Message from Julie Craven

Dear RAUC Families,

Happy First Day of Spring! March has certainly been lion-like in its entry. Here at RAUC we had a little of our own March madness this past Friday when the staff and students took each other on in basketball. While people all brought their best game, it was mainly a wonderful opportunity to build unity – we had students and staff as announcers, refs, and players, and Urban Legends entertained us all in a between-game break. Thanks to Ms. Boadu and Officer JJ, our community resource officer, for organizing this fun event.

We have launched our exploration of our final core value, compassion. By the end of this week, students will have engaged in a series of activities to help them get better at identifying opportunities to cultivate compassion. In their advisories, students will watch and discuss the messages about compassion in two short videos and participate in an activity that asks them show compassion to each other. We invite you to watch the videos yourself: a clip of Rihanna’s acceptance speech after receiving Harvard’s Humanitarian Award (http://bit.ly/2ni1OYB) and an animated video (http://bit.ly/2mQ1WeN).  

We hope you are able to make a Learning Partners Conference. The sign up link is here if you have not signed up yet: http://bit.ly/1jACcQG

With respect,

Julie Craven



RAUC Debate Stars! 
On Saturday, March 18, at the final tournament of the Boston Debate League season – the largest tournament in its history – Rindge Ave took home many awards. Hear more >>

8th Grade Learning Previews 
See what our students are going to be studying this month! Read more >> 

Summer Planning Workshops Happening at RAUC!
It's time to start thinking about summer! All RAUC students will have a 45-min Summer Workshop in the next two weeks where they will hear from 7-8 different summer programs, get to hear from their peers about summer experiences, and will be asked to fill out a Summer Planning sheet about what they have planned or would LIKE to do.

–6th and 7th Grade: Tuesday, March 21st (we hope you received the email notification about this last week!)
–8th Grade: Thursday, March 30th

The Middle School Network staff will use this information to follow up with students and see who needs assistance making their summer hopes a reality.

Here are a few things you can do before/after the workshops:

–Talk to your child about your family's summer plans. The more they know going into the workshops, the more useful the workshops can be. Are you going on a vacation? How long is it? Are you expecting that you'll sign up for something he/she has done in the past? Is there a special talent or interest you think your child should explore?
–Check out the Summer Materials compiled by the Middle School Network at www.cpsd.us/summer, including grade by grade lists of programs in Cambridge. There is so much out there.
–Let us know if you want help making a plan or getting signed up. The last page of our Parent Summer Planning Packet is designed to be returned to the school with your information so that we can reach out. Alternatively, you can email Justin Mc Nulty ([email protected]) or Jennifer Aldana ([email protected]) and mention that you'd like help figuring out what your son/daughter can do for the summer.
–Summer Planning Checklists will also be available at RAUC Learning Partner Conferences. Make sure to pick one up!   

Mr. Tobin Meets Author Judy Blume
Check out the photo of Mr. Tobin with one of his favorite young adult authors, whom he was thrilled to meet over February break! 

Reminder of MCAS Testing Days
Please make sure your student has a good night’s sleep the night before and is on time to school the day of the test--all tests start in the morning:
6th Grade: 
ELA– Tue/Wed, April 11 & 12; 
Math– Mon/Tue, May 15 & 16
7th Grade:
ELA– Thur/Fri, April 6 & 7; 
Math– Tue/Wed, May 2 & 3
8th Grade:
ELA– Tue/Wed, April 4 &5; 
Math– Tue/Wed, May 9 & 10; 
Science– Thur, May 18 & Tue, May 23

Exciting Oceanography Event at CRLS
If you want to preview opportunities available at CRLS, check out the "Extinction Experience" or EX2, created by CRLS Oceanography students. It is a unique, immersive, multidimensional, multimedia presentation on the current 6th Mass Extinction of species on our planet, composed, produced and presented by students. EX2 will be at the Fitzgerald Theatre/CRLS Auditorium on Mon., Mar. 27 from 7-8:30PM. Tickets $5 at door.



Follow the Cambridge Middle School Network (MSN)!
Stay updated on what's happening for middler schoolers in Cambridge. Find @CambridgeMSN on Facebook and Instagram! Be sure to sign up (via Facebook) to get the MSN monthly e-newsletter, too. View the MSN Out-of-School Time Opportunities Resource Guide >>