New Traditions at MLK

Self-Compassion for Parents
Join two experts for this workshop to learn skills and help you develop the resources to be more compassionate with yourself as a parent, and therefore more present, less stressed and compassionate with your children. Lunch is included (along with kid friendly options!)

When: Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 10AM – 4PM
Location: Harvard University, SOCH HILLES, 59 Shepard St. Cambridge, MA 02138
Contact: Email us, 617.591.6132



Dance in P.E.
MLK 5th grade students will begin the Ballroom Dance curriculum Tuesday March 20th. The performance will be in May. Students will learn to Merengue, Foxtrot, Swing, Waltz, Tango, and Rumba. Roll back the rug, turn on the music and start dancing! Practice makes perfect.



Civic Engagement
City Manager Louis DePasquale is seeking Cambridge residents interested in serving on the Police Review & Advisory Board. Made up of volunteer members who serve five-year terms, the Board generally meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 6PM, except for July and August.

The Police Review & Advisory Board was established by City Ordinance in 1984 to:

• Provide for citizen participation in reviewing Police Department policies, practices, and procedures;
• Provide a prompt, impartial, and fair investigation of complaints brought by individuals against members of the Cambridge Police Department; and
• Develop programs and strategies to promote positive police/community relations and to provide opportunities for productive discussions, improved understanding, and innovative ways of resolving differences.

The Board consists of five Cambridge residents who are representative of the City's racial, social, and economic composition. Board Members must: possess a reputation for fairness, integrity, and responsibility; have demonstrated an active interest in public affairs and service; and be a resident of the City of Cambridge. Read more information about the Board >>

Board Members serve as volunteers without compensation and are responsible for: reviewing and evaluating completed investigations to make findings on the allegations contained in each complaint; identifying needs for changes to police department policies, procedures or training and reporting findings and recommended solutions to the Police Commissioner and the City Manager; and assisting in education and outreach to promote awareness and understanding of the Board and strengthen community-police relations.

To Apply: A letter of interest and brief résumé can be submitted online by April 6, 2018. Paper applications are also available in the City Manager’s Office, Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.

An Interesting article from the Mindful Life Team
If your to-do list is as long as mine, I bet the idea of stopping for 30 minutes to do nothing makes you feel anxious.

Am I right?

But guess what? When your brain is overwhelmed by all-the-things, you’re in fight, flight or freeze mode, which means the “smart” part of your brain (the prefrontal cortex) basically shuts down. Good luck being productive when you can’t think straight!

It sounds counterintuitive, but when you take some down time, you calm the “alarm” part of your brain (the amygdala), so the smart part of your brain can work again.

One of the best things you can do for your stress level is to schedule some “whatever” time for you and your family. Do you ever find yourself beating your head up against the wall trying to solve a problem, and then you take a shower or go for a run and the perfect solution just pops into your head? That’s your amygdala calming down and your prefrontal cortex coming back on line. “Whatever” time has the same effect.

No plans. No expectations. Just spontaneous enjoyment of each other.

Maybe you can find time for an hour or two on the weekends. Maybe you fit in 30 minutes one or two nights a week. Just get it on the schedule.

Then stop, relax and listen to each other. No phones or devices. Just have fun.

Think of a time when your family is usually all together, and book it.



Curbside Compost Goes Citywide April 2!
Did you know that Cambridge has had a pilot curbside compost program for 1 to 12 unit buildings with City trash service in North Cambridge? And that most participants cut their trash by 35%?

By composting we can help the City cut waste and put our food scraps to work making clean energy and fertilizer.

Tell your friends, family, and neighbors to grab their new bins and start composting!

Volunteer to help move bins off the curb! 
Saturday April 7 | 1 - 3:30PM, meet in front of City Hall 
RSVP to Camilla

Find out more >>

Curbside Compost Goes Citywide April 2 for 1-12 Unit Buildings!
To learn more, attend an open house near you:

Tobin School | Tuesday, March 20 | 6 - 7PM
Details >>

Main Library | Saturday, March 24 | 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Details >>

Kennedy-Longfellow School | Tuesday, March 27 | 6 - 7PM
Details >>

Find out more >> 

Go Green Challenge
The Go Green Challenge is a competition run each year in Cambridge Public Schools in partnership with the Department of Public Works (DPW). Every elementary classroom teacher receives a sheet to fill out with his or her students, indicating green actions they are taking together, such as recycling, having a plant in the classroom, or printing double-sided. 
Read more >>

Let's Connect! 
Stay in the loop by joining our social media communities. Follow MLK on Facebook and Twitter today.