Greetings CPS community!
The past couple of weeks have been busy. We had a robust discussion at the School Committee Round Table last Tuesday, where I presented my entry plan findings to the School Committee. I am excited about our next steps and the findings guiding us in moving the district forward. If you have not reviewed the report, please take time to review it as it will take our entire community to
excel on the path to continuous improvement of our district. I assure you the work is ongoing and I look forward to sharing an update with you in early 2022.
Tomorrow, I, along with members of my Executive Leadership Team, will begin laying out the 2022-2023 budget process, which will include an extensive series of community engagement meetings. We will share that information with you as we finalize the dates.
I would like to commend our educators who have taken the required steps to vaccinate or test daily. Over 90% of our teachers are fully vaccinated. We will continue to work collaboratively with our union representatives and our staff to ensure the health and safety of our schools.
With the holiday season upon us, I want to send you a friendly reminder about our travel quarantine policy. Please refer to the CPS Health and Safety Manual for further guidance.
Thank you for your continued support. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Make it Great!
Dr. Victoria L. Greer
Interim Superintendent
Cambridge Public Schools
Holiday Gathering Tips
Whether you are traveling near or far, stay safe with these tips!
Conflict of Interest Law and Gift Giving
We are very fortunate to have a generous school community. At this time of year, it is a tradition for somefamilies to give gifts to school staff to show their appreciation. Please review the following letter from Dr. Greer regarding compliance with the state’s Conflict of Interest Law as it relates to gift giving.
PLEASE COMPLETE: Test and Stay Consent Form
With COVID cases on the rise and a potential for a spike following the Winter Break, please complete a consent form for the Test and Stay program if your child is unvaccinated. To complete a consent form, login into the Family Portal or send a signed paper copy of this form to school with your child.
COVID Question of the Week: Learning in Quarantine
With a rise in COVID cases, we know families have questions about learning expectations when students or staff are in quarantine.
1. How are learning opportunities provided to students who are required to quarantine?
Individual students who are required to quarantine will be provided with learning opportunities that are developmentally and pedagogically appropriate for the student (assuming they are well enough to complete the work). Each quarantine will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the appropriate services for each student. This updated document, CPS Quarantine Instructional Guidelines for SY2021-22, summarizes what JK-12 students and families can expect under a range of possible quarantine circumstances.
2. Will a student who is quarantining have access to a CPS Chromebook and/or internet hotspot?
CPS recognizes that student/family access to technology at home can be a barrier to learning. In alignment with our priorities to advance equitable access to learning, CPS will support students’ educational technology needs during quarantine as follows.
Students who have been required by CPS or CPHD to quarantine due to COVID and do not have home access to technology are eligible to request a CPS device to use during quarantine, which is typically between 5 -10 days, but may be longer due to the specific circumstances of the individual. (UPDATED COVID Testing and Quarantine Protocols)
- Student/family makes Chromebook or internet hotspot request to teacher
- School-based ICTS staff will work with district ICTS staff to distribute the needed devices (Chromebook/Hotspot) and secure the appropriate paperwork and family signatures.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Shot Opportunities
COVID-19 Vaccines Available for CRLS Students at Teen Health Center
The Teen Health Center at CRLS is offering COVID-19 vaccines every Friday from 9AM - 1PM for CRLS students only. Because doses are limited, appointments are required. CRLS students should call 617-665-1548 or visit the clinic to schedule an appointment.
- 12-15 years old: must come to the appointment with a parent/guardian
- 16 -17 years old: may come alone but must have two signed consent forms (one fromstate and one from CHA:English |Haitian Creole |Portuguese |Spanish)
- 18 years old+: may come alone
Additional Vaccination Opportunities
- Go toVaxFinder to find a location near you.
- VaxAbilities is hosting disability-friendly vaccine clinics around the state. Additional staff will be at these clinics to provide skilled support to individuals with disabilities and sensory support needs. Register here.
Free Internet for Qualifying Families
Cambridge Public Schools continues to partner with Comcast’s Internet Essentials Program to close the digital divide and connect CPS families to free internet. Eligible families can receive free internet service through June 30, 2022.
Your family is eligible if:
- Qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch
- Live in a Cambridge zip code where Comcast Internet Service is available.
- Have not had Comcast Internet Service in the last 90 days.
- Households who owe money to Comcast may still qualify if approved by 6/30/22
Eligible families should use the personalized voucher code they received by email last week to apply online at InternetEssentials.com or call 844-963-0178. If you need help in applying, please contact your student’s family liaison.
For more information, please visit our website.
SAVE THE DATE: FY23 Budget Development-Community Meetings
The School Committee will discuss an updated timeline for the development of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which runs from July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023, at tomorrow’s meeting.
CPS invites students, families and staff to Save-the-Date for the FY23 Budget Virtual Community Meetings, where members of the CPS community will join Superintendent Greer and School Committee members to share their perspectives on budget priorities for next year.
- Thursday January 13 | 7 and 8PM
- Wednesday, January 26
- Bengali speaking families | 6PM
- Haitian Creole speaking families | 7PM
- Arabic speaking families | 8PM
- Wednesday, February 2 | 3 and 4PM
- Thursday February 3
- Amharic speaking families | 6PM
- Spanish speaking families | 7PM
- Cambridge family organizations | 8PM
- Saturday, February 12 | 10 and 11AM
- Community Meetings with Students: Dates TBD
Each session will last approximately one hour. Register here.
Caught Doing Good
Success Story! CRLS Transitions to Work Graduate Flourishes as Dietary Aide
We are so proud of CRLS Transitions to Work (TTW) graduate, Blessing, who is thriving in her role as a Dietary Aide at Spaulding Rehab, which Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) Boston partners with! Blessing is a CRLS graduate who successfully completed Transitions to Work (TTW) last December.
She was also recently highlighted in this Chronicle 5 segment. Blessing’s success is a reminder of the value of CPS’ partnerships with workforce development organizations, such as JVS, which empower and inspire individuals to build careers.
CRLS Senior Named to Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team
Congratulations to CRLS’ Chris Gould, who was named to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team for Boys’ Cross-Country!
“Chris is a fantastic young man, and has been a true Scholar Athlete his entire high school career,” said Director of Athletics Tom Arria. “He has worked tirelessly to achieve such a well deserved honor! He is a true leader and great representative of Cambridge Rindge and Latin Athletics.”
The Globe's Fall All-Scholastic section will be published on Sunday, January 9.
Are you proud of something happening in your school, classroom or program? Share your
“Caught Doing Good” story with [email protected].
Featured Events
2022-23 JK/K Lottery
The JK/K Lottery for the 2022-2023 school year opens on January 3, 2022 and closes promptly at 4PM on January 31, 2022. All registrations must be fully completed, including all language testing to determine eligibility for Program Language Bonus points.
Cambridge Families of Color Coalition (CFCC): Community Gathering
Tuesday, January 11 | 6:30-8PM
Register
SAVE THE DATE: FY23 Budget Meetings
CPS invites students, families and staff to Save-the-Date for the FY23 Budget Virtual Community Meetings, where members of the CPS community will join Superintendent Greer and School Committee members to share their perspectives on budget priorities for next year.
Thursday January 13 | 7 and 8PM
Wednesday, January 26
- Bengali speaking families | 6PM
- Haitian Creole speaking families | 7PM
- Arabic speaking families | 8PM
Wednesday, February 2 | 3 and 4PM
Thursday February 3
- Amharic speaking families | 6PM
- Spanish speaking families | 7PM
- Cambridge family organizations | 8PM
Saturday, February 12 | 10 and 11AM
Community Meetings with Students: Dates TBD
Each session will last approximately one hour.
Register
Calendar
CPS 2021-22 School calendar
Friday, December 24-Friday, December 31 | Winter Break
Sunday, December 26 | Kwanzaa Begins
Monday, January 3 | Back to School
Monday, January 17 | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day-No School and Admin Offices Closed
In Case You Missed It
December CPS Lunch Menu: Week 4 (December 20-December 23)
COVID-19 Testing Consent Forms: Log in to the Family Portal
UPDATED CPS Testing & Quarantine Protocols
Student Vaccination Portal: Upload proof of vaccination or submit exemption requests through the secure Family Portal.
Sign Up for the Edulog Bus Tracker New App:Visit CPS’ Transportation webpage
Student Vaccination Requirements Information: FAQ
Picture of the Week
Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools Groundbreaking
The City of Cambridge and CPS celebrated the construction of the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools with a groundbreaking ceremony last Wednesday. The new schools will replace the existing school, located between Vassal Lane, Concord Avenue and Alpine Street. The state-of-the-art facility will house the Tobin Montessori School, Vassal Lane Upper School and multiple Department of Human Service Programs, including Special Start. The groundbreaking marks a milestone for the project, which is expected to open to students in the fall of 2025.