Greetings CPS Community!
I hope you had a restful weekend.
We are excited to engage with you at this Thursday’s community budget meeting. The meeting will be hybrid and will run from 6 to 8PM. I encourage you to register and learn more by visiting the links included in the budget section below. We hope to see you there!
A reminder that our Kindergarten Lottery will close this Wednesday at 4PM. All applications must be completed in full, including all language testing. Visit our website to access the application and learn more.
Thank you for your continued support.
Make it Great!
Planning for the 2024-2025 Budget
Register for This Thursday’s Community Budget Meeting
There is still time to register for this Thursday’s hybrid (in-person and virtual) community engagement/information session. Students are welcome to participate as well!
When: **This Thursday, February 1 | 6 - 8PM (Dinner will be served at 5:30.)
Where: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Media Cafe located at 459 Broadway
- To register to attend in-person or virtually, click here. Please note that we have created two events in the portal. One is to sign up for the in-person option and the other is to sign up for the virtual option.
- Childcare and transportation will be provided (a list of pick up locations and schedule will be available soon).
The 2024-2025 budget aims to align resources to objectives and initiatives outlined in the CPS District Plan. Your feedback is needed to fully inform budget priorities for the upcoming school year. Together, we will briefly review budget basics and the District Plan; attendees will share their thoughts on budget priorities with Administration.
Tips for Understanding the Budget:
- School Council meetings offer insight into what your school has strategically outlined as a fiscal priority to support learning in their classroom communities. Access upcoming School Council meetings here.
- Review last Tuesday’s School Committee 2024-2025 Budget Process presentation here.
- Review Dr. Greer’s Proposed 2024-2025 Budget when it is available Tuesday, March 12.
- Attend the School Committee Budget Workshop on Thursday, March 14.
Headlines
Kindergarten Lottery Closes This Wednesday!
The Kindergarten Lottery for the 2024-2025 school year will be open through 4PM on Wednesday, January 31. All registrations must be fully completed, including all language testing to determine eligibility for Program Language Bonus points. To learn more, visit our website.
MBTA Red Line Closure February 5 – 14: Community ‘Need to Knows’
Beginning next Monday, February 5 through Wednesday, February 14, there will be no service on the Red Line from Alewife to Harvard Square from start of service to 8:45PM. The closures will extend to Park Street from 8:45PM to close of service.
- From start of service to 8:45PM, shuttle buses will replace Red Line service between Alewife and Harvard Square.
- From 8:45PM to close of service, shuttles will replace Red Line service between Alewife and Park Street.
Free shuttle buses will be available and ADA accessible. The route will remain the same. Check out the City of Cambridge flyer here to learn more.
What does this mean for you?
We encourage you to plan for longer than average commute times, whether you are driving, taking a shuttle, or riding the bus. The closures will likely cause increased road traffic as well as reduced street parking in some areas along the shuttle route.
For additional information, visit the MBTA website.
Subscribe to the Department of Human Service Programs’ New Newsletter
Are you interested in learning about programs, opportunities, and events for Cambridge kids, teens, and families offered by the City of Cambridge? Subscribe to the Department of Human Service Programs’ (DHSP) new monthly newsletter! “DHSP News for Kids, Teens, and Families” will share updates from across DHSP’s child and youth-serving divisions. The first newsletter go out this Wednesday!
Subscribe through this link!
January 23rd School Committee Budget Workshop Recap
Moving forward, we will include a brief summary of each School Committee meeting that highlights presentations and any key votes that impact district policies and procedures as well as a link to the meeting.
A School Committee Budget Workshop was held last Tuesday.
Interested in receiving email notifications about meetings? Join the School Committee listserv
Featured Events & Opportunities
Family Foundry Festival
Looking for free, family-centered fun over February vacation? The Foundry Consortium invites families to join the second annual Family Festival!
- When: February 17 - 24
- Where: The Foundry (101 Rogers Street, Cambridge)
Embracing this year’s theme of “Change Making”, attendees can experience art, design and STEM programs that drive social change. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in as many activities as they wish! Explore programming here.
Free Webinar: Recognizing and Treating OCD and Tic Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Our mental health partner, Cartwheel, is offering another free live webinar to share how parents, caregivers and staff can identify signs of OCD and tic disorders in youth and help them thrive.
Join guest speaker, Dr. Erica Greenberg, to learn how symptoms can be impairing (or not), how to seek professional help, and best practices for treatment.
- Wednesday, February 6 | 7 - 8PM
- Register here for the webinar
Free Science Club for Girls…Apply Today!
Science Club for Girls' mission is to foster excitement, confidence, and literacy in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for girls and gender-expansive youth from underrepresented communities by providing free, experiential programs and by maximizing meaningful interactions with women-in-STEM mentors.
- Clubs will begin the week of February 26 and run for 8 weeks. Programs will be held virtually via zoom or in-person; to offer flexibility and convenience, participants are able to choose one of six weekly meeting times.
- Mondays | 4 - 5PM (virtual)
- Tuesdays | 4:30 - 5:30PM (virtual)
- Thursdays | 4 - 5PM (virtual)
- Fridays | 3 - 4:15PM (Amigos School located at 15 Upton Street)
- Saturdays | 10:30 - 11:30AM (virtual)
- Saturdays | 10:30 - 11:30AM (Prospect Hill Academy located at 50 Essex Street)
- Saturdays | 10:30 - 11:30AM (University Park located at 65 Franklin Street)
- Space is limited…apply today! **Registering is not a guarantee of acceptance. You will be notified as soon as possible regarding an available space for your child.**
Participants in our virtual programs will use Zoom via a computer, laptop, tablet, or phone with internet access. All other materials will be provided free of charge and distributed at a convenient location prior to the first week of clubs.
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.
- **This Wednesday, January 31 | 1:45 - 3:45PM (Fletcher Maynard Academy)
- **This Wednesday, January 31 | 2 - 4PM (Kennedy-Longfellow School/Vassal Lane Upper School)
- See the full list of free food markets for the 2023-2024 school year.
“Stellar” CRLS Scholar Recognized in International STEM Research Competition
Congratulations to Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Senior, Alexandra Mahajan, who placed in the top 40 in the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search for her project: A Novel Method To Determine Precise Stellar Radii and Temperatures of Low Mass Stars Using JWST Transits and Occultations! As a top 40 finalist, Alexandra is awarded a minimum of $25,000, along with an additional $2,000 for herself and her school in recognition of her exceptional STEM research and innovation.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search received a record-breaking 2,162 entries across 46 states, Puerto Rico, and 10 other countries. The projects cover diverse topics, such as artificial intelligence, climate change solutions, and mental health, reflecting the scholars' commitment to addressing global challenges.
Alexandra has the opportunity to compete for up to $250,000 in awards in Washington, D.C., in March. This prestigious competition, now in its 102nd year, continues to identify and support the next generation of scientific leaders.
Alexandra proudly represents CPS as she joins the ranks of 13 Nobel prize winners, 22 MacArthur Foundation Fellows and many other distinguished alumni of the Science Talent Search. This honor identifies Alexandra Mahajan among the nation’s most promising young scientists or mathematicians. We are so proud of Alexandra!
Morse Students ‘Up to Bat’ in Cricket Collaboration
Morse School’s physical education teachers Mr. Fousek, Mr. Bloy, and Ms. Mae partnered with Friends of Morse School President, Vivek Sikri, to bring the sport of Cricket to fifth grade students! Vivek, who is a Morse parent, has been joining the fifth grade Physical Education block to help instruct students in the sport. This sport began in England and through the process of colonization, it spread across the world.
It has been very exciting for our students - both as something new to learn and also for those students who feel represented because cricket is a popular sport in their heritage.
We are grateful for the ways in which this educator - caregiver collaboration has enhanced student learning!
Key Resources
Mark Your Calendar
Monday, February 19 - Friday, February 23 | February Break (No School & CPS Offices Closed on Monday, February 19)
Tuesday, March 5 | Staff Professional Development Day (No School)
Wednesday, March 13 | Early Release (Grades JK-8)
Friday, March 29 | Good Friday (No School & CPS Offices Closed)