Greetings CPS Community…
Happy May! We are officially in the home stretch of the school year.
This morning, we shared a detailed communication about the creation of the Caregiver and Community Advisory Council or CCAC, which will serve as a vital bridge between the school district's administration, the community, and caregivers/families. The council will be a platform for open communication, collaboration, and feedback to enhance the educational experiences of our students and be composed of parents/caregivers, community members, students, educators, and representatives from various stakeholder groups. If you are interested in joining the council, please complete the interest form in the “Headlines” section below by Friday, May 24.
Thank you to every parent and caregiver who attended last week’s information sessions about the additional learning time beginning next school year. We are deeply committed to making sure that each and every one of our families has the information they need to plan. Details about the news schedule can be found on our website and through your child’s school.
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. While we do not need a specific day or week to celebrate and honor our teachers, I would like to extend my deep appreciation to all of our wonderful educators. You are unrelenting in the giving of your support and time to our students. On behalf of the district administration and School Committee, thank you for your commitment and dedication to each and everyone of our students.
Have a wonderful week…Make It Great!
Dr. Victoria L. Greer
Headlines
Interested in Joining the Caregiver and Community Advisory Council…Fill Out and Interest Form Today
Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the district will create the Caregiver and Community Advisory Council (CCAC), which will serve as a vital bridge between the school district's administration, the community, and caregivers/families. The CCAC will be composed of parents/caregivers, community members, students, educators, and representatives from various stakeholder groups. The council will advise the superintendent and the district’s executive leaders on matters concerning the education, wellbeing, and overall success of our students.
If you are interested in joining the CCAC, please complete the interest form, which is also available in አማርኛ (Amharic) | عربي (Arabic) | বাংলা (Bengali) | Kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole) | Español (Spanish), by Friday, May 24.
May Family/Caregiver Virtual Dinner Hour
May’s Family/Caregiver Virtual Dinner Hour will be held next week on May 15 from 6:30 - 7:30PM. The meeting will be for Tobin Montessori, Graham and Parks, Haggerty and Vassal Lane Upper School families and caregivers.
Monthly on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 7:30PM
Register Here!
This is an opportunity to engage with families and caregivers to learn about your experiences with our schools, have meaningful conversations about our schools and school district, and answer any questions that you may have. Please register at the link above. By registering, you will also be able to share topics of interest which will help us plan.
What We’re Celebrating
During Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we honor the contributions of over 50 unique ethnic groups who speak more than 100 different languages. May was selected as AANHPI Heritage Month since the first record of Japanese Americans migrating to the US was in May of 1843. The first transcontinental railroad was completed in May of 1869, and many of the laborers who built it were Chinese American. Today, more than 7% of Americans are AANHPI.
Looking for a way to celebrate? Check out the event lineup for the Cambridge-Somerville Asian Festival on May 10-11 in our featured events & opportunities section down below!
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month encourages Americans to celebrate and promote healthy, active lifestyles. Physical activity is not only great for physical health but also for social and emotional growth. Sports teach values such as teamwork and how to handle adversity. We are grateful for the work our Health, Physical Education and Wellness department and coaches do to teach our youth the importance of being healthy and active! Whether it’s a walk, run, or another activity, find joy in movement this May!
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being. The goal is to raise awareness of mental health and reduce the stigma that surrounds it. This is reinforced during National Children’s Mental Health Awareness day on May 9th, which showcases the importance of positive mental health as an essential component to a child’s healthy development.
As a district, we are committed to supporting the social, emotional, and mental health needs of our students, families, and staff by promoting positive mental health in our classrooms and connecting our school community with various resources, including:
National Teacher Appreciation Week is this week and National Teacher Appreciation Day is tomorrow, May 7. We extend our deep appreciation to all of our wonderful educators who are giving, compassionate, and have dedicated their careers to our children.
This week, we also celebrate:
- Strap on your helmet and lace up your shoes for National Bike and Roll to School Day this Wednesday, May 8! This day celebrates the joy of active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit.
Upcoming School Council Elections
This spring, schools with available seats on school councils will be holding elections for both parents/caregivers of current CPS students and staff members at individual CPS schools. School councils are representative advisory groups that advise school leaders in the development and execution of goals and practices to enhance the achievement of all students. Members work together collaboratively to support the implementation of existing and new programs as well as ensuring robust family engagement.
- Specific information regarding schools that are holding elections for seats on their school councils will be communicated by principals later this week.
- Nominations will be available by this Wednesday, May 8.
- Vote between Monday, May 20 - Friday, May 31.
- Please note that depending on the number of incumbent council members currently serving, the total number of vacant seats available this spring will vary by school.
Those not wishing to run for a seat are still always welcome and encouraged to participate in the School Council supporting your child’s school!
If you have questions please contact your child’s principal or the district’s Director of Family Engagement, Dr. Raymond Porch, at [email protected].
Featured Events & Opportunities
View Kindergarten Model Cities at City Hall This Week!
When Mayor Denise Simmons’ tasked kindergarteners with generating ideas for a fairer Cambridge, a variety of schools partnered with Boston Society for Architecture volunteers to do just that! Together, they designed model cities as part of the kindergarten construction unit.
These model cities will be on display at Cambridge City Hall the week of May 6. Stop on by to join us in celebrating the work of our young scholars!
Cambridge Somerville Asian Festival
Celebrate the diversity of the Asian American community during the 3rd annual Cambridge Somerville Asian Festival from May 10 -11 ! This year will focus on expressions of culture and community through food!
When: Friday, May 10 | 5:30 - 8PM
Where: Cambridge Street Upper School (85 Cambridge Street)
Enjoy a film screening of Off the Menu: Asian America, dumpling demo with Jason Doo (Chef at Wusong Road and CRLS Alumni), family friendly art activities and food tastings from local restaurants.
When: Saturday, May 11 | 2 - 4PM
Where: Somerville High School (81 Highland Avenue)
Saturday will boast an AANHPI community cookbook exhibit, question and answer panel and food demos with local chefs, a Hawaiian dance performance, local Asian food vendors and more!
When: Saturday, May 11 | 4 - 5:30PM
Where: Nunziato Field, Union Square (7 Putnam Street, Somerville)
The grande finale will feature Bhangra dance and lesson, art activities, story reading and color throwing! Attendees are encouraged to wear white to show off the colors!
Learn more about the festival and explore the schedule here!
Apply for Next Year’s DHSP After School Program by May 17
Are you looking for an after school program for your child to participate in beginning this fall?
The city’s Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) is accepting applications for the DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery through this Friday, May 17.
Please note that all spots are filled through a lottery process.
CPS intends to maintain a consistent level of transportation services to the various DHSP and Community sites that were provided this school year.
Visual and Performing Arts Spring Events
The Department of Visual and Performing Arts invites you to an exciting spring season of music, dance, arts, and theater performances!
Happening this Month:
May Free Food Markets
All families are welcome to stop by our free, school-based food markets. They offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry items. Please bring your own bags.
- Tuesday, May 14 | 1:30 - 3:30PM (Graham & Parks School)
- Thursday, May 16 | 3:15 - 5:15PM (Peabody School/Rindge Avenue Upper School)
- Tuesday, May 28 | 3 - 4:30PM (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School/Putnam Ave Upper School)
- Wednesday, May 29 | 1:45 - 3:45PM (Fletcher Maynard Academy)
- Wednesday, May 29 | 2 - 4PM (Kennedy-Longfellow School/Vassal Lane Upper School)
- See the full list of free food markets for the 2023-2024 school year.
Morse School DPW Day: Touch-a-Truck
Last week our Morse preschool and kindergarten students had some special visitors. The city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) stopped by in celebration of DPW day! A multitude of department vehicles lined up on a closed off portion of Granite Street. This allowed students to safely explore all the trucks and machines that were too big to roll onto the play yard. Students enjoyed being able to touch the trucks, honk their horns and “drive” the big trucks of course! Special thanks to the city’s DPW crew who were great at answering questions and teaching our students more about public safety and maintenance.
School Lunch Hero Day
Students celebrated School Lunch Hero Day last Friday. The Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) team cooks (from scratch) and serves about 3,600 lunches every day across all 13 Cambridge school campuses to make sure students are fed nutritious meals and are ready to learn.
To show their appreciation, students made beautiful signs and posters for our kitchen staff, which are now on display in our kitchens and cafeterias. Our FNS team are School Lunch Heroes everyday and we are so lucky to have them here in Cambridge!
Key Resources
Mark Your Calendar
Wednesday, May 8 | Early Release (Grades JK-8)
Monday, May 27 | Memorial Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Wednesday, June 5 | Early Release (Grades JK-5)
Thursday, June 6 | CRLS Graduation
Wednesday, June 19 | Juneteenth (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Monday, June 24 | Last Day of School All Grades