4th Grade 3D Designed Space Colony Project
Students in fourth grade spent months in library and technology class researching a location in our solar system to place their colony. They considered energy, water, and food sources as well as temperature. They designed their colony using Tinkercad, a three dimensional design software with a blend of function and fun.
Entertaining Education on Energy Efficiency
Our students in some 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes were treated to a morning of fun, humorous learning about conservation, energy efficiency, and sustainable living.
They learned about energy resources - renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are those that keep coming back again and again, versus non-renewable, which will run out someday, like coal and natural gas. Hydroelectricity, a type of green energy, that is renewable.
During the interactive play, with student volunteers one of the scenes, "renewable is doable" was about the best solution to energy resources is a combination of both renewable and non-renewable. Conservation is important and every little bit helps. Incandescent light bulbs use a lot of energy which is why LED lights are so popular. Computers, when they are plugged in and not being used use energy. Unplugging helps.
Encore Performance
For the second week in a row, the 4th grade welcomed members of the Harvard Women's Basketball team into their classroom. This week, students in Mr. Hyland's class heard from players about perseverance and "sticking to it". Baldwin students worked in groups, each headed by a Harvard student, to talk about their goals. They put those goals into a time capsule which will be opened next year when the Harvard players return. Not only did the 4th graders get to work with team players, they went in force with their families to the Harvard vs. Quinnapiac game --- a thriller that had two overtime periods -- and another game vs. Rutgers. The largest and by far the loudest cheering section in the Lavietes Pavilion were some incredibly enthusiastic 4th graders. Thank you to Harvard coach Mike Rowe and the players for making such an impact on our students, and for making great memories.
Harvard Art Museum Visits
Our 2nd and 5th grade students visited the Harvard Art Museum's latest exhibit Animal-Shaped Vessels from the Ancient World. Thank you to parent Jinha Kim for helping make that possible. The exhibit includes vessels in the shape of standing or reclining animals, animal-headed cups and pitchers. Animals include lions, goats, deer, birds, and more. Ms. Lilli asked second grade students to sketch what they observed. Amazing work!
News from the Garden
The garden is being put to bed for winter, 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. During the winter the garden doesn't completely go away. Students will be growing seedlings in their classrooms, observing garlic bulbs sprout in water, and learning how worms transform our food scraps into healthy compost for next year.
Growing Crystals
Ms. Moylan's first grade class enjoyed a great scientific experiment - growing crystals! Fun, fascinating, soluble chemistry.
Girls Who Code!
Thank you to parent Aran Nathanson for organizing a Girls Who Code Club for Baldwin 4th and 5th grade girls. On a recent session, three inspirational women in the IT field came to talk to the students about their profession, their passion, and how they got there. Hear more >>
STEM Club News
Students in STEM club tried to get to the bottom of an important scientific question: when Spider-Man uses his web to swing through the city, is that web stretchy, like a rubber band, or it is more like a rope? The kids knew the answer right away: it’s stretchy, like a rubber band! Learn more >>
Tech Goes Home Graduates!
This year, Baldwin School partnered with Tech Goes Home to help serve our community. Tech Goes Home (TGH) is an award-winning nonprofit that helps communities access technology. Students and their adult learn together. The 15-hour course focuses on learning new technology skills all while spending time together and having fun. Our families learned about different websites and applications that will help their child with their education needs as well as helping their family learn about websites that will help with their lifestyles needs. Upon completing the course, families are eligible to purchase a brand new Chromebook at a very discounted price. Families are also given access to reduced fee Internet options as well as a program that teaches foreign languages. This past weekend, Baldwin participants completed the course and received their brand new computer! Thank you to all the families who attended. Congratulations on completing the course! We are very excited to participate in this program and look forward to offering another class in the spring.
Principal Corner
Dear Families,
I’m pleased to write today after a wonderful couple of weeks of building that Baldwin School spirit!
Over the last two weeks, I was able to visit each classroom and talk a bit about Maria L. Baldwin, former principal and E.E. Cummings, a former student of Miss Maria Baldwin. Students were ready to listen and learn about who our wonderful school is named after!
Hear more from Heidi >>
Upcoming Community Conversations
Starting in 2019, a series of community meetings will take place at Rindge Avenue Upper School for the North Cambridge community, including the Baldwin community. There will be five sessions to talk about issues around racial equity, racial bias in education, racial identity, and more. The series of evening conversations to discuss race and racial equity, how it impacts teaching, learning, and family experiences at school. Learn more >>
Millennials
Cassandra, Ausaures, Anna and Andrik in Ms. Carrie and Ms. Amy's kindergarten class. Too cool for school!
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 >>
In Our District & Community
Cambridge SEPAC Meeting
January 17 | 6-7:30PM | CRLS
Topic: Potential Changes to School Schedules in CPS
Attention Cambridge Dads!
This is information from John Arias, new Coordinator for Cambridge Dads -
a project of the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families.
We are actively gathering input from fathers across Cambridge to help guide programming that meets dads’ needs. Our project promotes active parenting and self-care through dads and kids’ activities, dads only events, and social media platforms. Please take this brief fatherhood survey. Thank you!
http://bit.ly/fatherhoodsurvey
Cambridge Winter Farmers Market
Craving healthy, fresh produce? 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 - 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!
Every Saturday, January 5 - April 6
10AM - 2PM
Cambridge Community Center gymnasium, 5 Callender Street
For more information please contact: [email protected]
* SNAP and HIP are gladly accepted at this market!
Bay State Skating School
Recreational, figure, and hockey skating skills.
For children ages 4 to 18.
New winter classes on Saturdays at 2PM at the Cambridge Simoni Rink
Class dates: 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, and 3/2
2019 Curiosity Challenge
Are you between the ages of 5 and 14? Are you curious? Write an essay or poem, draw a picture, or take a photograph about your curiosity and tell us how it prompted you to explore your world.
Submit it at any Cambridge Public School, Cambridge Public Library branch or by mail to:
The Curiosity Challenge, c/o MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Avenue
Entries are due by Friday, February 8.
Winners will be honored at the Cambridge Science Festival on Saturday, April 20.
Learn more at CambridgeScienceFestival.org
Title IX Girls Running Club
Registration is currently open for the indoor winter season. The club meets at Wellbridge Athletic Club on Sundays from February 10 through March 31, at 1:45-3:15PM. This program is open to girls ages 9-15. Scholarships are available.
Register online at https://www.titleixgirls.org/running-club/
Immigration Legal Screening Clinics
3rd Wednesday each month, 5:15-7:15PM
Free consultations with an immigration attorney for Massachusetts immigrants and their families
Community Legal Services & Counseling Center (CLSACC)
90 Third St., Cambridge
617.349.4396; [email protected]
Cambridge Affordable Housing Information Sessions
Attend an upcoming affordable housing workshop in the New Year! Learn about a range of rental and homeownership programs offered through the City. Learn more >>
Let's Connect!
Stay in the loop by joining our social media communities.
Follow Baldwin School on Facebook | District Social Media
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BALDWIN CALENDAR
December 24 - January 1
Winter Break
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
School Resumes
Monday, January 7
Special Education Parent Group Meeting | 8:30AM
Tuesday, January 8
Friends of Baldwin Meeting | 8:55AM
Wednesday, January 9
School Council Meeting
8AM
Friday, January 11
All-School Meeting | 9AM
Monday, January 14
Meeting About Extended School Day with Superintendent | 8AM
Monday, January 21
No School - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
View the Complete Calendar >>
GRATITUDE
First grade student, Finn, honors Ms. Karlene during a gratitude breakfast. Students in Ms. Moylan's class invited special guests who were honored at their Gratitude Breakfast.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Special Education Parent Group
January 7 | 8:30AM
Activity Room (Lower Level)
Please join us for a get together for parents and caregivers of students who receive Special Education services. Our new school psychologist Aubrey Rogers will be there to say hello and get to meet some of our parents.
Longer School Day Presentations
Learn about proposal for extended learning time ...
Proposal will be released in early January.
Public Forums on the proposal:
–January 10, 2019 at 6PM at Kennedy-Longfellow School, 158 Spring Street
–January 12, 2019 at 10AM at Graham & Parks School, 44 Linnaean Street
Childcare and a light meal will be provided at all sessions.
In addition to these sessions, the Superintendent will visit each school for adults to hear about the proposal. The session at the Baldwin School will be:
Monday, January 14 at 8AM - Baldwin School Library
Friends of Baldwin Monthly Meetings
Friends of Baldwin meets monthly on Tuesdays from 8:55 - 10AM in the cafeteria. All are welcome to attend. They are a great way to connect with other parents.
January 8
April 9
February 12
May 14
March 19
June 11
Save the Date!
Baldwin Blooms
May 18
LAST WEEK TO REGISTER BALDWIN SIBLINGS FOR KINDERGARTEN!
Do you have a child ready to start kindergarten? Sibling families can register at school during the month of December through January 4. If you have a child born between September 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015, they are ready for Junior Kindergarten. If your child will be 5 years old by August 31, 2019, they're ready for kindergarten!
Please contact Susan at 617.349.4377 or [email protected] for a kindergarten registration packet and instructions on what is required to register at school.
FREE BREAKFAST
FOR EVERYONE
Thanks to the City of Cambridge, students can access a healthy, delicious & nutritious breakfast absolutely FREE of charge! Learn more >>
BALDWIN SCHOOL COUNCIL
Be part of a group of parents and faculty that work in conjunction with the Baldwin faculty teams to work toward the school's improvement goals. Meetings are held once a month (on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 8 AM). Your child is welcome to accompany you or can go to the cafeteria for breakfast or to the gymnasium for Let's Move. Meetings are in the coaches room on the 4th floor. Meetings are open to all. Meeting notes are distributed via email.
The next meeting: Wednesday, January 9.
Agenda: Extended School Day and if time allows, Playworks.
ALL-SCHOOL MEETINGS
Each month, the Baldwin School has an all-school meeting. This is an opportunity for the entire school to get together as a community. It is run like a Responsive Classroom morning meeting starting with a greeting followed by classroom shares. Classrooms take turns sharing their work. Meetings are run by the students. All are welcome to attend. Meetings will generally be on Friday with a rotating time.
The next all-school meeting is January 11 at 9AM.
2018-19 DHSP SCHOOL YEAR RESOURCE GUIDE
This handy guide is available via Find It Cambridge! Take a look >>
MOBILE APP
Stay informed via our FREE mobile app!
Details >>
FIND IT CAMBRIDGE
Looking for things to do in Cambridge? Then take a peek at Find It Cambridge!
www.finditcambridge.org
QUICK LINKS
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Baldwin School
85 Oxford St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
617.349.6525
Baldwin Website
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