Greetings from Julie Craven
Dear RAUC Families,
This weekend I was sorting through papers, trying to add some organization to my life. I came across a collection of thank you notes from former students and families. I admit I had some tears, moved that they had taken the time to appreciate and name specific ways that I had helped students grow academically and as people. Wednesday is our annual Staff Appreciation luncheon. You will find in this newsletter information on how to contribute food or drinks. I also want to encourage you and your student to think about writing a personal thank you to teachers. I can speak from the heart when I say that educators value these notes, which carry their warmth long after they are given.
I also want to remind you about our upcoming portfolio events and let you know the ways you can partner with us in supporting this exciting work. Portfolios are collections of work that students themselves have chosen to tell the story of their own learning to their teachers, families, and community. They are a chance for students to take control of how they are seen as learners as well as to develop the important skill of presenting themselves to an audience that will help them in interviews for college and careers.
Students are already deep into the work of selecting pieces and reflecting on them. You will see these results when you come to your 8th graders portfolio panel presentation or the 6th and 7th grade portfolio breakfast on June 7th (more information on these later in the newsletter). You can support this work now by asking your student: How is the selection process going? Is it hard to choose pieces? What are you learning as you reflect on your work? What are you thinking you want to put into your introduction letter? The conversations you have with your student will help send the message that portfolios matter to all of us.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership.
Julie Craven, Head of School
ABOVE: Check out the amazing student artwork lining our hallways! Hear more about it in the Specials Learning Previews below.
Portfolio Events: Mark Your Calendars
6th and 7th grade families: Please mark your calendars
for our first ever portfolio breakfast on Friday, June 7th
9-10AM in advisories.
- You will have a chance to circulate, review portfolios, and ask students questions--both your own student as well as their classmates.
- NOTE: we originally had an evening event scheduled as well but realized in our planning process that one morning event made the most sense in our pilot year. It ensures every student presents their portfolio.
- As the date approaches, we will send out more information, including how to access and comment on your student’s portfolio if you are unable to make this event.
8th Grade Passage Portfolio Panels:
- ALL 8th grade families should be signing up for ONE 30 minute portfolio presentation at this link: https://secure1.cpsd.us/rauc_scheduler/index.php
- Only sign up once according to your student’s advisory teacher. Portfolio panels are different than Learning Partners Conferences where the teacher is sharing information about the student.
- Each portfolio panel is led by the student who has chosen work and reflected on it to tell the story of their own learning to their listeners. Panels are also interactive-- the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback as well.
- You are welcome to bring additional family members to your student’s presentation.
- Please reach out to your student’s advisory teacher or Ms. Ahmadi ([email protected] or 617.349.4060 x2041) if you need help signing up.
Debate Club Brings Home the Prizes!
Amazing job by our RAUC Debate team at its final tournament on Saturday at CRLS!
We scored first and second place best debate team for the first year of this Cambridge Debate team tournament. Shout out to all the students for their hard work throughout, for the Tufts students who mentored them, and to Marilyn Rottersman for orchestrating it all with such positive energy. Please consider signing up for next year's debate team as a lot of our debaters are moving on to High School!
Last Courageous Conversations
Coming Up!
All are welcome to join us for this last session (even if you have missed previous sessions) on Tuesday, May 28. We will brainstorm and plan personal micro actions we can each take that will start to show a shift, and one large, measurable action we can all work on going forward. Event starts with dinner at 5:30 PM and discussion from 6 to 8PM. Childcare provided but please let the organizers know if you will require it. Questions? [email protected].
Beatriz Motto Honored
Ms. Motto, our 7th grade Social Studies teacher, was awarded the Richard Aieta Award for Promising New Teacher by the Massachusetts Council for Social Studies. In his introduction, her mentor, former MCSS award recipient and current CRLS History teacher Kevin Dua celebrated her passion for supporting her students and her commitment to helping them be engaged citizens. RAUC-on Beatriz!
Staff Appreciation Lunch is Tomorrow: You Can Still Help!
Tomorrow, May 15th, Friends of RAUC will host a Staff Appreciation Luncheon in the library from 12:30-1:15PM. It is not too late to support this event. Feel free to bring a dish (with labelled ingredients). Last year was amazing. Let’s do it again!
Any questions? Please contact Karen Soroca ([email protected]). Please sign up and thank you for your help with this fun annual event!
Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4fa4a828a57-rauc
Scratch Night: Thursday, May 16
Join CPS families for Scratch Night - an evening of playing, making, and sharing with Scratch! Created at MIT, Scratch (http://scratch.mit.edu) is a free computer programming language that you can use to create stories, animations, and games. Scratch is available in over 50 languages! All students in Grades K-12 are welcome to attend, including beginners and experienced Scratchers alike. Please note students under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult during the event.
Pizza will be served! We look forward to seeing you in
the Main Cafeteria at CRLS on Thursday night between
5:30-7:30PM! Questions? Please email Jen Lavalle (Morse and G&P Instructional Technology Specialist) at [email protected]. See flyer here for more details.
RAUC Students Join Mr. DeWitte Singing in Puerto Rico
Cambridge Children’s Chorus is on a good will tour to Puerto Rico, and RAUC students are well represented in the group of 44 students. Mr. DeWitte shared the powerful experience that the group had on Saturday when they sang a concert of solidarity and hope for an audience in San Juan. People came up to him in appreciation for the message the students gave of being inspired by the resiliency of Puerto Ricans since the hurricane. Shout out to Mr. DeWitte and all the group for using the power of music and voice in such powerful ways.
Understanding the Forces Shaping the Asian American Youth Experience
May has been declared as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (APAHM) and in keeping with that spirit, Cambridge Street Upper School (CSUS) invites you to join them on May 16 from 6-8PM for a talk with Dr. Karen Shih. Dr. Shih is the Assistant Dean of Intercultural Education and Advisor to Students of Asian Descent at Wellesley College. The Asian student population in CPSD hovers around 12%. Their cultural needs are not always addressed directly in conversations about diversity in our schools. Dr. Shih's insights will support our continued efforts to be culturally responsive to all students. View Flyer>>
We encourage you to join the talk and remind you that if plan to attend please RSVP to this link so that CSUS may plan accordingly: https://tinyurl.com/may16dialogue
MCAS Update
- 7th grade math MCAS Tuesday and Thursday this week (no testing on our Wednesday early release day).
- Math make up tests Friday.
- 8th grade Science, Technology, and Engineering Tuesday 5/21 and Wednesday 5/22
Specials Learning Previews
See what our students are going to be studying this month in Specials! Read more >>
Take the Cambridge Health Survey!
What are your family’s top health, environmental, and social justice concerns? Your views matter to the Cambridge Public Health Department! Please take the 10-minute Cambridge Health Survey. The survey is available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish. Your input is anonymous.
In Our Community and District
Scratch Night @ CPS!
May 16 | 5:30-7:30PM
CRLS, 459 Broadway
All CPS students and families are invited!
Details >>
Family Bike Night at the Collins Branch
Thursday, May 16 | 4 - 7PM
Collins Branch Library, 64 Aberdeen Ave
Join us to learn the basics of riding with families and fixing your bike at this drop in session! Need something quick fixed on your bike, or maybe just a safety tune-up to getting you riding comfortably this season? We'll have 15 minute safety tune-ups, too! Register for bike workshops by emailing us.
Visit us online >>
CRLS Spring Concert
May 17 | 7PM
Fitzgerald Theatre, CRLS
Details >>
2nd Annual Cambridge Community Iftar
May 22 | 7PM
Cambridge City Hall, 795 Mass Ave.
Councillor Sumbul Siddiqui, Mayor Marc McGovern, and the Cambridge Employee Diversity Committee invite you to the 2nd Annual Cambridge Community Iftar in celebration of the month of Ramadan. The Iftar is the daily sunset meal to break the day’s fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and one observed as holy by those of Muslim faith worldwide. Ramadan began this year on May 5th and will end on the evening of June 4th, 2019.
Flyer >>
Details >>
Annual Media Fair
After School Student Produced Media
May 22 | 5PM
Media Arts Studio, 454 Broadway
Details >>
Boys to Men Leadership Brunch
Saturday, June 1 | 12-2PM
Putnam Avenue Upper School, 100 Putnam Ave.
Flyer >>
Register (FREE!) >>
CPS Summer Math & ELA Programs
Hear all about our summer programs for students entering grades 6-8!
Details >>
Community Discussion Series: How to Talk with Young
People About Substance Abuse
Various Dates & Locations | 6:15 - 7:30PM
Be a prepared caregiver and mentor: Learn about the strength of our teens! Join Cambridge Youth Programs and the Cambridge Public Health Department for a night of learning and discussion. Open to all Cambridge caregivers, role models, and families with young people, especially teens.
View the flyer >>
MSN Summer Resource Guide
Get a jump start on your summer plans. Check it out!
Visit the website >>
CitySprouts Summer Youth Internship at the Cambridge Upper Schools
July 2 - August 9
Monday through Friday | 9AM - 1PM
All 11 - 14 year olds are eligible. There is no cost for the internship program. Have fun gardening, cooking, science activities and learning about the environment. Students who complete the program will receive a $150 stipend (must be available for the entire 6 weeks). Applications have been sent home with students. They are due on May 3. If you have any questions, please call 617.876-2436 or email us.
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 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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