Greer Gazette: November 20, 2023

Posted on 11/20/2023

Greetings CPS Community!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

Our first Climate Survey since 2020 will open next Monday, November 27. Our school community (families, students, and staff) will have an opportunity to share feedback about their experiences in our schools and district. We are striving to provide high quality learning experiences to meet the needs of all of our scholars and a supportive work environment for all of our staff and your feedback will help us to learn and improve. The online survey will be open until Friday, December 15. Thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses!

After months of planning, the Cambridge Preschool Program application will open next Friday, December 1. In partnership with the City of Cambridge, we are incredibly excited to offer a variety of free preschool programs to all four-year-olds (and some 3-year-olds) living in the city. You can find additional information, including our frequently asked questions, below.

Thank you for your continued support.

Make it Great!

Sincerely,
Dr. Victoria L. Greer

Headlines

Cambridge Preschool Program Application Opens Next Friday, December 1!

The application window for the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP), or Universal Preschool, will open next Friday, December 1, 2023 and remain open throughMonday, January 15, 2024. As we have shared, CPP will begin next school year, providing free preschool to the families of all 4-year-olds and some 3-year-olds.

Cambridge Preschool Program Partners

What does CPP mean for CPS?

CPP will replace our 3-year-old lottery, which was held in October, and our Junior Kindergarten lottery, which was held in January.
CPS will still hold its Kindergarten lottery in January for children turning 5 years old by Aug 31, 2024.
Our Frequently Asked Questions (አማርኛ|عربي|বাংলা|Kreyòl ayisyen|Español), aims to answer many of the questions you may have about the impact CPP will have on CPS.
October 12th webinar

Kindergarten Lottery Information Sessions

The Kindergarten Lottery for the 2024-2025 school year will open on January 2 and close on 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.

Attendance Matters Campaign

Our Attendance Matters campaign is launching this month!Did you know that in Massachusetts if your child misses 18 days or more of school, they are considered chronically absent?Chronic absenteeism is one of our district targets. Daily attendance plays a vital role in your child’s educational journey. Attending school regularly is a critical aspect of academic success and social, emotional, and personal development.

Check out our flyer with tips on what you can do at home!

አማርኛ|عربي|বাংলা|Kreyòl ayisyen|Español

Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Fuel Assistance

The Cambridge Fuel Assistance Program is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 season. The program helps residents pay their winter heating bills through April 30. Learn more about how to qualify and fill out the application here.

Registration for Winter Sports Closes Tomorrow

See the registration checklist.
Register for the winter season.
To learn more about the sports offered and more important dates, click here.

Health Updates

Schools Will Distribute COVID Tests to Students

This week, COVID test kits will be distributed to every student ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. We encourage every student and staff member to take a rapid test before returning to school next Monday, November 27.

If negative and do not have symptoms, we will see you at school.
If positive or negative but have symptoms, please stay home and notify the school as you would forany other excused absence.

Free COVID Tests Available to All Households
The US government is offering four free at-home COVID tests to all households again. Tests will be mailed to your home by the US Postal Service after you place your order online.

CPS Policies & Procedures
In addition to our current COVID-19 policies and procedures, which align with the end of the COVID-19 Federal Emergency on May 11, 2023, we ask that all students, families, and staff remain vigilant.Please continue to monitor for symptoms, use COVID tests as necessary, and stay home when you are not feeling well. Masking and hand washing are also great ways to protect yourself and others against illnesses.

November 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.

Tuesday, November 28 | 3 - 4:30PM (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School/Putnam Ave Upper School)
Wednesday, November 29 | 1:45 - 3:45PM (Fletcher Maynard Academy
Wednesday, November 29 | 2 - 4PM (Kennedy-Longfellow School/Vassal Lane Upper School)
See the full list of free food markets for the 2023-2024 school year.

Students Wow in Design Contest!

Our Creative Design students recently competed in a Live Work Poster Contest sponsored by the Cambridge Youth Council for the launch of their Youth Headspace website where students can find resources to support their mental health. Another goal is to destigmatize conversations about mental health challenges for teenagers, make these conversations more regular, and create a more positive and supportive environment schoolwide.