Message from Superintendent Greer: May 3, 2022

Message from Superintendent Greer: May 3, 2022
Posted on 05/03/2022

victoria greerGreetings CPS Community!

I would like to extend my deep appreciation again to all of our teachers. We celebrate you each and every day and certainly this week in honor of National Teacher Appreciation. You are the bedrock of all that we do. On behalf of the district, thank you for your commitment and dedication to our students.

 

Following months of thoughtful planning and extensive stakeholder engagement, our new incident reporting system, Speakfully, has launched. We believe this system is the right tool as it will allow members of our school community to safely report situations of concern or any situations that make them feel unsafe. Individuals can also choose to make anonymous reports that allow for an additional layer of confidentiality. To learn more about Speakfully, visit www.bit.ly/cpsspeakfullynow.

 

Our district planning process is also moving forward. This week, students across the district will share their perspectives on the Vision, Mission and Core Values that will guide our next district plan. Next week, we will share the working draft with the full community for your feedback. And later this month, we will kick off discussions about the outcomes we will use to set goals and measure progress toward this vision, as well as the strategic priorities that will serve as the foundation for our work for the next few years.

Thank you for your engagement and continued support.
 

Make it Great!
 

Dr. Victoria L. Greer
 


Teachers…We Appreciate You!

Check out this awesome shout video from each of our Principals in celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Day!
 


What We Are Celebrating This Month!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. We honor the contributions of over 50 unique ethnic groups who speak more than 100 different languages. May was selected as AAPI Heritage Month since the first record of Japanese Americans migrating to the United States was in May of 1843 and the first transcontinental railroad was completed in May of 1869. Many of the laborers who built the railroad were Chinese American. Today, over seven percent of Americans are AAPI.
 


Acclaimed Local Latina Author Visits with 8th Graders


Local Latina author Jennifer De Leon spent some time with our 8th graders

last week visiting each of our upper schools and Amigos!

During her visit, Ms. De Leon shared key questions about what shaped her identity, such as Where are you from? Where are you from-from? Where are you really from? They inspired her to write Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, in which first-generation, Latinx teen Liliana Cruz does what it takes to fit in at her nearly all-white school.

In an honest and energizing conversation about race and belonging, Ms. De Leon pulled back the curtain on her life experiences. Students had the opportunity to ask her candid questions about her identity, craft and the coming soon television series, which is inspired by the book!


Looking for Summer Opportunities?
Check out these interactive resources from the Elementary School Network and Middle School Network with a compilation of summer programs and opportunities for students in grades K-5 Summer Programs 2022or 6-8 Middle School Summer Programs 2022.
 

At-Home Testing: You Can Still Opt In!

Students and staff members who opt in can rapid test at home weekly.

HIGHLIGHTS OF AT-HOME RAPID TESTING PLAN:

  • ANY student or staff member can participate in the new at-home rapid testing program regardless of vaccination status.
  • The testing program is VOLUNTARY. Opt-in through the CPS Family Portal.
  • Individuals will receive a kit every 2 weeks; each kit will contain 2 tests and instructions for using the self-test.
For more information, visit www.cpsd.us/covid19/covidtesting.

COVID Updates

Following ongoing discussions with the Cambridge Public Health Department and the Health, Safety, and Facilities Working Group, we continue to review and update our COVID protocols to reflect current conditions. As updates are made, we will notify the CPS community in a timely manner.

**Please note that these updates are subject to further changes as conditions evolve.**


School-Day Snacks and Meals

Effective today, the protocol for snacks and meals during the school day is as follows:

  • Students no longer need to sit facing one direction during lunch and meals.
  • Schools may use cafeterias for meals as long as ventilation protocols are followed.
  • Students are allowed to speak during lunch and there is no longer any requirement to remain silent during snacks and meals.

Vaccination Status

CPS and CPHD follow the CDC definitions of “fully vaccinated” and “up-to-date.” See the COVID manual for more details.

Timeline:

  • Beginning today, volunteers, guests and parents/caregivers participating in classroom activities must be fully vaccinated and up-to-date on their vaccinations.
  • Beginning today, all new hires must be fully vaccinated and up-to-date on their vaccinations.
  • For the start of the 2022-23 school year, all students must be fully vaccinated and up-to-date OR have received an approved exemption to participate in before or after school activities.

Exemptions: Staff and students may request exemptions from the vaccination

requirements as follows:

  • Religious Exemption: Explanation in writing from a parent/guardian that a vaccine conflicts with their sincerely held religious belief (in alignment with state law)
  • Medical Exemption: Clear documentation from a doctor or health care provider of a medical condition that makes vaccination risky or unsafe
  • Students with Special Needs Exemption: Clear documentation from a doctor or health care provider of an issue that would serve as a barrier to vaccination

Food at Events for CPS and External Permits

Food will be permitted at CPS-sponsored events and for external organizations as follows:

  1. Optimal ventilation measures are taken, such as HEPA filters are running and windows and doors are open where possible.
  2. CPS EVENTS: To safeguard multigenerational households, encourage events that involve eating be held outside
  3. EXTERNAL PERMITS: Only cafeterias that can reach 4 air exchanges or greater, without further mitigation, are eligible for use.

Cafeteria Use for External Permits

External organizations may resume applying for a permit to use a CPS cafeteria as follows:

  • Optimal ventilation measures are taken, such as HEPA filters are running and windows and doors are open where possible.

Building Access During the School Day

Entry into buildings must continue to be managed.

  • Parents/caregivers may not enter the building without an appointment (e.g. dropoff or pickup), except in situations where the school contacts the parent/caregiver. Vaccinations are recommended but not required.
  • Volunteers, guests and parents/caregivers participating in classroom activities must have an appointment or be scheduled to enter the building.
    • Individuals must be fully vaccinated and beginning today must be up-to-date, according to CDC definitions. Proof of up-to-date vaccination must be provided upon entry.
    • Individuals will be offered masks upon entry.
    • Masks are required for volunteers, guests and parents/caregivers in special settings with more vulnerable populations and those who are not eligible for vaccination: Special Start classroom, substantially separate classrooms, and preschool/JK classrooms.
  • School Tours and Open Houses may resume as follows:
    • Tours are scheduled and registration is required.
    • Masks are required for all visitors and vaccinations are strongly encouraged, due to possible interaction with more vulnerable populations and those who are not eligible for vaccination: Special Start classroom, substantially separate classrooms, and preschool/JK classrooms.
    • Schools should continue to offer a virtual option for tours and open house-related events.
  • Contactless delivery procedures should remain in place where possible.

Caught Doing Good

Are you proud of something happening in your school, classroom or program? Share your

“Caught Doing Good” story with [email protected].
 

Featured Events

Caregiver Equity Summit


The Caregiver Equity Summit is an exciting opportunity for caregivers to share their experiences and knowledge of equity with each other and CPS. Caregivers will be able to build community with each other in an anti-racist and equitable environment as well as take away key action steps that they can take to create an anti-racist and equitable district.

 

Saturday, June 4 | Time TBD

The event will be held in-person
Location TBD


School Calendar

CPS 2021-22 School calendar

 

All Schools and Admin Offices Closed:

  • Wednesday, May 11 | Early Release Day (JK-8)
  • Monday, May 30 | Memorial Day
  • Monday, June 20 | Juneteenth (Observed)
  • Wednesday, June 29 | Last Day of School - Early Release for All Grades

In Case You Missed It: Key Resources

2022-23 JK/K Registration: The lottery is closed for the 2022-23 school year; If you are interested in registering your child, visit our registration webpage for more information.

May Lunch Menu: Week 1 (May 3 - May 6)

COVID-19 Testing/At-Home Weekly Testing Forms: Log in to the Family Portal

COVID-19 Testing & Quarantine Protocols

CPS Quarantine Instructional Guidelines for SY2021-22

Free Internet for Qualifying Families: Comcast’s Internet Essentials Program

Pictures of the Week

Peabody Poetry Day

Peabody students shined yet again in Peabody’s Poetry Day event! Students were thrilled to read their poems and hear those of their classmates. Their smiles and laughter were contagious!

 


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