Who's Who at the King
Last year when long time Occupational Therapist Millie Schlapnik retired her position was filled by Sanaya Kondaskar. Now at the end of her first year at the King School, I asked her how it all went.

“I love the King! It’s so diverse, culturally tolerant, and sensitive. Everyone is open and helpful to new staff members and goes out of their way to be help. All the staff is well trained and the focus is really on the children. There is real team work at the King and I felt at home right away”

Sanaya comes to us from Somerville Public Schools where she was an O.T. She also has worked in Texas at an outpatient pediatric clinic as well as with geriatric populations.

Sanaya’s interest in O.T. began in her childhood in India. Her aunt was an Occupational Therapist and would sometimes take her along to see patients in their homes.

“In India, there is no specialization by age so, my aunt would work with all ages, early intervention, feeding techniques, tummy time, stroke victims. I found it fascinating and by 10th grade I knew this is what I want to do.”

While this year her main focus has been getting to know the students and their families. Next year she would like to focus on further developing their fine motor skills (most kids are sent to her needing fine motor support) and visual memory. She has written a book, Planet L, to help with just that. The book is particularly helpful in addressing handwriting skills by prompting students to make visual associations and to decrease letter reversals.



Last Open Market of the Year: May 30
Students will not be permitted to shop at this market as it begins after dismissal on Wednesday.



MLK Field Day
Wednesday, June 13th
We will walk from school to nearby Hoyt Field, on the corner of Western Ave. and Montague St. There will be fun and games for all grade-levels from 9AM - 1PM.

A bagged lunch can be ordered from the cafeteria or you can send one from home. Water will be will be provided at the field.
IMPORTANT: Students should come to school with cool clothing, sneakers (not sandals), a water bottle, and sunscreen already applied. We NEED at least 10 parent volunteers to help run the activity stations and share in this fun day! Please contact Mrs. Leon to volunteer and/or check below to volunteer.



Got feedback? 
We can't wait to hear from you! CPS is conducting our first annual Family Survey, and we hope to hear from you by June 14th! 

If you haven't already received an email or text message, or it's gotten lost in your inbox, check out our Family Survey page and click on your family's school(s). You can also find questions & answers about the survey, view our outreach plan, and even make comments on ways to improve our outreach strategy.

For those who don't have a good way to take it from home, watch for survey-taking stations at events at school. We value your feedback and hope to learn and improve based on what we hear from you. 

The survey is part of our continuous improvement efforts, a key component of our CPS District Plan. 



Not enough hours in the day?
As part of our ongoing efforts to learn and improve as a school district, Cambridge Public Schools has identified a frequently-cited obstacle: time. 

Please join with us in discussing the recommendations of a joint report from the Cambridge Education Association and CPS Administration, which proposes extending the length of the school day. 

Beginning with these school-based conversations, and continuing with a broad community process in Fall 2018, the Superintendent will develop recommendations for any potential changes by Winter 2018-19.

Learn more about this process on the CPS website. Upcoming discussions are listed below, many of which have been scheduled for a regular meeting of School Councils. There will be more opportunities to contribute your thoughts and ideas over the coming months. Or, feel free to email us.



Do you have a basket of old markers?
Some work, some don’t. Did you know that Crayola recycles used markers (including other brands) so you don’t have to throw them in the trash? Click here to see directions on how to send them back to their company. And guess what? They even pay for shipping! All you need to do is box them up, print out the label and send it! PLEASE pass this on so that we can spare thousands of markers being thrown in the trash. Crayola ColorCycle will accept all brands of plastic markers, not just Crayola markers. That includes dry erase markers and highlighters! ColorCycle will eliminate placing hundreds of tons of markers into landfills.



Outside CPS
The Incredibles
Screens on June 2nd at 3PM at the Harvard Film Archive.
The admission is $5.

Hoops 'N' Health
June 16, 2018 | Hoyt Field | Cambridge
Join us for free games and activities for the whole family. For more information about the event contact Richard Harding at 617.665.3769.

Central Square Farmer’s Market
The Central Square Farmer’s Market is back for the 2018 season! Open every Monday between May 14 and November 19, the market features a variety of vendors offering both produce and prepared foods.

The Central Square Farmer’s Market is open every Monday from 12Noon - 6PM in the parking lot located at Bishop Allen Drive and Norfolk Street. Learn more >>

Margaret Fuller Kids Summer Program & Open House
Open House: May 30 | 6 - 7PM
Summer Program: June 29 - August 30
Summer Explorations is focused on giving your child an exciting and educational summer camp experience. At Summer Explorations we believe that children learn and develop best in a healthy, positive and supportive environment. Summer Explorations and Margaret Fuller Kids are licensed by Massachusetts Office of Early Education & Care. Applications can be picked up at 71 Cherry St. Cambridge, MA or by contacting Dooshima Mngerem or 617.547.4680 x225. 

KIDS 4 CODING will be offering Affordable Summer Tech Programs
At Lesley University in Cambridge, July 2 - Aug 17 and Newbury College in Brookline July 2 - July 27. 

Let's Connect! 
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