Greer Gazette: March 18, 2024

Greer Gazette | March 18, 2024

Posted on 03/18/2024

Greetings CPS Community!

It’s almost officially spring and I couldn’t be more excited for the warmer temperatures and blooming flowers.

Tomorrow, you will have another opportunity to share your feedback about the 2024-2025 proposed budget, which we presented last Tuesday to the School Committee. To learn more about some of our continued and new priorities, please visit our website.

Our Communications and Content survey is now open! Please take the time to complete the survey as your input will inform decisions and contribute to the continued improvement of our communication strategies and platforms, both of which are integral to objective 4 of our District Plan-Building Welcoming Schools. The survey will close in three weeks, on Friday, April 5.

We are very excited for more learning time in our elementary and upper schools next school year. For years, we have had one of the shortest school days for pre-K through 8 students across the Commonwealth. This disparity has presented a challenge for our educators as we strive to provide students with the enrichment and instruction they deserve to achieve their highest potential. Beginning next month, we will hold a series of community meetings, by triad, to engage with the community and discuss the longer school day and what it means for students and families.

Thank you for your continued support.

Make it Great!

Dr. Victoria L. Greer

Headlines

School Committee Update: 2024 - 2025 Proposed Budget Presentation and Tomorrow’s Public Hearing
Highlights include:

• Superintendent’s Proposed Budget for the 2024-2025 School Year
• Watch the meeting here.

The School Committee will meet to host a Public Hearing on the 2024-2025 Proposed Budget tomorrow, March 19.

Interested in receiving email notifications about meetings? Join the School Committee listserv

Discuss the Culture and Climate Survey at Tonight’s Town Hall Meeting
Join us tonight for a hybrid town hall to go over the findings from the 2023-2024 District/School Climate Survey. Superintendent Greer and district leaders will present the data, share next steps, and answer questions. Childcare will be provided.

• When: 6 - 8PM (Dinner will be served at 5:30PM.)
• Where: Media Cafe, Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School located at 459 Broadway or online via Zoom.

To register to attend in-person or virtually, click here.

Communications and Content Survey is Now Open to Families
As Cambridge Public Schools continues to strive for the highest standards in all forms of communication across schools and district offices, we are eager to hear from you! Our Communications and Content Survey is now open through Friday, April 5.

Take the survey here or click the image below.



Your feedback will inform decisions and contribute to the continued improvement of our communication strategies and platforms as both of which are integral to objective 4 of our District Plan: Building Welcoming Schools. We have again partnered with Panorama Education for the survey. Panorama safeguards your privacy, keeping your responses confidential.

Samantha Headley Named Principal of Morse School



Please join us in congratulating Samantha Headley who has been named principal of Morse Elementary School after serving as interim principal. Over the past year, Ms. Headley has led the Morse School with continued dedication and commitment with continued emphasis on fostering a sense of community and belonging among students, families, and staff, improving the use of student data to inform teaching practices and interventions, and deepening understanding of restorative practices to support student behavior engaged learning. We are excited to see her continue her work with our Morse School Community!

Rollin’ and Summer Resources



Our most recent "Rollin' & Summer Resources" event was a success! More than 650 attendees enjoyed roller skating, art activities, life sized games and great food. In collaboration with DHSP, Cambridge Agenda for Children Out of School Time, The Village, and our summer providers, were able to successfully connect youth with quality summer program experiences.

Summer providers indicated that they were able to collectively enroll more than one hundred new families into their summer programs -- and there are many more who are still in process of registering and/or making decisions based on what they learned at the event.

*Of the families who attended the 2024 Rollin’ & Summer Resources Event:

• 47% have children who have never participated in Cambridge summer programs before.*
• 54% have children who are not currently participating in afterschool programs.*
• 23 native languages were represented.*

* based on feedback reported by parents and caregivers on registration forms.
We look forward to continued collaboration with all partners as we collectively strive to support getting young people connected to and growing through their participation in high quality summer program experiences. Have a great summer and see you next year!

March Family/Caregiver Virtual Dinner Hour

We are excited for this Wednesday’s Family/Caregiver Virtual Dinner Hour from 6:30-7:30PM. Please note that we will begin organizing the meetings by triad. March’s meeting will be for Cambridgeport, Cambridge Street Upper, Fletcher Maynard Academy, and King Open.

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 below. By registering, you will also be able to share topics of interest which will help us plan.

Monthly on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 7:30PM

Register Here!

March 20 

April 24 

May 15

Featured Events & Opportunities

Register for the Cambridge Community Iftar
The City of Cambridge in collaboration with Mayor Denise Simmons, Councillor Sumbul Siddiqui, the NAACP Cambridge Branch, the Cambridge Public Schools, and the Islamic Society of Boston invites families to attend the Cambridge Community Iftar. Iftar is the evening meal where Muslims break their fast after sunset during the Holy month of Ramadan. Free Halal food will be served and space will be provided for evening prayer. Guests will learn more about Iftar from guest speakers and our students. Registration is required.

• When: Wednesday, March 27 | 6:30PM
• Where: Cambridge Street Upper School (located at 850 Cambridge Street)
• Register here.

Registered participants will receive an email one day before the event with their ticket confirmation and more information. Questions? Contact Ammarah Rehman.

To view the full flyer, click here.

Community Astronomy Night
Are you interested in identifying planets and constellations or ever won? Have you ever wondered how telescopes work? Join us for Community Astronomy Night!

• When: Wednesday, March 20 | 6 - 8PM
• Where: Cambridge Public Library and Joan Lorentz Park located at 449 Broadway

The Cambridge STEAM Initiative has partnered with CRLS, the Cambridge Public Library, and the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian to learn more about the wonder of starry night skies!

The event will be facilitated by CRLS students who are interns at the Center for Astrophysics’ Science Research Mentoring Program. Access the flyer here.

Teen Mental Health Caregiver Workshop
The Cambridge Healthy Children Task Force is hosting a caregiver event: Teen Mental Health 101: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say.

• When: Thursday, March 21 | 7 - 9PM
• Where: Virtually on Zoom

This 2-hour virtual workshop will give Caregivers the chance to learn and practice talking with their teens about mental health with two Cambridge Department of Public Health professionals who are also trainers in Mental Health First Aid for youth. Register here!

Monday? More like Moon-Day! Solar Eclipse set for April 8.



A total solar eclipse will be visible on April 8 from 2:16 - 4:39PM! During a total solar eclipse, the sun is completely covered by the moon while it passes between the sun and earth. Visibility of the event is different depending on location. The next total solar eclipse to be seen from the United States won’t be until 2044. In Cambridge, we’ll be able to see the eclipse at a maximum of 93%!

Looking into the sun can damage your eyes so to ensure our students are prepared to safely witness this wonder, the Science Department will be providing solar eclipse viewing glasses for all students in advance. More resources, information, and details about distribution of glasses will be coming soon.

Multicultural Night at CRLS
The student-led Cultural Visibility Team invites you to our first district-wide Multicultural Night! Enjoy a variety of cuisines in our community potluck and celebrate the many cultures of Cambridge with student performances and a fashion show!

• When: Thursday, April 11 | 6 - 8PM
• Where: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (located at 459 Broadway Street)
• Registration is recommended, but not required.

Volunteering to perform or to bring a dish for the potluck is open to the community, check out our volunteer form! Access the flyer here.