TED Baldwin
Hear how our 5th grade students presented their very own TED Talks to their families! Read on >>



We LOVE Reading!
Find out about our reading challenge, the book swap, and more. Learn more >>



It's OK to be Different
Our kindergarten and 1st grade students attended the Pineapple Project performance, thanks to Mrs. Kugel and the Friends of Baldwin. Mal and Becca put on an energetic and humorous performance about being your genuine self and accepting others. It was a wonderful way for students to learn about the importance of friendship and having empathy for others. Did you know that until the mid 19th century that boys and girls wore dresses until they were the age of 6? Their play emphasized that all should be free to be who they want to be and above all, it's nice to be nice to others.



Helpful Math Websites
This is a list of free on-line mathematics websites for students to practice math at home and to reinforce core math concepts:
Bedtime Math - Daily math problem with 3 levels of questions. BedtimeMath.org
Fun Brain - This website provides math practice games. Funbrain.com/math-zone
Greg Tang Math - This site offers activities to help promote problem solving skills. GregTangMath.com
Math Playground - This website has many math problems disguised as fun games. mathplayground.com
Parents: Speak with your child about limiting computer time so they have time for other activities.



Principal Corner
Our shared efforts in creating a safe, strong, supportive and open Baldwin Community is a core focus this year. I write today about one aspect of this work: the way we speak to and about children. As part of our Responsive Classroom approach we use a core resource book: The Power of Our Words: Teacher Language that Helps Children Learn (Center for Responsive Schools, 2015). I want to share a few ideas from that resource with you. Hear more from Heidi >>



First Grade Black History Month Biography Projects
The first grade students of room 208 shared their biographies at the last all-school meeting. They created posters of postage stamps they designed of famous people they learned about throughout the month including Ruby Bridges, Maya Angelou, Barack Obama, Thurgood Marshall, Alvin Ailey, Benjamin Banneker, Lewis Latimer, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks.



On the Slopes
Baldwin students and families spent the day skiing and snowboarding at Pat's Peak in Henniker, New Hampshire. Thank you to Bob Neer for spearheading the trip and to the many parents and caregivers who spent a joyful day shredding the snow. Thank you to the Friends of Baldwin for helping to subsidize the trip. Thank you to Audrey and Michelle for the great photos!

CPS 2018-19 Budget Process
All meetings are open to the public.
Upcoming Meetings:
–Superintendent’s Budget Presentation
Tuesday, March 13 | 6PM | CRLS
–Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget
Tuesday, March 20 | 6PM | CRLS
See flyer >> 



Electric Circuits and Simple Robots
STEM Club continued their learning about electric circuits. They learned about conductive dough and insulating dough. "The conductive dough has three ingredients in it that help it to conduct electricity: salt, cream of tartar, and regular old tap water. When salt and cream of tartar mix with other substances, they break apart into tiny little pieces called ions. Salt breaks into ions of sodium and chlorine and cream of tartar release ions of potassium. These ions, mixed into the dough, allow the electricity to flow through it. Think of it as the electricity is jumping from ion to ion inside the dough. The tap water, like most water, also has ions in it."

"The insulating dough (“insulating” means that energy, like electricity, can’t move through something) doesn’t have any of those ingredients. Flour doesn’t break into ions, and neither does sugar. The most important ingredient, though, is distilled water. Distilled water is very, very pure. It doesn’t have any ions in it at all. If you try to drink some while making your dough, you will notice that it tastes funny, way different from the water we usually drink. The ions in normal water give it the taste we’re used to. Since the insulating dough has no ions in it, the electricity can’t flow through it."

Bristle bots are made using a toothbrush and a simple circuit. The circuit uses a battery, wire and a small motor. The vibration from the motor causes the bot to move and shake. Students used their design and engineering skills to create little moving robots.

Many thanks to the incredible crew of parents who plan amazing lessons for the students of STEM Club.

Did You Know?
–Did you know that the first graders in room 214 have lost 49 teeth since September?
–Did you know that the 4th grade students in room 307 dedicate an hour of their week to community service?
–Did you know that the 5th graders learned the Bachata?
–Did you know that the last day is now an Early Release Day for all CPS Schools JK-12?
–The last day of school this year is June 20 (adjusted to account for 2 snow days).



Meet Our Prinicipal Intern, Yarima 
Dear families,

I am thrilled to spend the spring semester at the Maria Baldwin school.

I am a proud Cambridge resident with two children currently attending Putnam Avenue Upper School and CRLS. Actually, my daughter, Penélope, attended RAUC before going to the high school. I am currently pursuing a master’s in School Leadership at the Harvard Graduate of Education after being an art teacher for almost two decades in six urban schools in Chicago, Miami and, most recently in East Boston.

As part of my licensure process, I am completing my principal internship at the Maria L. Baldwin this semester under the invaluable mentorship of principal Heidi Cook. While at the Baldwin school, I aspire to continue to develop my growth as a professional educator and to enhance my leadership skills to become an effective school administrator.

During my short time here since January, I have learned a lot from students, parents, teachers, staff, and Heidi. With no doubt, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from all of you as I grow to become an effective school leader who is committed to the academic achievement of all children we serve.

I am grateful for the warmth and welcoming spirit of the Baldwin community and I appreciate having the opportunity to be a contributing member of this amazing learning community.

If you have questions for me or would like to contact me, please do so at [email protected]. I will be happy to get to know you in the upcoming months.

Yarima Ariza, NBCT, EdM

Attention 5th Grade Families
There are many exciting events coming up for 5th grade students and their families. Learn more >>

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