MCAS Preview
This month, we are looking ahead to the beginning of MCAS. Teachers have been working hard to ensure that students are prepared by teaching a rigorous curriculum aligned to the Massachusetts state standards. Teachers consistently reflect on student work in order to adjust instruction to meet the needs of all students. Over the next several weeks teachers will incorporate MCAS-style questions into lessons and teach test-taking strategies.
Our MCAS schedule is as follows:
What is the MCAS?
The MCAS is a standardized test that assesses our progress as a school toward the state standards. All middle school students take the MCAS in English and Math, and 8th graders will also take a Science MCAS. This provides an important measure of our students’ growth. However, please know that this is not the only measurement of students’ skills and abilities. The score report will not affect a student’s success in classes or promotion for the following year.
In each area, MCAS scores are reported in the
following categories:
- Exceeding Expectations
- Meeting Expectations
- Partially Meeting Expectations
- Not Meeting Expectations
How can you help?
- Please encourage your student to give their best effort during the test.
- Ask your student to share with you what they are learning in school.
- Continue to make sure that your child is reading each night and talk about the reading. (What is happening in your book? Is there a line or a part that stands out that you can read to me? What are your thoughts? And whenever possible, ask for evidence - how do you know? Can you find a part in the book that shows that?)
- Encourage your child to get a good night’s sleep the day before testing and to eat a full and healthy breakfast on the morning of testing to ensure that they are at their best.
- Remind your student to think positively and stay calm. MCAS at this point is one piece of information on how they are doing in relation to state standards. Their scores do not count for a grade. Their teachers will use their scores to help plan for how to teach them better next year.
Thursday is 6th Grade Learning
Partners Conferences
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.
GSA Movie Night a Success!
On Friday night, the GSA (Genders & Sexualities Alliance) hosted a showing of Love, Simon for about 40 students and family members. GSA members introduced the movie by talking about how much it meant to them to see a gay love story on the big screen. The club raised $125 selling concessions, most of which will be donated to Y2Y Shelter in Harvard Square, which serves many queer youth. Queer youth disproportionately face homelessness; according to a 2012 survey, 40% of homeless young people served by agencies are LGBT (National Coalition for the Homeless).
8th Grade Course Selections for CRLS
RAUC students are scheduled to register for their 9th grade classes on Friday, March 22nd. CRLS 9th grade guidance counselors, Daniel Hikes and RalphJordan Roldan, will be here to support the process. You should have received an email from Ms. Boadu with a list of the course options for 9th grade students. For a more detailed description of what is covered in each class, please reference the 2019-2020 CRLS course catalog (View Course Catalog). Please note that the course catalog includes the wide range of courses available to students over the course of their time at CRLS. All of these courses are NOT available to first year students. If you have any additional questions or have difficulty accessing any of the attached documents or links please feel free to reach out to RAUC Guidance Counselor Ms. Boadu (617.349.4060 Ext. 2194; [email protected])
Note on 8th Grade  Graduation
Please know that dates are chosen in conjunction with the district, often not until late April. We promise we will let you know as soon as we have a date!
RAUC 7th Graders Show their Maturity
On February 26th and 27th, 7th grade students participated in the state mandated SBIRT Drug Screening. SBIRT is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, abuse, and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs. This screening was conducted confidentially and privately with an approved school based screener. At RAUC, the approved screeners are Anita Barandao (School Nurse), Justin McNulty (Health Educator), and Shanika Boadu (Guidance Counselor). Screenings range in time from 4-10 minutes depending on student responses to the screening questions. The results were very encouraging--no students were identified as at risk as a result of this process, and indeed, overall our students were able to engage in meaningful dialogue with their screeners.
We wanted to share with you the results so we can continue to work in partnership supporting students in making healthy and safe choices around alcohol and drug use. When asked what has prevented them from engaging in unsafe behaviors around drug and alcohol use, students were thoughtful and articulate. Five themes emerged: conversations with their families have been helpful in keeping them safe; lessons in health class have given them insight into the impact of drugs and alcohol on their bodies; personal experiences with addiction in their families have made them more knowledgeable about what drugs and alcohol can do; the desire to keep their bodies healthy for sports and academic involvement is a protective factor; and religious beliefs and faith helped them make safe choices.
We will continue to support students in developing their capacity to be safe through health classes and other teachable moments. We encourage you to continue what you are doing--clearly it is having an impact. For more information about SBIRT in schools please click here.
Panorama Survey Coming Soon!
The annual survey helps the district hear concrete and actionable feedback from families, and to set goals for strengthening the partnerships between schools, students, and families. As a key Outcome Measure for our District Plan, the survey is conducted annually, providing crucial data that supports our growth as a learning organization. An email containing a link to the survey will be sent out by the district soon. Please note: If you completed a survey when you came in for a Learning Partner Conference, you do NOT need to complete the survey sent via email. The survey we handed to you at the conferences is the Panorama Survey in paper format.
Parent Speaker Series: Smartphones and Social Media: Hear the Real Deal, from Students Themselves
On Friday, March 29, from 6 to 8 PM in room 211, RAUC will be hosting the last speaker series for this academic year. The talk is held at the same time as the Spring Dance event for RAUC students so parents are encouraged to drop off their students and head upstairs for a potluck dinner and enlightening talk. A panel of recent RAUC graduates, moderated by Sam Musher, (RAUC’s Library/Technology Specialist) will give parents a chance to hear from current high school students about the good and the bad of digital life in middle school. You’ll engage with the panel and leave with a deeper understanding of the role of phones and social media in middle schoolers' lives. Take away suggestions for appropriate policies to implement at home and conversation starters for positive discussions with your child. The event is open to anyone interested. RSVPs are helpful but not required. View the flyer >>
Specials Learning Previews 3/12/19
Read more >>
Out of School Opportunities
North Cambridge Little League Baseball Tryouts (see flyer)
When: Tuesday, March 26
Where: Peabody Gym, 70 Rindge Ave
Time: 6:00PM
Ages: 7-12
Cost: $80 scholarships available
Contact: www.nclbl.org | [email protected]
Cambridge Girls Youth Lacrosse Free Clinic (see flyer)
When: Monday, April 15
Where: Danehy Park, Cambridge
Time: 9:30-11:00AM
Ages: All
Cost: Free
Contact: www.Cambridgeyouthlacrosse.org
Girl’s Media (see flyer)
When: Fridays, March 15-May 15
Where: Fletcher Maynard Academy, 3rd Floor
Time: 5-7PM
Grades: 6th-8th Girls
Contact: http://tutoringplus.org/enroll/ 617.349.6588 x422 [email protected]
Real Talk (see flyer)
When: Mondays, 3/25, 4/29 and 5/20
Where: Cambridge Street Upper School
Time: 5:30pm-7:00PM
Grades: 6th-8th Boys
Contact: [email protected]
Poetry Event at Lesley University (see flyer)
When: Monday, April 8
Where: University Hall Amphitheater, 1825 Mass. Ave, Cambridge
Time: 4:30-5:30PM
Cost: Free
Ages: All
Contact: Martha McKenna [email protected]
The Strauch-Mosse Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Richard Blanco (see flyer)
When: Monday, April 8
Where: Washburn Auditorium, 10 Phillips Place, Cambridge, MA 02138
Time: 7:30-8:30PM
Cost: Free
Ages: All
Contact: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/richard-blanco-strauch-mosse-spring-2019-visiting-artist-lecture-series-tickets-56587959109
Agassiz Baldwin Community Outback SUMMER CIT JOB
When: 4 two-week sessions: July 1 to 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 1st, Due by April 12,2019
http://agassiz.org/childrens-programs/outback-counselor-in-training/
Student Application: http://tinyurl.com/y5mjy4cz
In Our Community and District
Free Markets
Check out any one of these FREE Markets that are held throughout the City of Cambridge. All you need is a grocery bag! View the flyer >>
Cambridge Winter Farmers Market
Saturdays through April 6 | 10AM-2PM
Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender Street
Learn more >>
See flyer >>
Upcoming School Committee Meeting
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. All meetings are open to the public. Public comment welcome.
CPS Summer Math & ELA Programs
Hear all about our summer programs for students entering grades 6-8!
Details >>
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]
Let's Connect!
Stay in the loop by joining our social media communities.
RAUC Facebook >>
District Social Media >>
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