We Are Almost at the New Year!
We are almost to the New Year! The kids have really hit their stride academically. I hope you all took part in parent/teacher conferences. Remember that if you have questions about your children’s learning you can always contact classroom teaches via email or phone. Although teachers are not always available to talk during the school day they are very good at returning calls!
December Garden News
The garden is being put to bed for winter (big thanks to the 5th graders!), but there is still a lot to explore. Most plants have been removed for the year, the flower bulbs and garlic have been planted for next spring, the winter rye has sprouted, and the garden beds have been mulched with leaves & straw to protect the soil through the winter.
We've also constructed a hoop house in the garden! The plastic covering is tightly clamped to seal in the warmth from the sun and to protect plants from the elements. This allows us to extend our growing season and be ready for next spring with radishes, spinach, lettuces, herbs, and more. Stop by and take a peek! This winter a worm bin will be adopted by different classrooms week to week. Ask your child if they have seen it yet.
Parent Coffee Series 
Last month we started a series of academically focused parent coffees. These coffees will have academic coaches, teachers and administrators explaining important elements of education at K-Lo. Here are the talks we have set-up:
- Jan. 22 | Supporting Young Readers w/ ELA Coach, Nathalie Ais
- Feb. 12 | Understanding MCAS Testing, w/ Principal, Christine Gerber
- March 19 | Positive Behavioral Interventional Program (PBIS) w/Assistant Principal, Erin Kuehn & School Social Worker, Natalie Lang
- April 23 | See the MakerSpace! w/ Technology Instructor, Kathy Malone
- May 21 | Art Walk w/ Art Teacher, Ellen Pierce
All coffees start at 8AM and are in the Activity Room.
Amazing Partners
For the past few years our generous friends at neighborhood business, PegaSystems, have purchased holiday gifts for many of the students in our Weekend Backpack program. The gifts are then delivered by our other partners, Food For Free, so we can distribute them to families. We are so lucky to have such great friends….thanks Pega and Food For Free!
Friends of K-Lo
Thanks to the Friends of K-Lo for providing healthy snacks and water for our annual Turkey Trot! The kids were grateful for the fuel after all their hard work. It was a nice use of some of money from past Friends of K-Lo fundraisers! Here are a few things we are working on now:
- Start saving-up BoxTops for our early spring collection. The Friends Of will be sending home collection sheets soon so keep an eye out. Our November collection earned $92 for the school!
- Mark your calendars because the Friends of will be hosting a FREE Movie Night with Kennedy Community Schools on January 18th.
- The Friends Of K-Lo sends out corporate appeals letters to businesses in our neighborhood. If you know of a company that might want to help us out with a donation let the group know.
The next meeting is January 9th from 6-7PM. If you can reach out at any time to [email protected] and/or “like” friendsofklo on Facebook!
Margaret Fuller House
Attention parents, guardians, and caregivers! Are you looking for a fun and safe after school learning environment for your elementary school student? Do you need a place where your child can continue their social, emotional, and academic learning?
The Leaders of Today Peace Academy located at the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House is currently enrolling students from age 4.8 (4 years and 10 months) to 12. Located at 71 Cherry St., between Central and Kendall Squares, and just a seven minute walk from the Red Line, the Peace Academy provides a range of enriching activities centered around the core concepts of kindness and respect.
If you are interested in more information, please contact Dooshima Mngerem, Senior Director of Programs, by phone at 617.547.4680 x225, or by email.
Math Corner
Our first Parent Coffee on 12/18 talked about Math with host Karla Anderson, our Math Coach. You can look at this online resource Ms. Anderson shared: NCTM Family Guide.
Reminder: Sibling Registration
Don’t forget: if you have a child born between September 1, 2013 and March 31st 2015, he/she is eligible for Junior or Senior Kindergarten! If you have a currently enrolled Kennedy-Longfellow student you can complete your entire registration here at school! Please contact me as soon as possible so that I can get you the information that you need. All sibling registration materials need to be BEFORE JANUARY 11th! I can be reached at [email protected] or 617.349.4865.
Triad Planning
After completing 5th grade, K-Lo students transition to the Putnam Avenue Upper School (PAUS). They are joined at PAUS by 5th graders from Morse and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. schools. These schools make-up what is called the “Putnam Avenue Triad”. We would like to have families and kids in the triad start to make connections long before their middle school years. This means that we need to start building community in the elementary years. If you would be interested in getting together with MLK, Morse and PAUS parents to plan social events, please let me know ([email protected]). We really need your help!
For 5th grade parents: please keep an eye out for information regarding transition activities! Here is what we know so far:
- In January the 5th grade students will attend a special performance of the PAUS musical, “Peter Pan”.
- In early spring, a team from PAUS, including Principal Chardin, the 6th Grade Teacher Leader, Counselors and select current 6th Grade Students will visit 5th grade classrooms to answer questions and share information about PAUS and specifically what it's like to be a 6th grader at PAUS.
- In late spring, PAUS will host all rising 5th grade students for a morning.
- In late May/early June, PAUS will welcome families for the 5th Grade family open house
- The Office of Student Services (OSS) teams from PAUS and K-Lo will meet to discuss the transitions of IEP services for all students who currently receive supports.
If you are interested in touring PAUS please contact [email protected].
Visitor check-In
Most of our lanyard visitor passes have migrated away from the office and we are going to make a minor change. Only the Kennedy Preschool families with the lanyards of Kennedy-Longfellow and CSUS families will use the sticker sign-in tags. The stickers also create a log because there is a carbon copy.
Winter Farmers Market
Craving healthy, fresh produce? Looking to purchase some artisan cheeses or some jams and jellies? Curious to see some local art and crafts, or just to get out of the house and connect with neighbors? Then come to the Cambridge Winter Farmers Market! Opening day is right after the New Year on Saturday, January 5, and we will continue every Saturday through April 6, 10AM to 2PM at the Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender Street, Cambridge - a 10 minute walk from the Central Square T station). We've got a dynamite group of vendors, musicians, and other community groups assembled and we'd love to see you there! Come in from the cold and into our wonderful community gathering space - grab some coffee, freshly baked goods, your weekly produce, listen to the music, connect with your neighbors, and stay for lunch!
WHAT: Cambridge Winter Farmers Market
WHEN: Every Saturday,
January 5 - April 6, 2019 | 10AM - 2PM
WHERE: The gymnasium of the Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender Street
WHY: Good food, great music and art, wonderful community!
MORE INFO: Email
* SNAP and HIP are gladly accepted at this market!
Learning & Professional Time
Like any other resource, schools must use their time wisely if we hope to realize the promise of educational equity through rigorous, joyful, and culturally responsive experiences for all learners.
In 2017-18, a joint group of educators and administrators, co-chaired by leaders from the Cambridge Education Association (CEA) and CPS Office of Curriculum and Instruction recommended that CPS “lengthen the standard day for students and staff at all levels.” After an extensive collaborative process, the Superintendent of Schools has decided to propose a moderate increase to the 6 hour elementary and upper school day, along with guidelines for effectively meeting the educational, developmental, and social-emotional needs of students.
A new FAQ has been posted in response to questions we have received during the community feedback process. More details from surveys, working groups, and feedback sessions will be posted soon. Learn more >>
Let's Connect!
Stay in the loop by joining our social media communities.
Facebook | Twitter
District Social Media >>
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UPCOMING KLO EVENTS
Winter Break
December 24, 2018, through January 1, 2019
Winter Farmers Market
January 5 | 10AM-2PM
The gymnasium of the Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender Street
Cambridge SEPAC Meeting
Topic: Potential Changes to School Schedules in CPS
January 17 | 6 - 7:30PM at CRLS
Parent Coffee
January 22 | 8AM
Activity Room
FREE MEAL PROGRAM
Does your family qualify for free or reduced priced meals? Learn More here.
IN OUR DISTRICT & COMMUNITY
Immigration Legal Screening Clinics - FREE!
This FREE monthly clinic offers participants a consultation with an immigration attorney and the chance to learn more about how immigration law affects them and their families.
Details >>
More immigration resources >>
View programs & events in our community >>
MOBILE APP
Stay informed via our FREE mobile app!
Details >>
2018-19 DHSP SCHOOL YEAR RESOURCE GUIDE
The new guide is now available via Find It Cambridge! Take a look >>
FREE BREAKFAST
FOR EVERYONE
Thanks to the City of Cambridge, students can access a healthy, delicious & nutritious breakfast absolutely FREE of charge! Learn more >>
HEALTHY SNACK OF THE WEEK
Cambridge in Motion's healthy snack suggestion for the week is Whole wheat tortilla with hummus, sprouts, cucumber & carrots.
FIND IT CAMBRIDGE
Looking for things to do in Cambridge? Then take a peek at Find It Cambridge!
www.finditcambridge.org
Kennedy-Longfellow School
158 Spring St.
Cambridge, MA 02141
617.349.6841
Fax: 617.349.3242
KLO Website
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