Greetings from Julie Craven

Dear RAUC Families,

Here is a wish for a sweet year to those in our community who celebrate Rosh Hashanah. One of the joys of being in a diverse community is that we have the opportunity to reflect on the lessons and power of holidays and rituals that we may not celebrate ourselves. I have always appreciated the Jewish New Year focus on reflecting on and atoning for any wrongs one may have committed over the past year. Our core values push us to do the same!

We loved seeing all of you who could make it to Back to School Night. Please see later in the newsletter for more information and handouts.

Happy October!

Julie Craven, Head of School

Listening to your student with your full attention will help them practice active listening. Even if you don’t agree with what they are saying, respecting their opinion will help create an opportunity to demonstrate a meaningful interaction with good communication!

Mingle with friends at a fun party to benefit the 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC! Enjoy savory delicacies provided by Commonwealth Cambridge and desserts from Broadsheet Coffee Roasters as well as wine, beer and a silent auction. This event is hosted by Families of RAUC. All proceeds go directly to need-based scholarships to ensure that all students can attend the D.C. trip in 2020 and in future years. We hope you can make it!

Cheers,
Families of RAUC

Event Details:
Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 6-10PM
Ashdown House, MIT Campus, 235 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Order tickets at http://bit.ly/2mnkSGE

Back to School Night RAUC'ed!

Close to two hundred people representing over 150 families came to school last Thursday to connect with each other and the teachers. We appreciate your time and positive engagement. Thank you also for filling out the questionnaires--teachers are reviewing them to help them get to know students. Once we have had a chance to go through them all, we will let you know through the newsletter the themes we heard. For those of you who were not able to join us, below are links to handouts from the evening. Thank you for completing the questionnaire and sending it in to your student’s advisor so we can be sure to hear from you! For those who had hoped for more information on curriculum, please know that you can always find more in depth information on the district department websites.

6th Grade >> 
7th Grade >>
8th Grade >>
Specials Handouts >>
Articles on Middle School >>
Reading Suggestions >>
Family Questionnaire >>

What to Do if You or Your Student Feels Harassed or Discriminated Against?

We always want to hear if you or your student have any concerns over how you are being treated, by other students or teachers or other adults. Please reach out to whomever you feel most comfortable: the student’s advisor, guidance counselor Shanika Boadu ([email protected]), assistant principal Teresa Sanchez ([email protected]), family liaison Taraneh Ahmadi ([email protected]), or Head of School Julie Craven ([email protected]). Our approach is to investigate respectfully and thoroughly; our hope is to use any incident as a teachable moment so that all individuals recognize their own power and have an opportunity to repair any damage caused. Sometimes, we may develop a safety plan if the situation warrants. We do that in collaboration with the students and families involved. Most importantly, we prioritize ensuring all individuals feel safe and welcomed. We follow Cambridge Public School’s protocols on harassment and discrimination, which you can find attached.

6th Grade Community Trip to Blue Hills - Thursday, October 10

The sixth grade will spend the day hiking together to build community. Permission slips have been handed out. Please return them as soon as possible. It is always a fun trip! Permission slip link: http://bit.ly/2oFGizv

7th Grade Community Trip to Wachusett - Friday, October 11

7th graders are tackling a bigger mountain as their community building trip. Permission slips were handed out Tuesday morning. Please return them as soon as possible. Permission slip link: http://bit.ly/2oKYQi1

Honoring LatinX Heritage Month
September 15 - October 15

LatinX Heritage Month invites us to celebrate the achievements and important contributions Latinx people have made to history and culture.  The “X” in LatinX is a gender neutral term, which means it is not only for boys (latino) or girls (latina) but for everyone and everyone. Shout out to Gisel Saillant and Amy Gonzalez for creating the educational display that greets all of us as we reach the top of the stairs! 

*All flyers and registration forms are available at RAUC. Students or families can contact Justin McNulty: [email protected]

See flyers for the following opportunities >>

DBT: Mindfulness Skills (see flyer)
When: Wednesdays; Starting October 30th
Where: Riverside Outpatient Center, 5 Sacramento Street, Cambridge, MA
Time: 5–6PM
Ages: 11-14
Contact: 617.354.2275 x4625 or [email protected]

Middle School Activities Club: Screemfest (see flyer)
When: Friday October 11th
Where: Canobie Lake Park, Salem NH
Time: 4:30-11:30PM
Grades: 6-8
Cost: $31
Contact: pbradshaw@cambridgema

City Step for 6th Grade (see form)
When: Wednesdays, October 2nd- December 4th
Where: Harvard Dance Center, 66 Garden St., Cambridge
Time: 3:30-5PM
Grade: 6th only
Cost: Free
Contact: [email protected]

City Step for 7th Grade (see form)
When: Fridays, October 4th - December 6th
Where: Dance Complex, 536 Mass. Ave, Cambridge
Time: 3:30-5PM
Grade: 7th only
Cost: Free
Contact: [email protected]

RAUC Events & Announcements

In Our District & Community