wednesday, April 13, 5:45PM
G&P Poetry Night

Friday, April 15
NO SCHOOL, Good Friday

Monday, April 18 - Friday, April 22
NO SCHOOL, April Break

Wednesday, May 11
Early Release Day

Tuesday, May 3
NO SCHOOL, Eid al-Fitr

Monday, May 30
NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day

Wednesday, June 8
Early Release Day

Monday, June 20
NO SCHOOL, Juneteenth (Observed)

Wednesday, June 29
Last Day of School

School & District Calendars
G&P calendar >>

District calendar (pdf) >> 

District calendar >>
 

REMINDERS

Clothing Donation Bin Benefits Our School
Have you noticed the big green clothing donation bin near the corner of Linnaean and Walker St? Friends of Graham & Parks is partnering with Clothes Bin® to collect and recycle old clothing, shoes, and textiles. Our school gets a contribution for every pound of recycled items!
YOU CAN RECYCLE: Clothing, footwear, undergarments, accessories, handbags, towels, blankets, other linens. Items in good condition will be reused and unusable items will be recycled. Just place the items in the green recycling bin near the Blue Bikes on Linnaean St. Thank you!

Fuel Assistance Program
The Fuel Assistance Program assists low-income households with winter heating costs between November 1 and April 30. Renters and homeowners in both cities are eligible to apply if they meet the federal income guidelines.
Learn more >>


Health Resources:
City of Cambridge Updates

CHA Vaccine Center Open for Walk-Ins
The CHA Somerville Vaccine Center is now accepting walk-in patients again, subject to availability. You can make an appointment through MyCHArt or at bit.ly/3A19n7N.

Vaccination Locations for Ages 5-11
--Pharmacies: CVS and Walgreens locations
--Mass General Brigham (for patients)
--Boston Children's Hospital (for patients): Schedule an appointment through the hospital’s MyChildren’s Patient Portal or call 617-919-7102.
--Atrius Health (for patients): Parents can schedule an appointment directly through MyHealth Online or call their child’s doctor’s office.
--Pediatricians’ Offices: Call your child’s doctor or nurse to determine vaccine availability.
--To see all Massachusetts vaccine locations and make appointments, go to vaxfinder.mass.gov or VaxAbilities.com for children with sensory and/or other accommodation needs.

In Our District & Community

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Visit Find It Cambridge for lots of great resources! You can also call/text 617.686.2998 or email Andrew for help.


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See a curated list of programs, events, and resources within our district & community! 
See list >>

HIGHLIGHTS

Sunday, April 3rd: FOCA 5K Cambridge City Run/Walk

Support CRLS Student Athletes and the Andrea Harvey Memorial Fund by registering to walk or run around Fresh Pond (5K).
Location: Fresh Pond
Raise funds for CRLS student scholarships and grants for Cambridge teams and the annual Andrea Harvey memorial fund
More info >>
Sponsored by the Friend of Cambridge Athletics

Spring Soccer!
Spring has finally arrived! And that means soccer is just around the corner. So come out and play the “beautiful game.” Cambridge Youth Soccer (CYS) offers soccer leagues for girls and boys in 1st through 8th grades. All skill levels are welcome, whether you’re a beginner or headed to the Premier League. Grades 1&2 play on Saturday mornings, while grades 3-8 practice one afternoon per week and play games on Saturday. Our season starts on April 2nd and ends on June 11th with a thrilling Tournament. So register now at www.cambridgeyouthsoccer.org. Financial aid is available. Everyone plays!
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Graham & Parks School
44 Linnaean St., Cambridge, MA 02138
grahamandparks.cpsd.us  •  617.349.6577
CPS Mobile App >>
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