Cambridge Street Upper School | Sunday Rundown | January 31, 2021
Published on Jan 31, 2021 16:33

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Sunday Rundown
January 31, 2021

Letter to Caregivers


Dear CSUS Parents and Caregivers,

We hope this weekend’s letter finds you well and warm. First, we want to join so many of you in commending the work of our CSUS educators during these challenging times. We want to publicly recognize them for their collaborative planning and hard work to develop a transition plan from remote learning to a hybrid model. Their efforts have been exemplary and as school leaders we very much appreciate their solid support.

We have several new updates to share as we continue to prepare to provide expanded in-person/hybrid learning opportunities beginning on March 1.

Here are some important dates and relevant next steps

  • Friday, January 29: Families were notified earlier last week of their scholar’s enrollment status based on information from the January 8-15 family survey. In-person families should have received an additional email this past Friday with important information regarding the in-person learning schedule and required health forms.

    The In-Person Learning schedule for CSUS will be as follows:
    • 6th and 8th Grade Scholars will be in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays each week from 8:55 - 12:15
    • 7th Grade Scholars will be in-person on Thursdays and Fridays each week from 8:55 - 12:15
    • All scholars will engage in remote learning on Wednesdays
  • Wednesday, February 3: District-wide professional development day for important school-based staff planning and preparation. There will be NO SCHOOL for scholars on Feb 3. Scholar Flex Time assignments will be adjusted to accommodate the shorter school week.
  • Friday, February 12: To allow for a smoother transition to our new hybrid schedule, CSUS will be extending Semester 1 for one week with a new Semester end date of 2/12. Report cards will be posted on 2/22. There will be no Flex Time assignments the week of 2/8.
  • Week of February 15 - February 19: February Break; No school for all scholars
  • Monday, February 22: Scholars will begin following the Semester 2 schedule remotely on Feb 22. Both remote and planned in-person scholars will undergo an orientation to the new schedule. Cobra Den Leaders will use the week of February 22 to support scholars in understanding schedule changes and in-person learning protocols where applicable.

Families interested in being placed on a waiting list to change their scholar’s learning model (either from remote to in person or from in person to remote) may request a change to a student’s instruction mode (in-person or remote learning) through the existing COVID-19 Hardship Appeal process. At this time, CSUS has already begun making staffing and scheduling decisions based on data from the January 8-15 family survey. We do not expect to be able to honor transitions between learning models at this time; however we will honor a waiting list system to accommodate families seeking to do so in the future and will notify families of opportunities to change their scholar’s instructional mode on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thank you to families who completed last week’s optional survey on increased instructional time. We value your feedback, and included your recommendations along with those from scholars when finalizing our upcoming Semester 2 schedule. We also deeply appreciate the many caregivers who used the survey as an opportunity to communicate gratitude and thanks for teachers’ hard work, dedication, and innovation rising to the challenge of remote teaching and learning. We shared these kudos with staff at our most recent TEAM CSUS meeting last week, and your words provided great comfort and motivation as we prepared for the instructional and procedural shift of welcoming scholars back to 840 Cambridge Street in-person. As always, we thank you for entrusting us with your scholar’s learning. We understand that you have choices regarding your child’s education, and we appreciate you choosing CSUS.

Peace,
Manuel and Christen

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Cambridge Debate League


Tuesdays | 3-4PM | View Flyer >>
Interested in debate? Join the Cambridge Debate Team! *Available to any student in Grades 6-8th. Contact Megan Litten to request your virtual invitation. More details >>

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Announcing this year's 2021 (Virtual) School Play!


Auditions will be held on February 2nd & 3rd with Callbacks on the 4th. Join the Google Classroom Callboard with code xkhwm6t or email Ms. Smith for more information.

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TACI Tuesdays: Let’s Talk About...

Tuesdays | 12NOON | *Contact Ms. Kronhaus for meeting link
Join Ms. Kronhaus if you are an CSUS scholar interested in discussing current issues. Find support and brainstorm ideas around what we can do as a community to generate change! View flyer >>

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Virtual Art Lunch

Grade 7/8 - Wednesdays | 12:30NOON - 1PM
Grade 6 - Thursdays | 12:30NOON - 1PM

Hang out with Ms. Silbert, Sofija and CSUS scholars for art lunch via Google Classroom Meet! To join, email Ms. Silbert. Flyer>>

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Reduced Fare Student T-Passes

Reduced fare student t-passes are available at the CSUS main office. Please contact Assistant Principal, Ms. Sohn at 617-599-7508 if you experience difficulty accessing the building.

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Illustrative Mathematics Curriculum

Grade 6 scholars will be using this curriculum in math. Click here to learn more >>

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Remote Learning Assignments and Resources

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Coronavirus (COVD-19) Testing

Where to Get Tested
Testing appointments through the City's free mobile-testing program are now available at the following locations:

  • Monday: 50 Church St. 12PM-8PM
  • Tuesday: 50 Church St. 12PM-8PM
  • Wednesday: 2254 Massachusetts Ave, St. John the Evangelist Church, 10AM-6PM
  • Thursday: CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11AM-7PM (Drive-through testing in garage. Enter on First St.)
  • Friday: 50 Church St. 12PM-8PM
  • Saturday: Pisani Center located at 131 Washington Street. 11AM-7PM
  • Sunday: CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11AM-7PM (Drive-through testing in garage. Enter on First St.)

You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 617.349.9788.

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Breakfast & Lunch Distribution

The CPS Food & Nutrition team will provide breakfast and lunch to your children as the school year begins, Monday through Friday from 12NOON to 1PM! See what's on the menu this month and pick up a turkey deli sandwich or hummus & veggie pack today at a site near you:  View the Menu >>
View Distribution Sites >>

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Find It Cambridge

There are many programs available to Kindergarteners - 8th Graders this Fall. Here are some resources for:

Find other opportunities here or call/text 617.686.2998, or email us. 

Programs are continuing to update their opportunities based on the recent state guidelines, so check back often!

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In Our Community

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Healthy Snack of the Week

Greek Yogurt with chopped apples, walnuts, and honey!

Here's Cambridge in Motion's Healthy Snack of the Week:
Greek Yogurt with chopped apples, walnuts, and honey!

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cps logo
 Cambridge Street Upper School
840 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
website  •  617.349.3050
CPS Mobile App >>
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