Greetings from Principal Julie Craven
Dear RAUC Families,
Our One Voice, One Sound concert was a success! The gym was packed Thursday night to listen to our RAUC stars perform. In a true testament to two of our RAUC core values, Aim high and seek Unity, student voices and instruments came together in harmonious sound. Audience members expressed awe at the quality of the student performance, gratitude for the dedication of the music teachers for their inspired instruction, and overall appreciation for the RAUC community. Thank you to all members of 6th - 8th grade chorus, orchestra, band, Urban Legends, and Jazz Band, as well as to the newly minted Lounge Singers, for your hard work to give us this concert. Performing isn’t easy and you pulled it off! Thank you to Mr. DeWitte, Ms. Phillips, and Mr. Wroge for pulling this wonderful event together. Thank you to Ms. Lee and all RAUC students for sharing your art work in our upstairs halls. Thank you to all who came early to eat together as a community, many of whom also brought dishes to expand our feast. And a final thank you to those kind people who stayed behind to help move all the furniture and equipment back to their proper places after the concert!
A number of people expressed particular gratitude that RAUC provides a community and safe haven for students to express their ideas, as exemplified by the Speak Your Mind rap composed and performed by the 8th grade orchestra. What better place than a community concert for students to give voice to both their concerns and their hopes for themselves and our nation. Unity is strengthened when people speak and listen honestly and respectfully. Many asked for a copy of the lyrics, so here they are. If you have any thoughts as you read them, I always welcome conversation!
Wishing everyone a great final two weeks before February break,
Julie Craven
Message from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Salim
Recent events at the national level have contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty and generated a number of questions for many in our community - in particular, for our immigrant families and staff. I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to educating, supporting, and welcoming all students and families in Cambridge Public Schools. By law, all students are guaranteed equal access to school regardless of their or their families’ immigration status. The resources on the following page may be helpful to families and staff who have questions and concerns related to your immigration status. View resources and translations >>
7th Grade Learning Previews
See what our students are going to be studying this month! Read more >>
Teachers as Learners
Staff continues to dig deeply into How to Create A Culture of Achievement during their weekly professional development. We most recently read and discussed Chapter 5: It’s Never too Late to Learn. This chapter focuses on the presumption of competence and how, under teacher guidance, students develop the skills and strategies they need to be successful.
Staff reflected on many ideas from the chapter, focusing on the belief that we want students to fully discover what they are capable of achieving. Teachers discussed the idea that “grades don’t teach, people do” and thoughtfully grappled with how to best collect evidence to determine mastery. The idea that “failure is not an option” resonated with teachers and there is a commitment to strengthen opportunity for academic recovery – additional time, supports, and resources -- to ensure all students achieve academic excellence.
Out of School Time Opportunities
*All flyers and registration forms are available at RAUC. Students or families can contact Justin McNulty at [email protected]
Title IX Girls Running Club
When:February 12th – April 2nd
Time: Sundays, 1:45-3:15PM
Where: Wellbridge Athletic Club, Camb.
Ages: 9-15
Cost: $200 – scholarship money available! Form can be filled out at http://titleixgirls.org/running-club-application
Contact: Stacy Rodriguez-Rennard, 617.312.1058, [email protected]
Register: http://titleixgirls.org/running-club
Girls Media: Tutoring Plus
When: March 8th - May 17th
Where: FMA, 225 Harvard Street
Grades: 6-8 Girls Only
Cost: Free
Contact: 617.349.6588 x422 (office), 857.266.7960 (cell), [email protected]
Register: By 2/27; tutoringplus.org/enrichment-programs/gender-programs/
Launch Trampoline Park: Middle School Activities Club
(see flyer)
When: Friday, Feb 17th
Where: Pleasant St., Watertown
Grades: 6-8
Cost: $25
Contact: Patricia Bradshaw, [email protected], 617.498.1289
Register: By 2/15 at local Youth Centers
FEBRUARY VACATION PROGRAMS
Sports Lab: Shoe Dog (see flyer)
When: Feb 21- 23
Where: STEAMroom at TERC, 2067 Mass Ave, Cambridge
Grades: 6th-8th grade
Cost: STUDENTS RECEIVE $80 GIFT CARD
Register: http://tinyurl.com/SL2020
Maud Morgan Arts: Design a Play Structure (see flyer)
When: Feb 21- 24
Where: 20A Sacramento St., Cambridge
Time: 11AM to 5:30PM
Grades: 6-9
Cost: $315 + $35 for materials
Contact: 617.349.6287
Get a Clue: CSI Week (see flyer)
When: Feb 21 - 24
Where: Whitehead Institute, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge
Time: 9AM - 3PM
Grades: 6-8
Cost: $475 (tuition assistance avail.)
Registration: http://wi.mit.edu/programs/forensics/registration
Contact: Amy Tremblay, [email protected]
Follow the Cambridge Middle School Network (MSN)!
Stay updated on what's happening for middler schoolers in Cambridge. Find @CambridgeMSN on Facebook and Instagram! Be sure to sign up (via Facebook) to get the MSN monthly e-newsletter, too. View the MSN Out-of-School Time Opportunities Resource Guide >>
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