Greetings from Julie Craven

Greetings RAUC Families,

We are settling into our rhythm as we enter October. Overall, students are doing a good job getting to school and class on time. We are delighted, as you can’t learn if you aren’t here! For those few who have some tardies or absences, we are having conversations with students and families so that we are all working together to get students into school on time!

Thanks to all who were able to make it to Back to School Night. Feedback from staff and families was overwhelmingly positive. People enjoyed the time to eat and chat together before starting a more formal program (we will try to have dessert next time!). Thanks to FRAUC, the O’Neill librarian, and Middle School Network folks who provided a range of helpful information to families. Families also communicated that they appreciated the chance to interact with each other and the teachers in the grade level programs later in the evening. I know teachers enjoyed hearing what families had to say. Our Family Engagement Team and School Council will use the feedback as we plan future events.

Enjoy the 6th grade Learning Previews this week and look for 7th grade next week. Have a wonderful week!

Julie Craven 

Family Contact Books
Connect with other families! Sign up and customize 
your entry in your school's directory/family contact book. Deadline is October 5th. Learn more >>

Learning Previews – Grade 6 
Hear more details about what's going on in our classrooms at RAUC! Read the Grade 6 Learning Previews >>

Tech Goes Home
Tech Goes Home helps Cambridge Public School parents and caregivers, accompanied by their children, learn technology skills for 21st century success. If you and your child sign up, you'll take 15 hours of classes together outside the school day conducted by a TGH trained RAUC staff member. Tutorials focus on topics such as tracking grades and attendance online, making a professional email account, and finding web-based family resources. At the end, you'll have the option of purchasing a new computer for $50 and we'll help you find low-cost Internet options if you need them.

Cost: FREE

When: Seven Tuesdays | 6:30 - 8:45PM | RAUC/Peabody Library: (Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 15, Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13). If those dates don't work for you, stay tuned about another course in winter or spring.

Sign up: Contact the RAUC office 617.349.4060 to sign up or for more information. Download the flyer >>

Supporting a Culture of Adult Learners
Teacher team meetings are an essential component of our school. Grade level core content teachers, special educators and specialists meet together in teams once a week to engage in professional development. These meetings are facilitated by the school’s instructional coaches, Katie Gribben (Literacy) and Sara Carhart (Math). The goal of these meetings is to increase staff cohesion and support a culture of adult learners by engaging in continuous cycles of learning. This year is focused on reflecting and analyzing our current school culture. We are reading and discussing How to Create a Culture of Achievement in Your School and Classroom by Fisher, Frey and Pumpian. We will also use our learning and reflections to develop structures and practices in support of our school’s mission to increase student achievement and promote social justice. 

7th Grade Dance: Need 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Support!
Come and help make the first (of three) school dance another huge success! This is an invitation especially to 7th grade families. Each of the three annual RAUC dances is spearheaded by one of the grades and this dance is being organized by your 7th Grade Liaisons, Vibha Pingle, and Jonathan Donaldson. There are plenty of ways to support the kids at this dance - donate snacks, volunteer some time to set-up/sell tickets, serve food, or clean-up. Sign up on Google forms or email Vibha Pingle. The dance will be from 6 - 8:30PM in the RAUC Cafeteria. Tickets cover admission and kids are invited to bring some money to buy pizza, water, and other snacks (all priced at $1).

What's Happening Outside of CPS?
Girl Scouts Of Eastern Massachusetts 
Register online at www.Hergirlscouts.org
Call at 844.306.GSEM (4736) 

CityStep 6th Grade Program
Tuesdays | 3:30 - 5PM | Harvard Campus
Classes are free and start today! Learn more >>

FREE Bike Workshops!
The City of Cambridge is proud to offer free bicycle education workshops. Upcoming workshops are on October 5, 17, and 23. Learn more >>

City Wide Middle School Activities Club
Free Scary Movie Night at Moses Youth Center
Grades: 6th - 8th
When: Friday, October 7 | 6:30-9:30PM
Where: Moses Youth Center, 243 Harvard Street
Deadline for registration is Wednesday October 5th. Register at your local youth center or call Patricia Bradshaw at 617.498.1289.
View more upcoming events >>

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology Community Open House and 150th Anniversary
Saturday, October 8 | 12Noon - 4PM
Free Admission
Event details >>

Navigation Games Interscholastic League
Competitions start on October 9th from 1 - 3PM. All welcome. Learn more >>

College Conversations
October 13 | 6 - 8PM
Harvard undergraduates, admissions officers, local educators, and community partners will answer questions and suggest tips for tackling the college application process. Students will reflect on their identity, interests and motivations while the whole family will be engaged in a deeper dialogue around higher education. Event Details >>

MIT Science on Saturday
Saturdays (October 15, December 3, February 4, March 4, April 1, 2017
Time: Main presentation 10 - 11AM + hands-on activities 11AM - 12noon 
Learn more >>

Science Club for Girls Sisterhood
8th Graders! Are you interested and STEM and want to be a leader? Join the Science Club for Girls to be a Junior Mentor 
Visit: http://www.scienceclubforgirls.org
Call: 617.391.0361

Learn to Skate or Play Ice Hockey
Check out these Cambridge programs >>

Cambridge Historic Society presents Housing for All
A 3-part symposium about the past, present, and future of affordable housing in Cambridge. Learn more >>

Affordable Housing Opportunities in Cambridge Information Sessions
Attend an upcoming information session to learn about the City’s rental and homeownership programs. Learn more >>

Cambridge Community Learning Center Offers
English Classes for Parents
Learn more >>

Cantare Choir for Middle School Singers
A Division of Boston City Singers 
Tuesdays | 4:30-6:30PM | St. John's Church
Directed by Joshua DeWitte 
Contact [email protected] if interested.

TTT Mentor Program
Saturday program for grades 4 - 7 children interested in STEM and eager to learn. Learn more >>

Simoni Skating Rink Learn to Skate Program
Click here to download a one-time free skating pass.