CPS Connect: April 6, 2026

Good Evening CPS Community,

As we approach April Break, our spring events and meetings calendar are filling up.

Tomorrow, April 7, the Cambridge School Committee will meet and vote on the CPS Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget. The vote comes after months of meetings and community engagement sessions. Before the CPS budget is considered final, it must be approved by the School Committee and then the City Council. Read more about our budget process in the newsletter below.

Applications for the second round of Cambridge Preschool Program are due Monday, April 13.  This application window  is designed for families with an eligible 3- or 4-year-old eligible child, who have recently moved to Cambridge and/or families that otherwise missed the fall application window. Limited seats are available. You can learn more about the Cambridge Preschool Program through the City of Cambridge Office of Early Childhood website.

Today marks the start of National Assistant Principals Week (April 6 -10). Our APs work tirelessly to support their principal staff, students, and families, all while balancing a variety of unpredictable challenges that arise day to day. Join us in celebrating our assistant principals for their continued commitment to our school communities!

As a reminder, April Break is Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 24. Please note, district offices will be closed on Monday, April 20, in observance of Patriots’ Day. 

The next edition of the CPS Connect newsletter will be on Monday, April 27.

Sincerely,
The CPS Team

In this Issue:

• Review the 2026-2027 Proposed Budget
• Cambridge Preschool Program Application
• Explore April Break Programming
• District and School Culture Survey Coming in May
• Information for Families in the Event of a School Emergency
• Reminder: Updated Start Times for Select Schools Starting SY 2026-2027
• Strategic Spotlight: Early College Day
• Upcoming Events
• What We’re Celebrating
• District & Community Resources
• The Bright Spot

Need to Know New

Review the 2026-2027 Proposed Budget

Chief Financial Officer Ivy Washington and Superintendent David Murphy presented the Proposed 2026-2027 Budget to the School Committee on March 11.

This proposal is the result of a collaborative journey that began in November. Since then, we have hosted community engagement sessions and gathered vital input from staff, administrators, and individual school communities. Our goal has been to ensure this budget is a true reflection of our community’s shared values and the School Committee’s priorities.

Priorities for the upcoming year will include Improved Student Supports, Effective Use of Before School Time, Enhanced Data Systems, Educator Effectiveness & Professional Learning, and Family Engagement.

The total proposed budget is $293.5M, which represents an increase of $13.25M (4.7%) over last year. This increase is primarily driven by:

• Human Capital: Investing in the educators and staff who work with our students daily.
• Rising Costs: Significant increases in health insurance and contractual operational adjustments.
• Efficiency: To remain fiscally responsible, we have implemented management consolidations and structural staffing adjustments where roles could be optimized without impacting personnel.

The Cambridge School Committee vote on the proposed budget is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7. Read more about the budget process and community meeting schedule here.

Cambridge Preschool Program Application 

The Office of Early Childhood will host another Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) Application Match in Spring 2026. This match cycle will include all applications submitted between November 14, 2025, and April 13, 2026.

Families who have recently moved to Cambridge and/or families that otherwise missed the fall application window are invited to submit a CPP application if they have an eligible 3- or 4-year-old (please view CPP eligibility criteria here).

Families who apply by April 13 will be notified of their child’s placement in a preschool program by late April 2026.

Learn more and apply for the Cambridge Preschool Program here.

Explore April Break Programming

Hoping to have a fun-filled April break? Stop hoping and start planning! 

• Kindergarten - Grade 8 | April Vacation Week Program Slideshow
• All Ages | Find It Cambridge Events and Programs 

Looking for more programming beyond break? View the Cambridge Agenda for Children’s Summer Programs and Opportunities Resource Guide  (Kindergarten - Grade 8).

District and School Culture Survey Coming in May

In May, we will once again invite all district families, staff, and students (grades 3-12) to take our District and School Culture Survey. Your feedback will inform decisions and inform the development of a new District Plan.

The survey will open in early May.

This survey is part of our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of all of our scholars and build welcoming schools. More information will be shared soon!

Information for Families in the Event of a School Emergency

We strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment to support learning. The quick reference guide below provides important instructions if there is an emergency at your child’s school. We encourage you to keep this information quickly accessible.

Information for Families in the Event of a School Emergency 

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2026-2027 Start and End Times for Classes
School	Monday, Tuesday,  Thursday & Friday	Wednesday
Cambridgeport	8AM - 2:30PM	8AM - 2PM
Fletcher Maynard Academy	8AM - 4PM	8AM - 2PM
Graham & Parks	8AM - 2:30PM	8AM - 2PM
Haggerty	8AM - 2:30PM	8AM - 2PM
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.	8AM - 4PM	8AM - 2PM
Morse	8AM - 2:30PM	8AM - 2PM
Tobin Montessori	8AM - 2:30PM	8AM - 2PM

Access more safety information in our Safety and Security Playbook.

Reminder: Updated Start Times for Select Schools Starting SY 2026-2027

Remember that starting next year, select schools will see a 15-minute adjustment to their current start time (with a corresponding change to their dismissal time). This will allow children to arrive at school with enough time to eat breakfast, interact with peers, play, and check in with teachers if needed. View the adjusted schedules below:

Start and End Times for Classes Beginning 2026-2027 School Year

(Select Schools Only)

First Day of School for School Year 2026-2027*

Tuesday, September 1 | First Day of School (Grades 1-12 and Postgraduate)

Thursday, September 3 | First Day of School (Kindergarten & Cambridge Preschool Program)

*Labor Day  (September 7) falls significantly later in 2026; because of this, the first day of school will start before Labor Day.

Cambridge Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations Open

The Cambridge Athletic Hall of Fame commemorates athletic achievements and contributions while celebrating the legacy of sports in the City of Cambridge. Nominees are considered based on excellence in their athletic career by achieving high honors, recognition, and distinction within their athletic program. 

Nominations are now open in the following categories:

Student Athlete

Coach

Championship Varsity Team

Distinguished Contributor

Access the Cambridge Athletic Hall of Fame Nomination Form here.

Submissions are due Friday, March 27. Questions? Contact Tom Arria.

Strategic Spotlight: Galentine’s, A Blooming Colors Event - Supporting Upper School Girls

In March, students from CRLS joined other area high school students and local elected officials to celebrate Early College Day at the Massachusetts State House. Hosted by the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College, the day brought together legislators, school districts with early college programs, and participating universities to celebrate and discuss the impact of Early College. 

The Early College Program allows students in grade 10, 11, and 12 the opportunity to experience college-level coursework on a clearly defined pathway while gaining exposure to a variety of career opportunities. By earning college credit for free while in high school, students can shorten the time and cost of earning a college certificate while increasing the likelihood of completion.

CPS enjoys two early college partnerships with local higher education institutions: Lesley University and Franklin Cummings Tech. For more information about our Early College Program, contact Program Manager Michael O’Shea at moshea@cpsd.us, or visit our program website. You can also check out what our Early College students have to say about the program in the video below.

Objective 2: Provide Accessible College & Career Pathways

In the District

Young Artists Exhibit
Wednesday, March 16 - Friday, April 3
Multicultural Arts Center (41 Second Street)
Explore the artistic works of high school students in the upcoming Young Artists Exhibition from March 16 - April 3 at the Multicultural Arts Center. The gallery is closed Monday and open Tuesday - Friday from 10AM - 6PM.

Multicultural Night 
Wednesday, April 15 | 6 - 8PM
CRLS Main Cafe (459 Broadway Court)
CRLS’s student-led Cultural Visibility Team presents the third annual Multicultural Night for the whole Cambridge Public Schools community! Join us for a night of cultural performances, food, and a whole lot more!

Ethiopian Affinity Caregiver Gathering
Wednesday, April 15 | 6 - 8:30PM
Rindge Avenue Upper School (70 Rindge Avenue)
Learn about resources to help support your child at home, summer opportunities, and more! Contact Aboma Dirbaba at 857.331.1199 or Toyba Abdie at 857.283.7870
View the flyer here.

District Calendar

Visit our digital calendar for upcoming events here.

In the Community

Think Before You Click!
Thursday, April 9 | 7PM
Webinar (Link sent after registration)
Explore real-world examples involving teens and adults targeted through social media, gaming apps, and more. Learn how to protect yourself and your teens from the evolving digital threats. Hosted by MassBay CyberRange. Register for Think Before You Click! here.

Know Your Right Training for Bystanders
Tuesday, April 14 | 6 - 7:30PM
Main Library Lecture Hall (449 Broadway or Zoom)
Join the LUCE Immigration Justice Network of Massachusetts to learn how to respond to immigration enforcement in your community.

Webinar: 5 Keys to Parenting a Child with ADHD
Wednesday, April 15 | 12PM
Join Cartwheel and Erin Schoenfelder, Ph.D, to learn 5 key strategies families  can use to foster independence, build emotional resilience, and set their children up to thrive. Register for the webinar here.

Cambridge Basketball Lab (Grade 6-12)
April 7 - June 18 | 6 - 7:45PM
Putnam Avenue Upper School (100 Putnam Avenue)
Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to participate in the Cambridge Basketball Lab this Spring. The program offers high-quality basketball workouts and mentorship led by local Coach-Mentors four nights a week. Learn more and register for Cambridge Basketball Lab here.

Career Awareness Day for Teens
Saturday, April 25 | 10AM -1PM
Community Art Center (119 Windsor Street)
Discover a variety of career opportunities, connect with professionals of colors, build your professionals of color, and more at Career Awareness Day for Teens. Register for Career Awareness Day for Teens here.

Cambridge Basketball Lab (Grade 2-5)
April 26 - June 7 | Time Varies
Baldwin School (85 Oxford Street)
Students in grades 2-5 are encouraged to participate in the Elementary Cambridge Basketball Lab this Spring. The program offers high-quality basketball workouts and mentorship led by local Coach-Mentors four nights a week. Learn more and register for Cambridge Basketball Lab here.

Carnival of Colors
Saturday, May 2 | 11AM - 5PM
The Foundry (101 Rogers Street)
Join the Richi Foundation for Carnival of Colors, a free community-wide celebration will feature live music, carnival games, magician shows, activities for toddlers and kids, arts and crafts, food, and drinks. Registration for Carnival of Colors is required, but the event is free for all!

District Community Resources

Cambridge Public Schools 2025-2026 School Year Calendar

District Plan in 1 Minute

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

CPS Employment Opportunities

Information for Families in the Event of a School Emergency  

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2026 Summer Opportunities Resource Guide for K-8  

Translations: Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Spanish

What We’re Celebrating

Arab American Heritage Month is an annual observance that celebrates Arab American heritage and culture and honors the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans to the wider American community. Many customs and food traditions are influenced by religion. Most people in the Arab world are Muslim, or people who follow Islam. However, in the U.S., an estimated 65-70% of Arab Americans are Christian and about 30-35% are Muslim.

This month and throughout the year, we can celebrate Arab Americans by learning more about their contributions, food, and culture.

 

Autism Acceptance Month celebrates the roughly 1 in 36 children who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism is a complex, lifelong disability. No two autistic individuals present with the same sets of strengths or challenges. Our district has scholars with ASD as young as age 3 up through age 22 in our Post-Graduate program.

We strive to build an inclusive community where all members are valued for their gifts and true inclusiveness cannot exist without acceptance. Let's celebrate all the things that make us unique, which includes our neurological profile!

National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month reaffirms, celebrates, and advocates for educational and social equity for our Multilingual Learners. In CPS, our educators develop their immense talents and potential so that they can contribute to a multilingual and intercultural society in the future.

Learn more about our Multilingual Learner Education Department here. 

School Library Month is a time to recognize and celebrate school librarians and the programs they provide in our schools. Our Cambridge Public Schools Library Team is essential to advancing learning and supporting educators in fostering joyful learning. Join us in thanking our School Librarians and Library Technology Specialists for all they do to make the library a place for all learners.

 

CRLS Students Shine in Boston Student Photography Showcase

 

Join us in congratulating CRLS student artists Ezra Lee, Temelko Dymek, Natalia Naef, and Dev Parmeshwar on their acceptance into the Photographic Resource Center Student Show (PCR). The PCR Student Show is a selective exhibition highlighting student photographers from nine colleges and universities across Greater Boston and has recently expanded to include select high schools.

The Photographic Resource Center Student Show will be on exhibit Friday, March 13 – Sunday, April 19. All works are displayed in the VanDernoot Gallery at Lesley University located at 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA. 

VanDernoot Gallery Hours:
Friday and Saturday: 12PM - 6PM
Sunday: 12PM - 4PM

Congratulations again to our student artists, and thank you to CRLS staff members Debi Milligan and Amanda Kilton for their continued support, expertise, and commitment to helping our students succeed. 

Learn more about the Photographic Resource Center Student Show here.

CRLS Youth Education Summit (YES) Week 

The 4th Annual CRLS YES (Youth Education/Equity Summit) was held during the week of March 12. This event was co-planned by the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging's Youth Advocacy Specialist, CRLS's Dean of History and Social Studies, and a team of students. 

CRLS YES Week By the Numbers

• 9 Student Clubs led workshops across 25 classes.
• Nearly ¼ of students participated in the summit.
  • 84% of participants rated their student-led sessions a 4 or 5 out of 5.

Clubs designed workshops that connected to their club’s mission, allowing students to teach their peers about various topics such as fast fashion, homelessness in Cambridge, financial and political literacy, gardening, and more. 

Student Takeaways: "I learned about systemic barriers that cause homelessness," "I thought more in-depth about the effect of social media on beauty standards and how people see themselves," "All youth have the right to education, regardless of immigration status," and "I learned who the mayor of Cambridge is."