Welcome Back!
Dear HSEP Families,
Welcome Back! I hope you enjoyed your summer with family and friends. l look forward to the new 2016-2017 school year and we hope you are too! Last year, was HSEP’s Year of Transition. During my first year as the principal of HSEP, I believe, as a school community, we began to redefine who we are by honoring our legacy of community while developing more shared leadership including our first Parent Council and Student Government. As HSEP’s 5 year plan continues, this school year 2016-2017, will be marked as HSEP’s Year of Exploration & Development followed by 2017-2018 as HSEP’s Year of Implementation.
During this year, HSEP’s staff, students, and families will continue to redefine/improve our mission and vision, school culture, classroom curricula, student attendance, and student achievement. We will discuss the following topics:
- What is Social Justice?
- What are the best ways to include social justice themes into our school culture and classroom curriculum?
- How does HSEP continue to define Alternative Education?
- How does Cultural Proficiency improve student achievement?
- What is Competency-based education?
Parent Council and School Site Council
We look forward to partnering with parents and students as we continue to improve HSEP. During September, we will send letters asking parents to join Parent Council and School Site Council. First meetings will begin in October 2016.
Staffing Updates: Goodbyes, Good Luck, and Welcome
I wanted to inform you that Mr. Diny (ELA), Ms. Wedderburn (Science), and Peter Haycox (Building Substitute/Tutor) will not be returning this year. We appreciate their service at HSEP. We wish them good luck in their new endeavors. We are in the process of hiring a new science teacher, building substitute, and tutor. In addition, I would like to welcome our new ELA teacher Daniel Goldman. Mr. Goldman graduated from Connecticut College with a B.S. in Literature in English. He has taught and volunteered in urban districts including Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge.
First Week of School Schedule
Next week, the High School Extension Program will be following a modified schedule so that the faculty has a chance to welcome new students and reconnect with returning students. New Student and Parent Orientation will be on Tuesday, September 6th, 2016 from 8:30 - 9:30AM. During this time, you will meet staff, review school policies, and receive student’s schedule.
The school schedule for the week of September 5, 2016 is as follows:
Monday, September 5 : No School Labor Day
Tuesday, September 6: New Student and Parent Orientation | 8:30 - 9:30AM
By appointment only Student/ Parent Conferences with Faculty | 10:30AM – 2:30PM.
Wednesday, September 7 : Regular School Day | 9:30AM - 2PM.
By appointment only Student/Parent Conferences with Faculty 10AM to 2PM
Thursday & Friday, September 8 & 9: Regular School Day | 8:10AM - 2:20PM.
By appointment only Student/Parent Conferences with Faculty | 8:30AM – 2:30PM.
If you have any questions please contact the main office at 617.349.6880.
Sincerely,
Ms. Mawakana Onifade
Principal
MBTA Pass Information
MBTA passes will be available in the Main Office starting Friday, September 2nd. Learn more >>
Free Clarinet Performance Tonight!
CRLS Clarinet Ensemble
September 1, 2016 | 7PM
Cambridge Music Consortium (Room 7)
315 Broadway | Cambridge, MA
Featuring works by Handel, Elgar, Ravel
Free Admission
Join us at the 2016 - 17 Friends of CRLS School Year Kickoff Community Meeting
September 27 | 7 - 8:30PM | Pearl K. Wise Library, CRLS
Welcome to families and staff new to CRLS! Welcome back to families and staff returning to CRLS! Parents, guardians, CRLS staff members, and Cambridge residents, please join Friends of CRLS for our 2016-17 Community Kick-Off to meet and mingle, talk about how to make the most of the CRLS experience for your family, learn about Friends of CRLS…and celebrate with a big piece of 10th Anniversary cake! Learn more >>
Cuba and Peru are within reach with assistance from Friends of CRLS
CRLS school trips for April vacation are now being planned for the destinations of Cuba and Peru. If you're interested in the trip to Cuba, please contact Jon Baring-Gould. If you're interested in the trip to Peru, please contact Kate Holmes.
After you've signed up for your trip and paid the deposit, you can look into the possibility of a Student Travel Fellowship from Friends of CRLS. Funds are available to help eligible low income students make participation possible in school-authorized trips. Please email us or visit CRLS Room 2136 for information.
Get Involved with FOCA
There are many opportunities for parent engagement at CRLS and the Friends of Cambridge Athletics (FOCA) supports many aspects of this process for the athletics program. Participation is simple and there are many volunteer opportunities. Areas range from FOCA events to serving as parent liaison to teams. To learn more about our work and to get involved visit our website, send an email, or just come to one of our meetings held the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Athletics office 6 - 7:30PM.
Career & College Resource Center
uAspire: Free Financial Help
Free Financial Aid Help in the CCRC Tuesday through Friday mornings. Students can sign up in the CCRC (next door to the Media Cafe). 617.585.6361
Look Who's Visiting the CCRC
College representatives will be visiting Room 1501. You must sign up on Naviance and print your confirmation letter to attend. Space is limited. View the Schedule >>
CEOC is Here to Help You!
Need help filling out the CSS/PROFILE or other financial aid forms? Wondering how to pay for college? Have questions about navigating the college process? CEOC can help!
Appointments are also available on other days, evenings, and weekends at our office in Central Square (11 Inman St. Right behind City Hall). Contact Tina Alu (617.868.2900) for more information or to make an appointment today!
 Cambridge School Volunteers (CSV)
Are you interested in volunteering? Please contact Deandra Williams at 617.349.6794. Here are some key dates for returning volunteers: The Tutoring Center re-opens on September 6th. The Career College Mentor Program begins on September 28th. Learning Centers reopen early October. SAT Prep starts with seniors on October 4th.
CSV Free SAT Tutoring
Every Tuesday starting October 4 | 2:30 - 4:30PM
CRLS' Fiction Room
We will offer SAT prep every Tuesday.
ACT, SAT, AP Testing
Don't forget to register in advance for these exams. View the Testing Schedule >>
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