Greetings

Dear RAUC families,

We hope you had a great April vacation! To watch or listen to some highlights from this week's news, please click the image.

As always, if you have any questions or comments about the news or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by email at [email protected] or phone at 857.244.0730.

Best,
Julia Ho, RAUC Family Liaison

Message from Principal Craven: Medical Leave through May 31

Dear RAUC Families,

I have made a decision to take a medical leave through May 31 to focus on healing from long Covid.  It is a decision that is both wrenching and simple.  Wrenching because I so wish I could be present to support students, families, and staff as we make yet another shift in our instructional model; simple because my body has made clear I need to step back.

Of course, I know that I leave everyone in very capable hands.  I have such faith in the educators at RAUC, in our community, and in the power of our core values.  RAUC's leadership team is well positioned to address any questions that arise and of course the district is always here to support us as well.

Please know that I will be thinking of everyone on April 28 and sending my best wishes for a smooth and joyful entry into the final stage of this year's extraordinary journey.  I so very much look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Stay safe and well,
Julie Craven (RAUC Principal)

New schedule starts tomorrow!

• The first day of the new schedule is a Wednesday, which means students will be having STEM and Literacy Blocks.
  
• You can find more detailed information about schedules for different cohorts here on the RAUC Library website under ‘classes and schedules’.
  
  • New schedules should also now be viewable on Aspen.
    
  • Not sure where to find the schedule? Email Julia Ho
    
• All students have been invited to their new classes on Google classroom. They must accept the invitations to join the class.
  

Reminders for families of in-person students:

• Students should bring…
  
  • Fully charged school laptops
    
  • Writing utensil (pencil, pen etc.)
    
  • Notebook or paper
    
  • Water bottle
    
  • Lunch (optional - we will also have hot lunches available)
    
  • Any snacks (that they can eat during mask breaks or recess)
    
• Students should wear masks and dress in layers. We plan to have outdoor lunch and recess and utilize outdoor spaces as much as weather permits.
  
• You can find your student’s bus stop information here.
  • Click here for a video tutorial on how to find your bus information
    
  • Note: Students that live within 1 mile of the school are unfortunately not eligible for the school bus.
    
  • For more information about school transportation, please visit the district Transportation webpage here.
    
• COVID-19 Testing: We strongly encourage all students to participate in weekly surveillance testing. In order for students to be tested, families must fill out the COVID-19 Testing form.
  
  • You can fill out the form:
    
    • Online at the caregiver portal OR
      
    • Print, sign and email the this PDF (Amharic | Arabic | Haitian-Creole | Spanish | Bengali) to [email protected] or give it to your child to bring to school tomorrow.
      
      • We will also provide students with a paper copy tomorrow.
        

MCAS Dates

• This year, for grades 6-8, the MCAS will take place from May 17 - June 11
  
  • The tests will be shorter than in normal years.
    
  • Students will still be tested in the same subjects: Math, ELA and Science (8th grade only)
    
  • Remote students will take MCAS remotely (more information to come); in-person students will take the MCAS in-person.
    
• Please note:
  
  • There will be no negative impact to students based on their MCAS results or a family’s refusal to participate.
    
    • Families who do not want their students to participate in the MCAS this year should notify the school (call: 617.349.4060 or email [email protected]).
      
  • This year, because of the pandemic, the state will not penalize schools or districts based on MCAS participation results.
    
• For more information, please check out the district MCAS webpage.
  
• Questions? Email Julia Ho.
  

Tech Corner

Make sure your laptop is ready for learning!

• Charge your school Chromebook and test it out.
  
• If anything doesn't work, take your Chromebook to the Help Desk.
  

Water Bottle Classroom Initiative for 6th Graders! 

The Cambridge Healthy Smiles program is launching its annual Water Bottle Classroom Initiative this month. Students in Grade 6 received a personal water bottle to use at school to promote oral health. The Charles Bullock Fund, which supports the oral health needs of school aged children in Cambridge, provides these reusable water bottles.

More info >>

April is School Library Month!

School Library Month is a time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians and strong school library programs, including our wonderful Cambridge Public Schools Library Team, play in transforming learning. Visit the American Association of School Librarians' website to learn more and view author and illustrator videos about the importance of school libraries and reading. #EveryoneBelongs@YourSchoolLibrary #AASLslm

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