Greetings from Julie Craven
Dear RAUC Families,
It is always fun to welcome students back to school after vacation. There is a lot of happy buzz as they reconnect with their peers and teachers. I also saw active reengagement as I dropped into classes, whether it was puzzling out the meaning of “totalitarian” in preparation for text-discussion, simplifying algebraic equations, or identifying effective persuasive techniques at the launch of an editorial writing unit. Teachers were ready and students were digging in!
Next week we begin our Spring Learning Partners Conferences. We chose this time mid-way into the third quarter to give families, teachers, and students a chance to check in on progress since the semester reports. Is learning happening as all hope it should be? If there were concerns at the semester, do we see positive shifts? If not, what are the important next steps to take? Please make sure to sign up for a conference. Teachers value connecting with you, and meeting together helps everyone work in partnership in support of your student’s learning. You can find information on signups in this newsletter.
In partnership,
Julie Craven, Head of School
IMPORTANT: Tonight’s Courageous Conversations POSTPONED
Our facilitator was not able to make it to Boston due to inclement weather in her home town. Apologies for the short notice. Please stay tuned for possible make up dates. March 19 will be the next regularly scheduled conversation.
Make Sure to Sign up for
Spring Conferences
Spring Learning Partners Conferences start next week.
Sign up @ https://cloud.ptcscheduler.com/rau/. Please reach out to Family Partnership Coordinator Taraneh Ahmadi (617.349.4060 x2041; [email protected]) or RAUC Clerk Linette Maloney (617.349.4060; [email protected]) if you do not have online access and need help signing up.
Conference dates:
- 8th grade: Tuesday, March 5 (daytime);
Wednesday, March 6 (evening)
- 7th grade: Wednesday, March 6 (evening);
Thursday, March 7 (daytime)
- 6th grade: Wednesday, March 6 (evening);
Thursday, March 14 (daytime)
- Specials: Wednesday, March 6 (evening);
Friday, March 8 (morning)
GSA is Sponsoring a Movie Night
On March, 8th, RAUC’s GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliance) will be holding a showing of the movie Love, Simon starting at 6:00 pm in the auditorium. Love, Simon is based on the book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. The main character is a high school student named Simon, who is currently in the closet. He gets blackmailed by a classmate, who has found out about his secret. We are showing this movie to gain acceptance for queer students in our school community and to raise awareness of the GSA.
RAUC students and their families are all invited, as we hope the movie will start discussions. As the movie is rated PG-13, all students under the age of 13 must have a signed permission slip or be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Viewing the movie is free, but there will be concessions and home-baked goods for sale at the event. All proceeds will go to the school GSA.
Unity Assembly with Black History
Month Theme
At the end of each marking period, a RAUC tradition is to gather in the auditorium to have fun together as a learning community in celebration of another term of hard work. In addition to student hosts and performances, teachers also present awards to students who have stood out in the past term. On the Friday before break we added a particular focus-- teachers chose an African American of note in their field, created a slide presenting the person and their accomplishment, then gave awards to students who embody those figures. It was a joyful way to end the day before vacation. You can check out the slide show to see the figures teachers highlighted.
Camp Night at CRLS
Next Wednesday night (March 6th) at 6:30PM, Summer Programs from the city will come together for Camp Night at CRLS - an event that has traditionally been more for K-5 childcare programs and camps, but now has a robust number of middle school providers there for families to meet and ask questions. They also give out brand new copies of the 2019 Summer Resource Guide to every family of a middle-schooler who attends, and can help problem solve with families looking for something specific or worried about cost, timelines, etc. This is the best one-stop-shop to meet providers for youth centers, internships, and all kinds of not-just-for-little-kid summer camps. Read more in the flyer.
Fuel Assistance Program
We may be a month away from spring but don’t expect to be done with heating your homes just yet! The weather is still cold and if you are a resident of Cambridge or Somerville, you could still apply to receive assistance with your primary heating costs. The Fuel Assistance Program is run by the City of Cambridge’s Department of Human Service Programs and is accepting applications until April 30th, 2019. Apply at the 51 Inman Street basement office or call 617.349.6252 for questions. View Flyer >>
Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, Cambridge’s Community Development Department is recognizing African American pioneers who helped make our cities what they are today through leadership, advocacy, and invention. Learn more about some of the figures throughout American history who made significant contributions to urban development and how their legacies live on through CDD's initiatives. Check out this list here! The Office of Mayor Marc C. McGovern is also hosting an Open Mic Night on Thursday, Feb. 28, 6-8 PM. Community members are invited to contribute through song, dance, spoken word, poetry readings, photography, and other art forms, or simply participate as an audience member. All are welcome! To submit audio and visual art forms, please contact Luis Vasquez, [email protected].
RAUC Lost and Found
Our ‘Lost and Found’ closet at the RAUC office has filled up to capacity and before we donate them all, we would like to give students a chance to come by and look through for anything they may have lost. They can come straight to the office and ask to take a look. Items will be donated at the end of this week so please let your students know to come by.
A Note of Thanks!
Thank you to the families that sent in snacks for our student snack pantry. These are much needed and help students who are hungry remain focussed during class and prevent disruptions for the teachers. We will never have too many snacks so if you want to contribute please reach out to Family Partnership Coordinator Taraneh Ahmadi.
7th Grade Learning Previews 2/26/19
Read more >>
Out of School Opportunities
*All flyers and registration forms are available at RAUC. Students or families can contact Justin McNulty: [email protected]
North Cambridge Little League Baseball Registration
(see flyer)
When: Saturday, March 2 | 1:00PM
Where: Peabody Gym, 70 Rindge Ave
Ages: 7-12
Information: www.nclbl.org
Contact: Becky Harmon: [email protected]
Kellie DeJon: [email protected]
Agassiz Baldwin Community Outback SUMMER CIT JOB
(see forms attached)
When: 4 two-week sessions: July 1 - August 23
Where: 20 Sacramento Street - Cambridge, MA 02138
Grades: 6-8
Pay: $75 Stipend
Contact: Email [email protected].
Phone: 617.349.6287
Registration: Opens March 1, Due by April 12, 2019
http://agassiz.org/childrens-programs/outback-counselor-in-training/
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.
Upcoming School Committee Meeting
All meetings are open to the public. Public comment welcome.
Public Hearing on the Proposed 2019-20 CPS Budget
Tuesday, March 19 | 6PM
School Committee Meeting Room at CRLS
The purpose of a Public Hearing is inviting input from the public regarding the budget.
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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