Greetings CPS Community…
We are pleased to announce that the City Council voted unanimously last Wednesday to adopt the $268 million Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. The FY 2025 budget provides funding for the school district from
July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The online budget platform will be available soon, and you can
access the adopted budget here.
Over the next several weeks we will also continue to share information about the 30 minutes of additional learning time that will begin next school year in elementary and upper schools. Schools will be sending home flyers in the coming days with the new start and end times and we will continue to add information to our
website. We encourage you to review the
community presentation, which provides an overview of the new schedule.
Last but not least, I am pleased to share that the school calendar for next school year is now available on our website and linked below within this newsletter.
Have a wonderful week…Make It Great!
Dr. Victoria L. Greer
Headlines
2024-2025 School Calendar
Next school year’s (2024-2025) calendar is now available! Click here or on the image below to see it.
May 7th School Committee Recap
A School Committee meeting was held last Tuesday. Highlights include...
Interested in receiving email notifications about meetings? Join the School Committee listserv.
Register for Wednesday’s May Family/Caregiver Virtual Dinner Hour
May’s Family/Caregiver Virtual Dinner Hour will be held this 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.
Opportunities for Community and Parent/Caregiver Participation
Caregiver and Community Advisory Council (CCAC) – District-wide
The CCAC council will advise the superintendent and the district’s executive leadership team regarding matters concerning the education, wellbeing, and overall success of our students.
We are seeking parents/caregivers, community members, students, educators, and representatives from various stakeholder groups to serve on the CCAC. Together, the council will serve as a vital bridge between the school district's administration, the community, and caregivers/families.
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 next Friday, May 24.
School Council – Building Specific
Election season is underway for the 2024-25 School Council. 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.
We are seeking parents/caregivers of current CPS students and staff members at individual CPS schools to work collaboratively to support the implementation of existing and new programs as well as ensuring robust family engagement.
- School nominations are now available.
- Voting takes place 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.
If you have questions please contact your child’s principal or the district’s Director of Family Engagement, Dr. Raymond Porch, at [email protected].
Free Translation Services – City Multilingual Call Line
The City of Cambridge has launched a Multilingual Helpline pilot that will allow residents to access services and resources offered by the city in their preferred language with the assistance of professional interpreters.
To access the service, callers can follow a few simple steps:
- Call 617.865.2273, and select a preferred language or wait for assistance from a vendor representative.
- Once connected with an interpreter, callers can address their request or question, and the interpreter will remain on the line until the City Department addresses their question or concern or refers them to another community organization.*
*If an interpreter is unavailable, callers are encouraged to leave a message, and a follow-up call will be scheduled as soon as an interpreter becomes available.
The Multilingual Helpline can be reached at 617.865.2273 on weekdays during business hours.
Featured Events & Opportunities
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.
- **Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 14 | 1:30 - 3:30PM (Graham & Parks School)
- ** This, 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.
Kindergarten Model Cities Debut at City Hall
A few weeks ago our kindergarten students learned about the various organizations and structures that make up a community as part of the Focus on K2 curriculum. Mayor Denise Simmons asked for their help in visualizing what a fairer Cambridge might look like. As a result, they crafted model cities to demonstrate their vision. Last week the Mayor’s office held a welcome and special proclamation for our students, families, staff and community at city hall to celebrate their work. Their model cities were on display all of last week at city hall! Congratulations to our early learners on successfully learning and showcasing what they have learned about community!
CRLS Scores Seal of Biliteracy
Congratulations to our Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School students who were awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy. The award recognizes high school graduates who demonstrate high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and a world language in recognition of having studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages upon graduating.
71 students received a State Seal of Biliteracy, out of those students, 7 received 2 Seals of Biliteracy each for their proficiency in an additional language.
Double recipients include…
Tullia De Caro (French and Italian); Anais Pite (Spanish and French); Juliette Coley (Spanish and French); Katerina Triantafyllou (Spanish and Greek); Robert Lermusiaux (French and Spanish). Not pictured *Prasanna Sebastian (Spanish and Chinese) and *Thu Vu (Vietnamese and Chinese).
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