Greetings from Julie Craven
Dear RAUC Families,
It is hard to believe that the first quarter of the school year wraps up this Wednesday. Students have developed their writing, broadened their historical knowledge, and honed their skills as mathematicians and scientists. They have created art and music, built group skills in PE, become more adept in a world language, and explored topics that support their physical and emotional well-being.
Now is a great time to check in on how your student is doing in all these areas. Look in this newsletter for how to sign up for our fall Learning Partners Conferences and for tips on how to use the RAUC agenda books as another check-in. Finally, you can expect first quarter progress reports to go live in Aspen next Wednesday – please note they will be mailed home for families without Internet access.
The end of the first quarter is also a good time for us to do a reality check with you. When you arrive for your conference, please expect a very brief survey for your perspective on how well we are meeting our goals and responding to communication needs you identified for us at Back to School Night. We will also have a suggestion box, if you prefer to share your ideas for us that way.
Here’s to continuing to strengthening our partnership in support of learning!
Julie Craven, Head of School
Agenda Books: A Great Tool for Our Home/School Partnership
A reminder that each student was given an agenda book to keep track of homework assignments. Teachers give students time to write the homework down each day in class. A great strategy for checking in at home is to ask to see the agenda book and then asking how the student felt about a particular assignment. Students should write, “none,” if no homework was assigned, so if a class is blank, you should ask your student to double check. Please reach out to the advisory teacher if you notice your student needs support in using this organizational tool. We have extras, so if it is truly lost, ask your student to get a replacement from their advisor!
Be Sure to Schedule a Meeting with Your Student's Teachers!
Face to face time with each family is very important to us.
Sign up for your fall Learning Partners Conferences here >>
If you do not have access to the Internet or need support in scheduling, please call the school at 617.349.4060. Slots for core academic teachers are 20 minutes – in that time, you will rotate through a 5 minute meeting with each individual teacher. You can also sign up for a 10 minute meeting with Specials teachers. Bring your student to the conference so everyone hears the same message!
6th Grade: Tuesday, November 14, 8AM - 3:30PM
7th Grade: Thursday, November 16, 8AM - 3:30PM
Specials: Friday, November 17, 8 - 8:40AM
8th Grade: Tuesday, November 28, 8AM - 3:30PM
ALL Grades & Specials: Wednesday, Nov. 15, 5:30 - 7:55PM
RAUC Resource Officer JJ in the News!
In case you missed it, check out the Channel 5 news story that aired last Thursday on the successful collaboration between Cambridge Public Schools and the Cambridge Police. RAUC is featured in the piece >>
Complimentary Tickets to Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Events
Through the talents and energy of Ms. Brittany Phillips, our RAUC star orchestra teacher, complimentary tickets to Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra concerts are available to families in the RAUC/Peabody communities! If you are interested in individual or group tickets, please don't hesitate to reach out to Joanna Springer, the Box Office Manager, at [email protected] – just let her know you are part of the RAUC/Peabody community. Look for an email from the school about free events as well.
BPO: On November 9, 11, and 12, we will have thrilling performances of Sibelius and Berlioz, featuring world-renowned violist Kim Kashkashian! http://bit.ly/2zDyF0Q
BPYO: Complete a festive Thanksgiving weekend on November 26th with an afternoon at Symphony Hall to hear a one-time performance of Wagner, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, with rising star pianist George Li! http://bit.ly/2j6KrK9
7th Grade Learning Previews
See what our students are going to be studying this month! Read more >>
El Día d los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
As you enter RAUC at the top of the stairs, you will see our annual “El Día de los Muertos” ofrenda. This year it was a collaborative effort between the RAUC Spanish program and the Peabody School Art and Spanish program. El Día de los Muertos is a celebration that takes place starting on Oct. 31 and ends on Nov. 2. It combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. Come check out the ofrenda when you are next here!
The holiday, which is celebrated around the Catholic world but mostly in Mexico, is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory. Many families set up ofrendas in their homes to celebrate and welcome the souls of their loved ones. Ofrendas are an essential part of the Day of the Dead celebrations. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called altares or altars. Typical ofrendas that you see in Mexican homes will have various levels (ours has two) and be decorated with Papel Picado, Marigold flowers, candles, fruits, and various foods such as tamales, mole, and Pan de muerto, bread of the dead. And of course, sugar skulls. The Papel Picado (tissue paper cutouts) and paper flowers were made by the fourth grade students studying Spanish at the Peabody School. The Peabody fifth grade made the skull prints. The RAUC sixth grade contributed the colorful calavera (skull) colorings, the seventh grade wrote and illustrated memorial disks, and the eighth grade made and decorated the beautiful sugar skulls. It is a beautiful celebration of life.
In 2008, UNESCO recognized the importance of Día de los Muertos by adding the holiday to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Opportunities Outside of School
All flyers and registration forms are available at RAUC. Students or families can contact Justin McNulty.
See full list of opportunities online >>
Parkour Generations Boston: Sports Lab Program
(see flyers)
When: Mon. & Wed., November 29th-December 20th
Where: Brooklyn Boulders Somerville & Canopy City, 12A & 14 Tyler St., Somerville
Time: 3:30-6:30
Grades: 6-10
Cost: $50 (Financial Aid and Scholarships Available)
Contact: http://pkgenboston.com/sportslab
Let's Connect!
Stay in the loop by joining our social media communities.
RAUC Facebook >>
District Social Media >>
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