Greetings from Julie Craven
Last Wednesday, Superintendent Salim sent a Statement on Racist Language to the entire Cambridge Public Schools community. I want to follow up on Dr. Salim’s message by sharing the ways we address concerns about discriminatory language and behavior at RAUC.
First, we work hard to lay a foundation of trust for students and families so that individuals feel safe reporting any concerns to us. You can expect that we will immediately investigate as soon as we learn of a concern. Please see the attached district policy, Dealing with Microaggressions, Harassment, and Discrimination in School to understand what that process looks like. As the policy notes, while our plan of action will vary depending on the situation, our priority is to remedy the problem as quickly as possible. We also believe in healing and growth. Whether the situation is peer to peer, or teacher to student, our hope is to bring the involved parties together so that those hurt are able to safely express their feelings and those responsible have an opportunity to take responsibility for the impact of their words or actions and make a commitment to grow. That may looks like facilitated mediation in the presence of a trusted adult, or a restorative circle. We will always contact families of students directly or indirectly involved--the timing and mode of communication will vary depending on the situation.
Additionally, we are committed to strengthening our capacity to, as Dr. Salim notes, “identify instances of interpersonal and structural racism within CPS and the ways that we, as individuals, unintentionally perpetuate racism.” We have dedicated five our staff meetings this year to working with the same group guiding school administrators and city elected officials, Disruptive Equity Education Project (DEEP). Indeed, our next equity-focused staff meeting is February 11. I look forward to sharing with you some of the materials we examine to give you a more detailed picture of that work. Social Studies teachers benefitted from last year’s departmental professional development focus on culturally responsive instruction, and have been leaders in bringing that learning back to their teams.
We also want to build student capacity around these issues. Teachers work to embed conversations about race, identity and equity into the curriculum. In particular, our Social Studies teachers start September with an identity unit; themes from those units are returned to throughout the year. Health and Advisory are other places were such work happens. And we are grateful for the conversations we know that families and students have outside of school. You send us thoughtful, engaged young people, ready to make this world a better place.
Please continue to engage with us in this important and challenging work. Please also consider joining our Courageous Conversations about Race with members of the RAUC, Peabody, and Baldwin communities--our next conversation is Tuesday evening, February 26. Finally, please continue to feel free to reach out to me or any RAUC staff member with your questions or concerns.
With respect and gratitude,
Julie Craven, Head of School
Unity Concert Lived Up to Its Name!
Last Thursday close to 300 people packed the gym to appreciate the band, chorus, orchestra, and percussion performances of RAUC 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Many came earlier for a community dinner to connect and unwind from the day, before the concert. Thanks to all who contributed to the evening’s success--Mr. Wroge, Mr. DeWitte, and Ms. Phillips for their dedication to their students; the students for aiming high in their efforts even when it gets discouraging; and families for supporting your students in practicing at home and sticking with it! If you missed the event or want to recall the names of songs or soloists, you can check out the program here. One particular highlight was the moving performance of Nina Cried Power by the RAUC Chorus, a tribute to the powerful legacy of Nina Simone on the eve of Black History Month.
Help Your Child Set Good Tech
Habits for Better Sleep
Have you noticed your child is sleeping badly, or exhausted during the day? You're not alone! This article from University of Michigan Health News gives a helpful list of suggestions. The number one tip: "Ban electronics from the bedroom." Phones can be irresistible, even when kids know they should be sleeping. Help them set good habits, so they can be at their best all day.
Craft Day at Library Recess
Students who chose to come to the library for recess last Wednesday had a new option: our first monthly craft day! We made earrings or keychains out of cut-up soda cans and wire. Students experimented with new techniques and admired each other's handiwork. It was a hit. Families, if you have extra craft supplies or ideas for interesting projects that can be learned quickly, please email Ms. Musher.
Dates to Note
Families should have received notification about the following events already. If you have questions, please reach out to school nurse Anita Barandao.
- 7th Grade only: Vision and Hearing testing
Tuesday, Feb 5
- 6th Grade only: Dental screening Tuesday, Feb 12
Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, RAUC Newsletters during February will feature a resource that will help us all better understand not just Black History, but America’s history. Have you seen the Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts Fifty-Fourth Regiment at the edge of Boston Common? The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The unit was the first African-American regiment organized in the northern states during the Civil War. Read more about them here! Meanwhile, February is your chance to view Black Panther for free!
We Need
Your Help
Dear families, we currently run 2 initiatives at RAUC for our students’ welfare. One is the Winter Coat Closet that many families have generously donated to. It provides our students with warm jackets when they don’t have adequate outerwear. Please let us know if your student requires a jacket and we will find one in their size and hand it to them. The other is a Snack Pantry that students access, with the permission of a teacher or staff member, when hunger becomes a barrier in learning. Our Pantry is currently running low on inventory and if families are looking for ways to support RAUC, we’d love for you to send in healthy individual size snacks for our students. Please email Taraneh Ahmadi to figure out how best you can support RAUC.
Sign-up for Helping at the
Community Markets
The Peabody/RAUC Community market takes place once a month and is open to everyone. We have 5 markets left for the remainder of the current school year. This is great opportunity for many to pick up free and healthy food supplies for their families. The market currently needs volunteers to help set up, run and clean up the community market at Peabody/RAUC. Please access the sign-up sheet here.
March-to-May Bootcamp for Middle
and High Schoolers
Are you a tinkerer or artist or designer, and dream about creating products that millions of people will use? Or are you a philanthropist at heart and want to see real change happen in your community? Having an entrepreneurial mindset transforms an idea or helping hand into a solution that people will actually use or get on board with. Learn how to find opportunities, validate an idea, find the right resources to make it happen, and get your idea moving through Youth CITIES' March-to-May Bootcamp. The program takes place near MIT (Kendall Square Cambridge, often considered to be the hub of innovation). Register for Bootcamp. Enrollment is on a first come basis, and a waiting list will begin after we've reached capacity. Needs-based
financial aid is ALWAYS available. If you have any questions, please email Vicky Wu Davis.
Specials Learning Previews 2/5/19
Read more >>
Last but not the least, to our RAUC families that observe the Lunar New Year, we wish you great happiness and prosperity!
Save the Date: CRLS’ Parent to
Parent Evening
Come to CRLS Principal Conference Room (459 Broadway, Cambridge 02138) on February 7 from 6-7:30PM, and connect with other parents to share experiences, and to support each other through these interesting developmental stages and yet challenging exciting times. A light meal is provided & childcare will be provided upon request. For more information please email Greta Hardina or call her at 617.349.6660.
Out of School Opportunities
*All flyers and registration forms are available at RAUC. Students or families can contact Justin McNulty: [email protected]
Feel Good Inc (See flyer)
When: Thursday, February 7
Where: Cambridge Public Library Teen Room
Time: 3-5PM
Ages: 12-18
Website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl/Teens
SUMIT (see flyer)
When: April 6th or 7th
Where: TBD
Time: 8:45AM-4:30PM
Grade: Girls, 6-11
Cost: $75 Registration Fee (Waved if Financially Needed)
Registration: Register on February 10th http://girlsangle.org/page/SUMIT/register.html
Contact: http://girlsangle.org/page/SUMIT/SUMIT.html or [email protected]
NCFO Science Festival Chorus for Kids (6+)
and Adults (see flyer)
When: Rehearsals Thursdays
Where: Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave, Cambridge
Time: 6:15-7:30PM
Ages: 6+ (Children 6 to 11 require a participating adult)
Register: Register by February 7th
Contact: www.familyopera.org or call Claudette at 617.821.5043 or e-mail [email protected].
Middle School February Vacation Week Program
(see application)
When: Tuesday Feb 19 - Friday Feb 22
Where: Frisoli and Russell Youth Center
Time: 9AM-6PM
Grades: 6-8, Cambridge Residents
Fee: $40
Deadline: Applications must be in by Friday, February 6th
MIT SPARK
When: March 16–17, 2019
Where: MIT Campus
Time: 9AM–5PM
Grades: 7 and 8
Cost: $40 Registration Fee
Contact: https://esp.mit.edu/learn/Spark/moreinfo.html
Registration:https://esp.mit.edu/accounts/login/?next=/learn/Spark/2019/studentreg
Title IX Running
When: Sundays, FEB 10–MAR 31, 2019
Where: Wellbridge Athletic Club, 5 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Time: 1:45-3:15PM
Ages: 9-15
Cost: $200 Scholarships available
Contact: http://titleixgirls.org/
26th Annual Summer Resource / Camp Information Fair (see flyer)
When: Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
Where: Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School 459 Broadway, Main Cafeteria
Time: 6:30-8:30PM
Contact: Liz Lewis at 617.349.6283 or email [email protected]
Girl’s Media (see application)
When: Wednesdays, March 13- May 15
Where: TBD
Time: 5-7PM
Grades: 6-8, Girls
Contact: http://tutoringplus.org/enroll/ 617.349.6588 x422 i[email protected]
In Our Community
What are you doing after school this winter?
The Winter/Spring Resource Guide, compiled by the Middle School Network, gathers together the MANY options for outside of school opportunities for middle school students (grades 6-8). It includes many year long programs (that young people join at all different points of the year) and a lot of unique programming for just Winter and Spring: sports, media, academic help, leadership and even some early job opportunities for older kids! To see about signing up and getting started in any of these opportunities, contact Justin McNulty.
Cambridge Digs DEEP
Equity Inventory: Inclusive Policies & Practices Across Cambridge City Departments
Thursday, February 7 | 5:30-8PM
Sullivan Chamber, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 795 Mass Ave.
Learn more >>
Book Talk
February 12 | 6-7:30PM
Dr. MLK School, 102 Putnam Avenue
You're invited to a book talk with authors Danielle Allen and Mira T. Lee. Learn more >>
Cambridge Affordable Housing Information Sessions
Learn about the eligibility requirements and application process for the following programs Cambridge Rental and Homeownership Programs: Inclusionary Housing Rental Program for studios, 1BR, 2BR, & 3BR units
throughout Cambridge, Homeowner Resale Pool, First-Time Homebuyer Workshop, Downpayment Assistance, and HomeBridge. Open to all. No RSVP Necessary. Learn more >>
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]
Free Markets
View Flyer Here >>
Let's Connect!
Stay in the loop by joining our social media communities.
RAUC Facebook >>
District Social Media >>
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