Greetings CPS Community…
Last week we celebrated the Class of 2024 at the CRLS and HSEP graduation ceremonies. Graduation is a momentous occasion honoring the perseverance and dedication defined by a student’s academic and personal journey. We are unbelievably proud to celebrate our graduates and wish them the best of luck as they enter this new chapter in their lives. As we look toward the conclusion of the school year, we continue to celebrate our existing students during our graduation and moving on ceremonies at various schools.
Please note that next Monday, June 17, will be the last issue of the Greer Gazette. The weekly newsletter cadence will resume in August with a summer newsletter on July 22.
Have a wonderful week… Make It Great!
Dr. Victoria L. Greer
Headlines
Congratulations Class of 2024
Congratulations to our seniors! Our faculty and staff have had the honor of watching our seniors grow into young adults capable of achieving whatever they put their minds to. We look forward to your continued success!
Missed our commencement ceremony? Watch the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School’s ceremony here or the High School Extension Program ceremony here.
Summer 2024 Contact List
Please note that our school buildings are closed through Monday, September 2. If you have a question over the summer, please see our list of summer contacts. (አማርኛ | عربي | বাংলা | Kreyòl ayisyen | Español). Staff at your child’s school will be available to answer any questions you may have beginning Monday, August 19.
Fall Sports Registration Open
Interested in participating in an athletic team at CRLS next fall? Registration for Fall Athletics is open through Tuesday, August 13.
Find It Cambridge
Looking to find a program, event or resources in the city? Look no further than Find It Cambridge. In a city with so many offerings, Find It Cambridge is the place to start your search. With their newly designed website, helping you find what you need is only a click away. Explore the new Find It Cambridge website here.
Summer Resource Guide
The Cambridge Agenda for Children has assembled a complete guide to summer programming in and around the city. Check out our summer programming below!
Explore more in our Cambridge 2024 Summer Resource Guide (Kindergarten - 8)!
Featured Events & Opportunities
Zero Waste Kickoff Event
The City’s first Zero Waste Master Plan was finalized in 2018. Since then, the City has launched 10 programs to reduce trash in residential and small business buildings. The City is embarking on Zero Waste Plan 2.0 to reduce trash, enhance pest control, combat climate change, manage increasing trash disposal costs, and more! The City needs your help to envision the path to zero waste!
- When: **This Wednesday, June 12 | 6:30 - 7:30PM
- Where: Cambridge Street Upper School/King Open Community Complex (Entrance at 830 Cambridge Street)
The kick-off event will have free food, free compost bags, kids' activities, and fun ways to provide feedback to the City on our waste systems.
If you’re unable to attend and would still like to comment on the plan in English, Español, Português, 普通话, አማርኛ, or Kreyòl Ayisyen please visit www.CambridgeMA.Gov/ZWMP after June 12.
Kick Into Summer With a Kung Fu Movie Night
Get ready for summer with a FREE family friendly movie night hosted by the Cambridge Youth Council in collaboration with the Offices of Mayor Simmons and City Manager Huang.
Watch America’s favorite dumpling-eating panda retire from using his masterful martial arts skills to take on the task of leading his land…if only he knew how. During this transition, danger strikes and he is tasked with training the next generation warrior amid crisis while exploring his new role as leader. Understanding he’s going to need help, he calls in some friends.
- When: Thursday, June 20 | Doors open at 6:30PM and the movie begins at 7PM
- Where: Starlight in Central Square (84 Bishop Allen Drive Lot 5)
Bollywood Night
Bollywood Night is back! The Office of Mayor Simmons and Councillor Siddiqui are excited to present the 4th annual Bollywood Night. Stop by to enjoy delicious food, music, henna, dance performances and lessons!
Juneteenth Parade and Celebration
Join us for our 3rd Annual Juneteenth Parade and Celebration! Together we will reflect on progress, celebrate the joy and unity of the Black community, and acknowledge the work that lies ahead. Come join us for a celebration of our Heritage, History, Essay Contest Winners, Inaugural Trailblazer Award, food, activities, and FUN!
- When: Wednesday, June 19
- Where: Parade begins at 10AM | Cambridge City Hall (795 Massachusetts Ave) and concludes at Riverside Press Park begins (corner of River Street and Memorial Drive). The Juneteenth Celebration will begin after the parade from 11AM till 4PM.
ACE Summer Program: What's All The Racquet?
The All Court Enrichment (ACE) Tennis and Writing Summer Program has finally made its way to Cambridge! ACE provides high quality summer programs that focus on sharing the sport of tennis while fostering a love of writing in a safe, inclusive and fun environment.
The Cambridge program is open to children ages 7 - 14 years old. Scholarships are available.
- When:
- Week 1: July 22 - 26 | 9:30AM - 12:30PM
- Week 2: July 29 - August 2 | 9:30AM - 12:30PM
- Where: Community Tennis Courts (Ellery Street in Cambridge)
- Registration for the ACE program is required.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
June 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.
- ** Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 11 | 1:30 - 3:30PM (Graham & Parks School)
- **This Wednesday, June 12 | 1:45 - 3:45PM (Fletcher Maynard Academy)
- ** This Wednesday, June 12 | 2 - 4PM (Kennedy-Longfellow School/Vassal Lane Upper School)
- Tuesday, June 18 | 3 - 4:30PM (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School/Putnam Ave Upper School)
- Thursday, June 20 | 3:15 - 5:15PM (Peabody School/Rindge Avenue Upper School)
- See the full list of free food markets for the 2023-2024 school year.
Dismantling Disability Bias With the Bionic Project
Haggerty students from preschool to 2nd grade had a special visit from the Bionic Project! The goal of the Bionic Project is to “dismantle disability bias through education, story and sport.” Each classroom visit started with a discussion around how to make a friend, particularly when the other person is different from yourself. Students learned the importance of introducing themselves and finding common interests instead of asking personal questions. Together, they read the book,
What happened to you? by James Catchpole and had group discussions. Students also got to meet members of the Bionic team who are elite adaptive soccer athletes and got to see their skills in action!
State Civics Project Showcase
CPS was proudly represented at the Massachusetts 2024 Civics Project Showcase last week in Worcester. Six projects (4 from upper schools and 2 from high school) were presented. Out of more than 80 projects, only four projects were highlighted specifically, including the 8th grade project on Juvenile Justice Education from Rindge Avenue Upper Campus!
Pictured is Frida Ulm of Cambridge Street Upper School with her civics project Protest Encampments on Local College Campuses.
Congratulations to RSTA Alumni Charly Pierre Who Recently Starred On Top Chef!
Charly's love for Culinary Arts was influenced by his father who was a professional chef, his mother who made Haitian dishes rooted in their Haitian heritage, and his early exposure to a wide array of cultural dishes reflective of the Cambridge community.
During his time at CRLS/RSTA , he majored in Culinary. Charly was involved in the Anthony Spinazzola Foundation Gala with our CCAPS team. After graduating, he was awarded a scholarship to Southern New Hampshire University School of Culinary Arts. Today, he is the proud owner of Fritai Nola, a Haitian Street Food restaurant in New Orleans. He shared that “being a chef is something that’s deeply rooted in me. I have always dreamed of owning a restaurant and cooking the food of my culture while fostering a fun learning environment.”
Since the launch of Fritai Nola in 2016, the restaurant has won 2 best restaurant awards in Eaters NOLA , has been a James Beard Finalist and more!
Key Resources
Mark Your Calendar
Wednesday, June 19 | Juneteenth (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Monday, June 24 | Last Day of School Early Release (All Grades)