Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, October 15 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Tuesday, November 5 | Election Day & Staff Professional Learning Day (No School)
- Monday, November 11 | Veterans Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Wednesday, November 27 | Early Release (All Grades)
- Thursday, November 28 - Friday, November 29 | Thanksgiving Break (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Good Evening CPS Community:
I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.
At tonight’s School Committee meeting we will continue to discuss the 2024 MCAS and accountability data. We will take a deeper look into the data at the high school and STE (science, technology, and engineering) MCAS results, and the committee is scheduled to discuss the Superintendent Search Process.
We’re looking forward to this Thursday’s Community Social. This is a great opportunity for families to connect with our CPS Family Engagement Team, community partners, and one another through food, giveaways, and fun. We hope you’ll be able to join us.
Applications continue to be accepted for the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP). If you’re interested in preschool for the 2025-2026 school year be sure to apply before October 31.
In this Issue:
- New Hires and Appointments
- What We Are Celebrating
- First Community Social of the School Year
- Upcoming COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinics
- Cambridge Preschool Program Application Now Open
- Apply for Equity Grants to Improve CPS Today
- Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Fuel Assistance
- Upcoming Events
- District & Community Resources
Sincerely,
David Murphy
Interim Superintendent
New Hires and Appointments
Executive Director of Human Resources to Join CPS in November
Following a comprehensive interview and selection process, Mr. Murphy is pleased to announce that Ms. Ashley Pierre has been appointed Executive Director of Human Resources of Cambridge Public Schools. Ms. Pierre’s extensive experience has positioned her to lead the critical work of the Human Resources Department in recruiting and retaining exceptional educators and continuing to diversify our workforce.
Ms. Pierre is currently the Director of Human Resources for the Buckingham, Browne & Nichols School and previously served in the same capacity for both Malden and Waltham Public Schools. She may be a familiar face for many as she was formerly
a CPS Human Resources Specialist and is a lifelong Cambridge resident. Ms. Pierre holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
We have no doubt Ms. Pierre will be a tremendous asset as leads the recruitment and retention of top talent to join our district’s workforce. Please join me in welcoming her again to CPS and the Human Resources team.
Dean of Curriculum Tanya Milner Appointed CRLS Interim Assistant Principal
On the enthusiastic recommendation of Cambridge Rindge and Latin Interim Principal Gehant, Mr. Murphy has appointed current Dean of Curriculum, Tanya Milner, to the position of Interim Assistant Principal. Ms. Milner emerged from a highly competitive pool of candidates to join Mr. Gehant in guiding our flagship school during this period of transition. Mr. Murphy participated in her finalist interview and was particularly appreciative of her thoughts on the potential for more fully integrating the RSTA program into the fabric of CRLS, ensuring students capitalize to the fullest extent on the benefits of a comprehensive high school. Ms. Milner is a CRLS graduate and long-time Cambridge resident who has served as an administrator since 2011.
What We Are Celebrating
National School Lunch Week (October 14-18) was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child's life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. We are proud to offer all students nutritious free breakfast and lunch at school everyday!
Feeding close to 3,800 students a day is no easy feat. Each meal needs to meet national nutrition standards, remain cost effective, meet the dietary needs of our diverse community, and taste great! Our Food & Nutrition Services Department works hard to deliver quality meals to our students, their partnerships with local food suppliers allows us to serve students freshest, locally sourced ingredients.
To celebrate National School Lunch Week, we are highlighting our partnerships with our local food suppliers! Our local fish comes from Boston-area fishermen and gets picked up fresh from Red's Best at the Boston Fish Pier and delivered to our kitchens 24 hours before service. Not only that, through our partnership with the Boston Food Hub, we receive fresh local produce from Massachusetts farms like apples from Westward Orchards, broccoli and kale from Bardwell Farms, and the collard greens served at CRLS come from Stonefield Farms. Through these and many other partnerships, our kitchens are able to leverage an abundance of Massachusetts products and bring local freshness to students everyday!
Need to Know News
First Community Social of the School Year
Our first Community Social of the school year is this Thursday! The theme for this event will focus on celebrating global diversity.
Come and join the festivities, indulge in delicious food, participate in our raffle, and take home some swag! Check out the Community Social flyer here.
- When: Thursday, October 17 | 5:30 - 7:30PM
- Where: Fletcher Maynard Academy Gymnasium (225 Windsor Street)
- Register here, including for a chance to win a prize
- Questions? Contact Mia Ferej or call 617.349.9786
Upcoming COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinics
The Cambridge Public Health Department is offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines to adults and children who live in Cambridge.
Flu vaccines are available for everyone 6 months and older.
COVID-19 vaccines will be available for everyone ages 12 and older.
- This Wednesday, October 16 | 10AM - 2PM
- Cambridge Senior Center (806 Massachusetts Ave.)
- Thursday, October 17 | 3PM - 6PM
- King Open School (850 Cambridge St.)
- Friday, October 18 | 1 - 4PM
- Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender St.)
- *Wednesday, October 23 | 3:30 - 6:30PM
- Reservoir Church (170 Rindge Ave.)
- *Please note that this is a Vaxabilities Clinic for people with special needs.
- Thursday, October 24 | 4 - 6:30PM
- Pisani Center (131 Washington St.)
Appointments are encouraged. Bring your insurance card if you have one.
Cambridge Preschool (CPP) Application Now Open
Families can apply for the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) for the 2025-2026 school year now through Thursday, October 31. Several offices are available to support in completing the application. While an appointment is not necessary it is encouraged.
CPP provides free preschool through Cambridge Public Schools, the Cambridge Department of Human Services, Head Start, and select community-based preschool and family childcare providers. Families can apply to a variety of programs all through one single online or paper application. Watch this video for a look into CPP!
A child is eligible if they live in Cambridge and are:
- 4 years old by August 31, 2025 for 4-year-old programs; or
- 3 years old by August 31, 2025 for 3-year-old programs (please note there will be limited seats for 3-year-olds and there may be additional eligibility requirements)
Access Frequently Asked Questions specific to CPP using the links below…
Cambridge Preschool Program | Cambridge Public Schools | Department of Human Services
Access translated Frequently Asked Questions here.
Learn more about the Cambridge Preschool Program here.
Apply for Equity Grants to Improve CPS Today
Do you have an idea for a project to eliminate academic, racial, socio-economic, and/or other opportunity gaps, or to address inequities in Cambridge Public Schools? The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEIB) invites students, educators, and caregivers to apply for a grant!
- OEIB Mini-Grants (up to $1000)
- The Equity Collaborative ($500-$5000)
Interested? Learn more about our equity grants and access applications here.
Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Fuel Assistance
Colder weather means higher heating bills. The Cambridge Fuel Assistance Program is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 season. The program helps residents pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Learn more about how to qualify and fill out the application here.
In the District
Community Social
Thursday, October 17 | 5:30 - 7:30PM
Fletcher Maynard Academy Gymnasium (225 Windsor Street)
Join CPS and our community partners for our first Community Social of the year. Enjoy food, raffles, take home some swag and celebrate this year’s theme of global diversity!
Register for the Community Social here.
STEAM It Up!
Thursday, October 24 | 6 - 8PM
Rindge Avenue/ Peabody School (70 Rindge Avenue)
Explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) during our STEAM It Up event this fall. This Cambridge-wide event for preschoolers- 8th grade will feature fun STEAM events and free pizza! Save the date now!
District Calendar
Visit our digital calendar for upcoming events here.
In the Community
Navigating the College Journey: A Workshop for Caregivers
Wednesday, October 16 | 6 - 8PM
Cambridge Rindge and Latin Media Cafe (459 Broadway)
Learn about the college applications process, scholarships, financial aid, important deadlines, and how to support your student’s academic journey through this college preparedness workshop. Dinner and childcare is provided. Register for the workshop here.
Virtual: Redes Sociales y Salud Mental Juvenil: Qué Saber y Qué Hacer
Miércoles, 16 de Octubre | 6 - 7PM
Virtual
Join Cartwheel for their first Spanish webinar!
Los padres y cuidadores juegan un papel crucial en la orientación sobre cómo los niños y adolescentes usan las redes sociales.
Aprende a involucrar a tu hijo en discusiones significativas, establecer límites saludables y apoyar su bienestar en la era digital. Regístrese aqui con Cartwheel.
District & Community Resources