CitySprouts
The garden is now in full swing as we make the transition to summer. The MLK students have helped the garden in so many ways. They are responsible for planting peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, cabbage, broccoli, radishes, beets, and more. We have kindergarten classes that explored compost and added the compost to the dirt for rich soil. First and second grade have helped me plant numerous seedlings. Third grade measured the area of the beds so I can know how much space there is in the garden. Fourth grade is designing and building trellis' for the pea plants that are beginning to flower. 

All of their hard work and food they have been growing will go towards our summer program for middle schoolers who live in Cambridge. They will learn about how to grow food, the food system, and food justice in the United States. The middle school interns will also learn how to cook using the plants and vegetable growing in the garden. If you haven't checked out the garden yet come and stop by, it is a beautiful space, and you can admire all the hard work MLK students have put in to make it look so nice!



Did You Know?
All of the kindergarten seats for the upcoming school year 2017-18 are full. Both Ni Hao and Immersion are full and both programs have waitlists for all the Social Economic seats (free and reduced lunch and paid lunch families). Historically this is significant. Achieving this important classroom balance has been a goal of the school and goes a long way towards reflecting the economic diversity we hope to maintain in Cambridge.

Last year we surveyed King families on topics related to family engagement and learning. The results suggested that most parents felt capable of working with their children in all of the academic subjects except Chinese. As a result, the amount of Chinese homework has been greatly reduced during the 2016-2017 school year with the goal of relieving some of the extra stress homework was placing on students and families.

Math was also an area of some concern for parents. In response to this, we teamed up with Cambridge School Volunteers, as well as hiring more staff to work with students in math.



Field Day is Next Wednesday!
The students look forward to this event every year and your help is greatly appreciated.

Date: Wednesday, June 14th (no rain date)
Place: Hoyt Field
Time: 9AM - 1PM for students, Volunteer are needed from 8AM - 1PM
Structure: Students stay with their class and teacher as they rotate through about 15 activity stations.  

Volunteers are asked to set up the activity stations between 8 - 9AM and then stay at a station to explain the activity to the students. We also set up three water stations across the field and refill the water as necessary. If it is a very hot day, we may end earlier.

Below is a list of some of the stations/activities:

• Water balloon toss
• Parachute
• Bubbles (new this year!)
• Water and other relay races
• Sack and three-legged races
• Short sprint
• Distance throw (football, frisbee)
• Large group games
• Toss/target games

Please meet Jack Reardon and me at Hoyt Field at 8AM to help us set-up the activity stations. You can reach me via email or 617.872.3328.

A Big Thank You
We would like to thank all the parents who helped make this year run so smoothly.

A big and special thank you goes out to Christina Lively and all of the members of MLK Friends who worked tirelessly on so many fronts and without whose financial support, we would not have been able to provide so much for our students and families.

To Pam Mindell and all who help put together the backpacks for our weekend food program. We also have to thank Pam and all the parents who prepared a wonderful meal for the staff during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Thank you so much to Ellen McGill, Fang Fang, Kettely Orelien, Violet Bailey, and Akmal Abdurazakov for your help with the Open Market.

Thank you to Rebecca Xiong for her work on the “YANA” app and keeping us all connected.

We thank all room parents, field trip chaperones, potluck cooks, and participants, garden helpers, classroom volunteers, event volunteers and School Council members. We couldn’t have made it with out you!



Winning!!!
Congratulations to the winners of the Cambridge Public Library & Cambridge Tree Project 19th Annual Poetry Awards from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School! This year we received nearly 1,600 entries—our most ever--making for a very tough competition! We congratulate everyone who entered for their wonderful poems.

The winners are:
Mairead He, First Place (tie), Third Grade for “The Milky Way”

Grant Marshita, Third Place (tie), Third Grade for “The Dream Tree”

Read the poems >>



Summer Playdates
The Friends of MLK are hosting playdates at the King School Playground.

Sunday, August 6 | 10AM - 12Noon
Thursday, August 17 | 4:30 - 6:30PM
Tuesday, September 5 | 4 - 6PM

Latest News on the CPS District Planning Process
Did you attend a Visioning Session or watch the Superintendent's presentation on developing a district plan for CPS? Members of the CPS community are invited to learn and contribute as the planning process continues.

• Learn about the Planning Team & Visioning Sessions
• The District Planning Team consists of 31 students, family members, staff members, community partners, school leaders, district leaders, and School Committee members, who are giving their time to design the CPS district plan. Why would such a diverse group of people come together for such a purpose? Learn Why >>
• Save The Date: Town Hall on the District Plan
  Tuesday, June 13 | 6PM
  Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
  View the Flyer >>
• Next Steps
  The planning team will present a draft of the District Plan to the School Committee and the community in June. Following review, discussion, and deliberation, the School Committee will vote on the plan.
  Read letter from Superintendent Salim >>

FREE Creative Writing Workshops
Free summer writing program for students entering grades 6 - 8. Students will explore writing stories, poetry, and scripts.

Workshop 1: (3 weeks): July 10 - July 28 | 8:30 - 11:30AM
Workshop 2: (3 weeks): July 31 - August 18  | 8:30 - 11:30AM

Questions? Email Janice Tingle or call her at 617.349.7762

Download More Information and the Registration Form >>

Summer Math Enrichment Opportunities! 
Please make sure to check out the summer math offerings for students entering grades 6 - 8. Transportation can be provided for students. The offerings include:

Mathematics Workshops: perfect for students who want to boost grades and enhance their understanding of math. Session 1: July 10 - 28, Session 2: July 31 - August 18. FREE!
Mission Possible: Solve It (Moore Youth Center): perfect for students interested in an interactive Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math exploration. Field trips, hands on activities, and college visits can all be expected. Students can sign up for one week or several weeks. June 26 - August 18. Full day: 8:30 - 6:00 ($150/week); Half days: 12:00- 6:00 ($75/week).

For more information and applications, contact Sara Carhart, the math coach, at [email protected]

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

Cambridge Participatory Budgeting (see flyer)
When: June 1 - July 31, 2017
Contact: Justin and Michelle at 617.349.4270 or email us.
Visit the Website
Deadline: August 4, 2017

Beyond the 4th Wall presents: The Lion King
June 15, 16, 17 | 7PM, June 18 | 3PM
Fitzgerald Theater at CRLS
$5 for students and $10 for adults
101 Dalmatians and Other Adventures
Saturday, June 17 | 3PM
Fitzgerald Theater at CRLS
$5 for students and $10 for adults
Beyond the 4th Wall is a Cambridge non-profit that brings the magic of theater and performances to families throughout Cambridge.

Cambridge Youth Gamelan (see flyer)
When: June 26 - June 28
Where: MIT World Music Room (next to the MIT Museum) 265 Massachusetts Ave
Time: 10AM - 1PM
Grades: 3 – 9
Cost: $30 for three classes, processing fee of $3-5 added per session
Contact: Email Us

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