Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday, September 17 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
Tuesday, October 1 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
Thursday, October 3 | Rosh Hashanah (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Monday, October 14 | Indigenous Peoples Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Tuesday, October 15 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
Good evening CPS Community:
As we settle into the school year, I encourage families to get involved in their school communities. Whether it be connecting with your student’s teacher, reading school and classroom newsletters, learning about your “Friends of” school group, attending an event, or keeping up with school council updates, there are many opportunities to stay connected in a way that works best for your schedule and family routine. Tomorrow, we will send information about FamilyBook, which is one more way to get connected with your school. Be on the lookout for details in tomorrow’s email.
At tomorrow’s School Committee meeting, I will provide an update on some of the leadership changes for this school year as well as an overview of the capital improvements that were completed over the summer. Our Director of Facilities, Vedad Konjic, and I will also speak briefly about the ongoing long-term facilities condition assessment.
The recording of the Community Conversation event hosted in partnership with My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) is now available for those who were unable to attend. I’m grateful for our partnership with MBK and look forward to connecting more with our community in the future.
In this Issue:
- Free Preschool Application for 2025-2026 Coming October 1!
- School Committee Recap
- Testing Schedule (Kindergarten - 8th Grade)
- Watch the Community Conversation with MBK
- Find It Cambridge - Introducing Andrew
- What We’re Celebrating
- Upcoming Events
- Community Resources
- The Bright Spot
Sincerely,
David Murphy
Interim Superintendent
Need to Know News
Free Preschool Application for 2025-2026 Coming October 1!
Applications for the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) for the 2025-2026 school year will be accepted Tuesday, October 1 – Thursday, October 31.
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.
- 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)
Learn more about the Cambridge Preschool Program here.
September 10 School Committee Meeting Recap
A School Committee meeting was held last Tuesday. Highlights include...
Interested in receiving email notifications about meetings? Join the School Committee listserv.
Testing Schedule for Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Testing and screening students provides valuable data needed to understand student learning. This data, along with educator feedback helps inform how we can better meet the educational needs of our students. Families can view the testing schedule for the year using the calendars listed below for their appropriate grade level.
Watch the Community Conversation with MBK
Interim Superintendent David Murphy sat down with our partners at My Brother’s Keeper to discuss his vision for Cambridge Public Schools. Watch the Community Conversation with host Tony Clark today and get to know Mr. Murphy.
Find It Cambridge - Introducing Andrew!
Did you know Find It Cambridge is more than a website – it’s also a service? When you call, text, or email Andrew Liedtka, the Find It Cambridge Manager, he can help with your searches, recommend programs for your family’s needs, or connect you with organizations that can help.
Ask Andrew for help at [email protected] or 617.686.2998.
What We’re Celebrating This Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is meant to recognize and celebrate the history, culture, achievements, and contributions of the Hispanic/Latin community. It was first celebrated in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, it was expanded to a 30-day period from September 15 to October 15. These dates are intentional because September 15 marks the anniversaries of the independence of five countries in Latin America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico also celebrates its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18.
National IT Professionals Day
Tomorrow, September 17, is National Information Technology Professionals Day. Our Information, Communication, Technology & Services (ICTS) Department is essential to our operations, providing the technical infrastructure and services necessary to support teaching, learning, and administration. Our students and staff benefit from their support daily. Thank you ICTS for all that you do!
Remembering James Earl Jones’ Visit to CRLS
Acclaimed and iconic actor, James Earl Jones, most known for voicing the role of “Darth Vader” in the “Star Wars” franchise, passed away at the age of 93 earlier this month.
Mr. Jones also starred in popular films such as “Coming to America,” “Field of Dreams,” and “The Lion King.” Following the release of “The Sandlot” in 1993, Cambridge Rindge and Latin, in partnership with the Cambridge Library Association, welcomed him to the school where he discussed his autobiography “Voices and Silences.”
Mr. Jones then met with the school’s Drama Department and Black Student Union for an exclusive interview where he “stressed the significance and benefits of focus, ambition, and overcoming the odds to reach for the highest star,” as stated in the October edition of “The Register Forum,” our high school student newspaper.
It was such an incredible honor for the City of Cambridge and Cambridge Public Schools to host Mr. Jones. May his endearing legacy live on.
In the District
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!
Back-to-School Events
Each school has put together some details for their back-to-school events, check out the calendar and save-the-date for your child’s school celebrations!
See the calendar for school events here.
In the Community
Webinar: Social Media and Youth Mental Health: What You Need to Do
Tuesday, September 17 | 7-8PM
Increase your understanding of the impact of social media on mental health and learn how to best support children in building a healthy relationship with social media. Register today with Cartwheel.
Cambridge Mosaic
Friday, September 20 | 5:30 - 9PM
The Brattle Theatre (40 Brattle Street)
Join the Office of Mayor Simmons and the Cambridge Museum of History and Culture for a 30-minute documentary featuring the invaluable and diverse memories of longtime Cambridge residents. The Harvard Square Business Association will host a reception after. RSVP here.
Danehy Park Family Day
Saturday, September 21 | 11AM-3PM
Danehy Park (99 Sherman Street)
Enjoy activities, crafts, performances, and more during Danehy Park Family Day. Free fun for the whole family!
Cambridge Science Festival
September 23 - 29
Celebrate science during this city-wide Science Festival! With activities throughout the city, you will surely find something to explore. The festival will close with a Science Carnival on Sunday.
Check out the full schedule here.
District & Community Resources
After-School Programming Kickoff
More than 55 community partners, educators, and providers focused on delivering quality afterschool youth programs came together last week during the annual Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time Network Kickoff meeting!
The CPS Family Engagement Team joined all providers to participate in professional learning and meaningful discussions around how to center the voices and needs of Kindergarten through Grade 8 children and youth across Cambridge. This kickoff left our team of providers excited to collaborate on supporting students beyond the school day during the upcoming year.
Cartoonist Visits CRLS Students
New York Times bestselling cartoonist Jen Wang recently visited with CRLS students! She discussed her journey as an artist and storyteller. Big thanks to Wang for visiting and to Porter Square Books Foundation for making this event happen and providing an autographed book for each student!