Message from Julie Craven

Dear RAUC Families,

There’s a lot of news this week so I will keep my greeting brief. Please make sure to look through the newsletter for important updates, including MCAS date reminders (ELA testing starts next week!), 6th grade math placements, final date for Learning Partners Conferences for all grades (it’s still not too late to sign up!), along with information on a range of fun events! As this newsletter shows, our community aims high in its commitment to provide all students with a rich middle school experience.

Appreciatively,

Julie Craven, Head of School


Math Placement for Rising 7th Graders 
In the spring of 6th grade year, students will receive a letter recommending them for the Grade Level Math Pathway or the Accelerated Math Pathway. The Grade Level Math Pathway is a rigorous math program that is aligned with state and national standards for quality math education. The Accelerated Math Pathway is a faster-paced math program that allows students to complete three years of math study in two years.

Sixth Grade students will be recommended for the correct pathway for them based on previous PARCC scores, district assessments, and teacher recommendations. Please keep in mind that research demonstrates that success in math relies on a student’s foundational skills in problem solving. Completing Algebra 1 too early, before that foundation is solid, can result in problems in math later on in high school. Sometimes, it will be clear which pathway would be best. In cases where it is more difficult to make a determination, teachers will speak directly with families and students to make this decision.

If you have any questions about the pathways, please do not hesitate to email the Math Coach/Interventionist, Sara Carhart, [email protected].



Summer Math Enrichment Opportunities – FREE! 
Please see printed flyer or visit the CPS website (see link below) for math opportunities for students seeking to deepen their math skills at all levels. Summer math >>


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

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

NOTE: 8th grade students will take ELA and Math tests on computers, as per state directive. We have already had several practice sessions and conducted an infrastructure trial. All systems are go!

See letter from superintendent about MCAS testing: http://bit.ly/2nayv7b


2nd Annual RAUC "Ask a 6th Grader"
April 5 | 6-7pm @ RAUC
RAUC 6th graders invite Baldwin and Peabody 5th graders to come for an hour of peer to peer questions & answers to hear the inside scoop on what 6th grade is like. Student Q&A will take place in the library, followed by ice cream in the cafeteria! Parents and guardians are also encouraged to come to learn about Families of Rindge Avenue and the RAUC community.


Reminder!
Wednesday, March 29 is last day for Spring Learning Partners Conferences!! Sign up for a 20 minute after-school conference with your student’s core academic teachers or a 10 minute conference with specials teachers. You can sign up online at http://bit.ly/1jACcQG. If you do not have internet access or need assistance, please call the school at 617.349.4060.


Out of School Time Opportunities
*All flyers and registration forms are available at RAUC. Students/families can contact Justin McNulty at [email protected]

MIT Science on Saturday (see flyer)
When: Saturday, April 1, 2017
Time: 10AM-12PM
Where: MIT Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
Cost: Free
Ages: All
Contact: Dr. Todd H. Rider, [email protected]
Website: mitmuseum.mit.edu/program/science-saturday

Nautical Night @ MIT Museum
When: March 30th
Where: MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
Time: 6-8PM
Cost: Free
Website: https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/program/nautical-night

Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass (see flyer)
April Vacation Camp
When: Tuesday 4/18 - Friday 4/21
Where: Camp Cedar Hill, Waltham 
Grades: 6-10
Cost: $60/day for members, $60/day nonmembers plus $25/year membership
Contact: www.hercamp.org or call 617.350.8335

MIT AIM IoT (Internet of Things) Camp (see flyer)
April Vacation Camp
When: April 18-21st
Where: MIT-Stata Center
Cost: Free
Ages: 11-13
Contact: [email protected]
Register: bit.ly/AIMIoTCamp



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 >>