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Greetings from Julie Craven
Dear RAUC Families,
February break is almost here. We wish everyone a safe and happy week off from school! As a way to launch into break with a positive community feel, we will follow a “unity schedule” this Friday. That means that instead of having Aim High, we ask students to sign up for a last-period activity of choice that includes board games, drawing/reading, sports in the gym, karaoke, or scratch (computer programming). Sometimes we seek unity through a whole school assembly, sometimes we look for it in smaller ways such as this, where students choose to spend time with others who have a similar interest, because when we have connections in small ways, that helps strengthen us as a large group. These unity day activities are a relaxed way to head into vacation on a positive note.
In partnership,
Julie Craven, Head of School
Mark Your Calendars for Spring Learning Partners Conferences!
Face to face time with each family is very important to us. The first newsletter after February break will have information on how to sign up for meetings with your student’s teachers. In the meantime, please note the dates of the conferences for different grade levels and specials.
7th grade: Tue. 3/10 (8AM-3:50PM); Wed. 3/11 (5:30-8PM)
6th grade: Wed. 3/11 (5:30-8PM); Thurs. 3/12 (8AM-3:50PM)
Specials: Wed. 3/11 (5:30-8PM); Fri. 3/13 (8-8:40AM)
NOTE: 8th grade families will sign up in May for 30-minute portfolio presentations, in which students share the story of their learning as a way to wrap up their time at RAUC. More information will follow as the date approaches.
Social-Emotional Tip of the Week
Help cultivate empathy with your student by practicing self-care for yourself. Whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book, or doing breathing exercises, show your child how you try to avoid being overwhelmed by everyday stressors in your life. Try to help them come up with their own ideas to de-stress.
If you have any stories of how you have used one of our SEL tips with your own child, please share them with Maggie MacLennan, Ms. Boadu’s intern, at [email protected]!
Attention 6th Grade Families: MA Children’s Book Award
Voting is open for this year’s Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (MCBA)! All MA students in grades 4-6 may vote, so long as they’ve read at least 5 books from the list.
And if they haven’t yet, the MCBA is a great way to choose your student’s next favorite book! Votes aren’t due until March 13, so they still have a month to read. If your 6th grader is ready to vote, they should fill out this form.
Attention 7th Grade Families: Drug Screening
You should have received communication from Guidance Counselor Shanika Boadu regarding our annual state-mandated 7th grade drug screening that will happen Tuesday February 25 and Wednesday February 26. This is a VERBAL drug screening, which means that students will have a conversation with their designated screener regarding their interactions with drugs and alcohol. Either Ms. Boadu, Mr. McNulty (Health teacher), or Ms. Anita (School Nurse) will conduct the screening. Mr. McNulty and Ms. Boadu will go into the 7th grade advisory classrooms to share with students what they can expect during the screening.
An opt out form is attached if you do not wish for your student to be screened. Feel free to email or call Ms. Boadu with any additional questions. ([email protected] | 617.349.4060 Ext. 2194)
Attention 8th Grade Families: Field Trips
Reminder that the second of two exciting theater field trips happens tomorrow--pack your student a lunch if they are not getting a bag lunch from the cafeteria.
Today (Tuesday) 8th graders went to CRLS to watch "Nine Who Dared" -- an interactive theater on the decisions connected to the Little Rock Nine. The district History/Social Science Department organizes this powerful theater experience for all 8th graders in the city as part of the 8th grade civics course.
On Wednesday, 8th graders will go see "Gloria: A Life" at the American Repertory Theater. This new play about Gloria Steinem and the women she has partnered with in a decades-long fight for equality is brought to life by a dynamic ensemble of performers. We are grateful to benefit from the free tickets the ART makes available to student audiences. Students will travel by T, leaving at 9AM and returning around 2PM. They should bring a T pass or $2.00 for the subway fare. (Have your student let a teacher or someone in the office know if they need T fare.)
We Really Want to Hear from You About How We Are Doing!
Please fill out the 2020 Family Survey! It is a district survey, but RAUC gets to look at the answers about our school. Your feedback will contribute to our ongoing efforts to learn, improve, and support better outcomes for all students.
You can give us your feedback in a number of ways:
- To fill out the survey online or for more information about the Family Survey, please visit Family Survey website.
- If you need help filling out the survey or would like a paper survey, please contact Family Partnership Coordinator Julia Ho ([email protected] | 617.349.4060 Ext. 2041).
- OR - Share your experiences with the Cambridge Public Schools over a light dinner and fill out the 2020 Family Survey with support near your own home:
-Friday, February 28 (drop in anytime between 5:30 and 8PM) at 362 Rindge Avenue - Community Room
-Friday, March 6 (drop in anytime between 5:30 and 8PM) at 808 Memorial - Community Room
-For more information, see attached flyer.
Courageous Conversations Coming this Spring
SAVE THE DATES to continue the work our RAUC/Peabody/Baldwin triad community started in the fall with the Building Equity Bridges projects. All dates are Tuesdays, all include 30 minutes for dinner followed by 2 hrs facilitated conversation. Agenda details will follow, but the goal is to engage in conversations that help us tackle barriers to equity.
Session #1: March 3, 5:30-8PM at Peabody/RAUC
Session #2: April 7, 5:30-8PM at Baldwin School
Session #3: May 12, 5:30-8PM at Peabody/RAUC
Coronavirus: Education and Respect
As the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus continues to make headlines, for various reasons, you and your family may have concerns or questions. You may have questions or fears about transmission. You may have concerns about anti-East Asian sentiment and behavior. At RAUC, we are actively trying to address concerns by providing reliable information about the disease, providing safe spaces to discuss how this is affecting our community, and confronting misinformation and hurtful attitudes or behavior. We encourage you to join us in providing reliable information and addressing any hurtful attitudes or behavior in your homes.
For more information about the novel Coronavirus and an example of what we are teaching students, please see attached slides or visit the Centers for Disease Control website.
7th Grade Learning Previews
See what's happening in our 7th grade classrooms!
Learn more >>
Out of School Opportunities
All flyers and registration forms are available at the RAUC Out of School Time (OST) Board or by contacting Mr. McNulty @ [email protected].
East Cambridge Little League Baseball (see flyer)
When: Saturday, March 14
Where: Frisoli Youth Center, 61 Willow Street
Time: 10AM
Ages: 4-12
Cost: Varies by age
Contact: www.eclbl.com
Lemelson-MIT Invention Convention (see flyer)
When: April 25
Where: FMA, 225 Windsor Street
Time: 3:30-5:30PM
Grades: K-8
Cost: Free
Contact: lemelson.mit.edu/events
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