A Note from Principal Tony Byers
As a New Englander, it’s difficult for me to accept that spring is around the corner. The warmer weather feels undeserved after a mild winter. And to be fair, we’re not out of the woods yet. March is rarely a snowless month. But still, we’re almost there. Hear more from Tony >>
What is PARCC? (Are You Ready for Some Acronyms?)
By Kathy Greeley, ELA Coach
Each year, our students in grades 3-5 are required to take state-wide standardized tests in reading, writing, and math (5th graders also take a science exam). For more than 20 years, schools have given the MCAS, which stands for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. With the adoption of the Common Core Curriculum Standards (CCCS), there has been a push for a new kind of testing. Massachusetts considered switching to a test called the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers), but in the end decided to create a new version of the MCAS (what people are calling MCAS 2.0) that would include elements of the PARCC test. This new test is expected to be ready for the spring of 2017.
Read more >>
Spotlight on Cheryl Depasquale (Mrs. D!)
Learn a bit more about our fantastic school clerk at G&P! Read on >>
Spotlight on Jay Kreisberg
Get to know our super physical education teacher with this Q&A! Read more >>
G&P Market
Each month, our G&P Market is getting bigger. If you haven’t seen it yet, you have to stop by! Everyone from the G&P community is welcome (parents, teachers, and staff!) and encouraged to come and get some food. Everyone leaves with a bag of free food and, if you want, a recipe idea, too. Learn more >>
Seen Around G&P this Month!
We've spotted all sorts of wonderful happenings around our school lately and captured some on camera. Take a peek for yourself >>
What's Happening in Physical Education?
This month students in grades K-5 will be participating in a Fitness / Healthy Heart unit followed by the Fitness Assessment. Students will be assessed on cardiovascular endurance, upper and lower body strength, core strength, and flexibility. Students are encouraged to practice running, push ups, crunches, sit and reach, and leg squats at home to increase their overall fitness level.
EdTech @ G&P
Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning
See presentation online >>
At G&P, students and teachers are creating, collaborating, and computing. Whether in the Computer Lab or in their classroom, students use technology to access digital resources, solve problems, and express their creativity. The Educational Technology Learning Expectations for the Cambridge Public Schools provide an overview of how technology is integrated into the curriculum and summarize a few major themes that all students explore including: Basic Operations & Navigation, Research & Inquiry Skills, Digital Citizenship, and Media Creation & Literacy. So far this year, students have written and recorded memoirs, created gratitude posters, made Cyberbullying Public Service Announcements, explored a variety of coding activities, and much, much more!
Here are a few free resources to explore with your students!
Grades JK-2
–Illuminations Ten Frames Activity: http://bit.ly/2184SQp
–Coding Activities: http://bit.ly/1VQo5Vh
–ABCYA Paint: http://bit.ly/1UywFtf
Grades 3-5
–Coding Activities: https://code.org/learn (a few favorites: Minecraft, Star Wars, Classic Maze)
–Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/
–Typing Club: http://bit.ly/1oP7tm7
The next G&P Parent Coffee Talk will be Friday, March 11th at 8:30AM. See you then!
Get Involved at G&P!
Find out how you can get involved at G&P – from joining the Steering Committee to helping Kindergarteners play pretend. Read on >>
In Our Community
Get the scoop on what's going on across our Cambridge community this month! Learn more >>
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G&P CALENDAR
See full calendar online >>
Camp Information Night
Thursday, March 3rd
6:30-8:30PM
Main Cafeteria at CRLS
Come meet with representatives of Cambridge Community Schools, inclusive camps and other private and public camps, including programs for children with special needs. Entertainment and Art activities for children and light supper provided. Call Liz Lewis for more info at 617.349.6283.
G&P Market
Thursday, March 10th
2:30-4:30PM
Free fresh food, recipe ideas and more! Please join us every month for our growing market - open to all families and staff. Come check it out!
G&P Parent Coffee Talk
Friday, March 11th
8:30-9:30AM
Stop by for some coffee and stay for the conversation! This month’s topic will be on Summer Camp. Come by to get information about summer camp options, how to apply, how to get financial aid and more. If you have any Summer Camp information to share, please bring to Lauren Morse, Family Liaison.
Early Release Day
Tuesday, March 15th
Students will be dismissed at 12:25PM. Students on buses will arrive two hours prior to their normal bus stop time.
Staff Appreciation Lunch
Wednesday, March 16th
G&P families provide a big lunch to thank the staff, including all of our educators and administrators, maintenance staff, food service providers and volunteers, for all they do for our kids and our community. Please keep your eye out for flyers in your child’s backpack listing what food to bring according to which grade your child is in. We will need volunteers all day, in 1 or 2 hour shifts, on the 16th and for the leftovers on the 17th to help set up, clean up and more! Contact Parent Volunteer Liza Tague to sign up! Email [email protected].
March Math Merriment
Wednesday, March 16th
6-7PM
Join us in the G&P Cafeteria for an evening of family math fun! Enjoy an evening with friends and family while strategizing over math games and problem-solving. All grades JK-5 welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a plate of your favorite cookies to share if you can, we’ll provide beverages. See you there!
G&P Steering Committee
Thursday, March 17th
5:30-7:30PM
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE
This is an informative and welcoming monthly meeting about school-wide policies. Co-chaired by a G&P parent and teacher, this group discusses issues such as G&P's performance on assessments, our School Improvement Plan, and more. Each meeting has time for community feedback and questions. Please join us! Childcare provided upon request.
NO SCHOOL:
Friday, March 25th
In observance of Good Friday.
MAD HOT CAMBRIDGE BALLROOM DANCING SHOWCASE
March 14 | 7PM
CRLS, War Memorial Building
Please join us as the fifth grade students from the Baldwin, Graham & Parks, Kennedy Longfellow, King Open, Morse, and Tobin Schools showcase their ballroom dancing talents and abilities through a variety of dances. Come out to see the Meringue, Waltz, Salsa, Tango and Swing performed by our students and professional dancers.
A great night of dance and fun for all!!!
DANCE IN THE SCHOOLS
Nine classrooms at G&P will be participating in Dance in the Schools this March, a program that integrates movement and dance with the academic curriculum in the Cambridge Public Schools.
PENNIES FOR PATIENTS – COMING SOON
Every year, we do the Pennies for Patients fundraiser, spearheaded by our own Mrs. D. Keep your eye out for flyers and Penny Boxes coming home about how to participate! This is a national fundraiser to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which funds blood cancer research and provides education and patient services.
GET CONNECTED!
There are many ways to stay in touch with the G&P Community!! Choose whatever is best for you – or all of them!
Learn more >>
REMINDER FROM THE MAIN OFFICE
Please remember to check in at the Main Office every time you enter the school during the school day (after the second bell rings at 8:25AM and before 2:25PM). This helps ensures everyone's safety. Plus, Mrs. D always loves to say hello!
Graham & Parks School
44 Linnaean St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
School's Website
Main Office: 617.349.6577
School Cancellation Line:
617.349.6513
Tardy/Late Line:
617.349.6577 x125
Contacting G&P Staff
For time sensitive messages, call the main office at 617.349.6577. While staff cannot take phone calls during the day, you can leave a voice message by calling 617.349.6577 and using the classroom number as the extension. Staff members have email addresses as follows: First initial and last name as one word, followed by @cpsd.us. For example, Jane Smith would be [email protected]. Staff members also have mailboxes in the front office where you may leave a note.
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