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Update from Rindge Avenue Upper School | May 29, 2019
Published on May 29, 2019 12:17
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Greetings from Julie Craven
Dear RAUC Families,
I hope your long weekend was lovely. The weather was perfect for cook outs as well as for remembering with gratitude those who died in service of their country. And now we head into the final stretch before summer break. There are many events happening--please note the dates in this newsletter for your calendars.
I also want to use this newsletter to provide an overview of equity work going on at school. I was prompted to do so by a news event from last Friday.
You have most likely heard of the incident involving a group of black and brown Boston middle school students on a field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts. They experienced racism and were made to feel unwelcome at the museum. For those of us who are white and work with black and brown students, this incident was a reminder of the exhaustion of living never knowing when you will be unsafe. Our students, families and educators of color don't need that reminder. We are a community and a community proactively checks in with each other and doesn’t just wait until we hear someone is upset about something. In that spirit, avisory teachers have checked in to see what students had or had not heard about this event. They used the SHARE protocol that we have used before when processing events. I am attaching it here as you may find it a useful tool.
This kind of check in is part of our effort to meet one of our School Improvement Plan goals: “to deepen our capacity as culturally proficient educators and as a culturally responsive institution in order to better meet the needs of our diverse student population.” Feedback from families and School Council has helped me see that families are not aware of all we are doing to move ourselves forward. While I can’t capture the many layers of our work in one newsletter, I can give you an overview: For two years now, we have used readings, videos, and structured conversations to explore concepts such as equity, micro and macro aggressions, and the “4 i’s of racism and oppression”--individual, interpersonal, institutional, and ideological. This year our work was guided by two outside facilitators, Dr. Darnisa Amante of Disruptive Equity Education Project, and Gene Thompson-Groves of School Reform Initiative. Some of the most powerful and productive conversations happened at our two most recent staff meetings when we read and discussed case studies from the book, Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice in Education by Paul C. Gorski and Seema G. Pothini. A few examples are attached.
Moving forward, I will provide periodic updates on this important and ongoing work. Updates will also include invitations for ways that families can be part of planning the direction of our efforts. Please reach out to me or Family Partnership Coordinator Taraneh Ahmadi at any point if you have questions or concerns. Your partnership helps us grow.
Best,
Julie Craven, Head of School
RAUC Runners Rule!
On May 21st, the RAUC Polar Bear Running Club (who have been running through the winter and spring seasons in preparation) beat Putnam Avenue Upper School in a competitive track meet at Danehy Park! All runners improved and most ran a PR (Personal Record). Additionally, four runners met the qualifying times for the Massachusetts Middle School Track and Field State Championships and will compete on June 1st in Clinton, MA! 8th graders, Tanmay Ashar and Victor Delaney-Sire will compete in the 400-meter dash, Ellie Harmon will run the 1 mile, and Yunus Yildrium will race in the 200-meter dash!
Book Fair Volunteers Still Needed!
On Thurs., we will set up our second annual Summer Reading Book Fair, this year as a full PreK-8 fair in the Peabody-RAUC Library! Fantastic Book Fairs, an independent company, will run the fair again this year, so expect the same excellent selection of current titles. The fair will be open May 31-June 6. You can also shop online at Rindge.fantasticbookfairs.com.
If you're able, we would LOVE your help -- especially during RAUC recess (12:30-1:15PM).
Sign up for your slot(s) here.
Contact library teacher Sam Musher, [email protected], with any questions.
End of Year Trips & Events
Please make sure to get permission slips and money in for grade level events. Your student can get another form from their advisor if needed.
6th grade - June 13 - Kimball Farm trip
7th grade - June 14 - Canobie Lake trip
8th grade caps and gowns - $20 (or what you can afford; we also have caps and gowns from the previous year--your student can just let Ms. Linette know)
7th Grade Learning Previews
See what our students are going to be studying this month in 7th grade! Read more >>
In Our Community and District
2nd Annual Reader Prom
June 15 | 7:30PM | Dilboy VFW, Davis Square
The Porter Square Books Foundation, who brought George O’Connor and Jerry Craft to speak to the students of the Cambridge Schools this year, is hosting their 2nd Annual Reader Prom. All the proceeds will go to the Foundation and will help us bring more events and books to the students of Cambridge. Dress up in your finest prom fashion and bring a copy of your favorite book as your date to donate to a local nonprofit. (It’s the only prom where you’re supposed to dump your date right away!) There will be free snacks and soft drinks, a cash bar, music, dancing, “after-prom” style games and activities, and, of course, “chaperones.” You’ll also be able to get a formal prom picture with your “date” from and a bookish corsage.
Tickets and more information >>
Have You Seen These Bus Ads?
The Cambridge Public Health Department launched a bus ad campaign at the beginning of May & wants to hear from you! Please take their 2-minute survey to provide input on their ad.
Survey >>
Recycling & Composting
Here are some handy reminders!
Learn more >>
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 >>
MSN Summer Resource Guide
Get a jump start on your summer plans. Check it out!
Visit the website >>
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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END-OF-YEAR EVENTS
See full RAUC calendar >>
8th Grade Portfolio Panels: Wednesday, May 29 - Thursday June 6 (by signup)
RAUC Musical--Feast: Thursday, May 30 and Friday May 31 at 7PM
School Advisory Council Meeting: Monday, June 4 at 7:30 AM
NO SCHOOL: Wednesday, June 5 – Eid al-Fitr
6th & 7th Grade Portfolio Potluck Breakfast: Friday, June 7, 9-10AM. Come see your student’s work. Bring food or drink to share if you are able.
8th Grade to see Nine Who Dared performance (interactive theater event based on the Little Rock Nine): Friday, June 7, 9AM-12:30PM at CRLS
After school bake sale: Friday, June 7 – sponsored by Environment Club to benefit World Wildlife Fund
Whole School Fun Day: Monday, June 10 from 12:30 - 2:55PM in the fields
8th Grade DC Trip: Tuesday, June 11 - Friday, June 14th
6th Grade community trip to Kimball Farm: Thurs., June 13 all day
7th Grade community trip to Canobie Lake: Friday, June 14 all day
8th Grade Graduation: Monday, June 17 at 1PM (8th graders released by 10:30AM after rehearsals) – Early release day for ALL students at 12:55PM
LAST DAY of SCHOOL: Early release – Tuesday, June 18 at 12:55PM
LAST DAY OF CLUBS
Thursday, May 30
After school clubs and late buses end this Thursday. Please plan accordingly.
UPCOMING BAKE SALE
Friday, June 7
The RAUC Environment Club is having a bake sale! It is on Friday, June 7 right after school outside of the main entrance. Everything is $1. There will be muffins, cupcakes, cookies, and more! ALL PROFITS WILL BE DONATED TO THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WWF). We hope you will buy something!
DHSP SCHOOL YEAR RESOURCE GUIDE
The 2018-2019 DHSP School Year Resource Guide contains information about programs and services offered by the Department of Human Service Programs and other community organizations throughout the school year.
Details >>
HEALTHY SNACK OF THE WEEK
Here's Cambridge in Motion's Healthy Snack of the week suggestion:
mixed nuts with dates!
MOBILE APP
Stay informed via our FREE mobile app!
Details >>
FIND IT
Looking for things to do in Cambridge? Take a peek at Find It Cambridge!
www.finditcambridge.org
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
School Calendar
District Calendar
RINDGE AVENUE
UPPER SCHOOL
70 Rindge Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02140
617.349.4060
School's Website
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