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Greetings!
 Dear RAUC families,
Please click the image on the right for a video message from our Principal, Ms. Craven:
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by email or phone at 857.244.0730.
Best,
Julia Ho, RAUC Family Liaison
Updates on Literacy & STEM Classes
 Literacy Block:
Students have put in their choices for new classes – check out the the choices here or click on photo! Photo by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash
In our first five literacy block sessions, we practiced engaging in lively and meaningful discussion. We worked on reading with criticality, a reading lens that asks us to think about the power structures and inequities revealed by the texts and speeches we consume. We helped each other find great texts to read, establish independent reading routines, and rejoice in our reading.
Last week, students chose their classes for the next Literacy Block cycle. All choices build on the joy, criticality, skills, and reading practices of the first sessions, but each will have a unique twist. Where one class will focus on current events, another will be organized acting and drama, and others will be based on specific exciting books, topics, or genres.
We will try to place students in one of their top 3 choices. Your students will learn of their new classes on Wednesday, and these classes will start in the first week of December and will run for 8 weeks.
 STEM Block:
Students have put in their choices for new classes – check out the choices they had here or click on photo! Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash
These past few weeks, students had fun engaging in their STEM blocks. Some highlights include building towers, budgeting, working through the engineering process and seeing the connections between math and art.
Students chose their top STEM block classes for the next cycle last week. While each course has a different focus, the overarching goals for the blocks will be the same. The goals are to strengthen the math and science practice standards in a fun and collaborative environment and to keep students curious and engaged.
Your students will learn of their new classes on Wednesday, and these classes will start in the first week of December and will run for 8 weeks.
Grades
The quarter closes on November 20th. Please make sure your student has made up any missing work!
When can you expect a report card?
-- For those new to RAUC, students receive a progress report for the first quarter--this will give their projected grade.
-- They receive a report card at the end of each semester.
-- You can expect the 1st Quarter progress report to be available on Aspen the first week in December. We will notify you when it is ready.
Expanded Times for Pick Up of Library Books!
-- Books are now available for pick up in front of RAUC 8AM-6PM every day except Wednesdays.
-- We hope this will help families and students get the books they are excited to read!
-- As always, you or your student can reach out to Ms. Musher or their ELA teacher for book suggestions.
 Pick Up Days for Materials for Literacy & Stem Blocks
-- Some of the classes will ask you and your student to pick up a book or STEM supplies at RAUC.
-- Please note that pickup days will be 11/19 and 11/20 (more information to follow next week).
We’re Looking for Volunteers!
Supplies Distribution
We know that not all families will be able to pick up items at RAUC on our pick up days and that it’s easier for some families to get to other schools closer to them. We could use some help in distributing items at these other locations. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email Family Liaison Julia Ho.
Winter Clothes Packs
Thanks to many generous donations, our school district has many gently used clothes items to give out to families in need. Some volunteers will be organizing these items this Saturday, November 19th at The Spot. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email Family Liaison Julia Ho.
Family Partnership Update: November 4th RAUC Community Meeting Update
We had a small but positive community meeting focused on supporting students in independent work and sharing Listening Conference themes.
Take away for the school: families/students would benefit from continued explicit focus (in advisory and classes) on building their independent muscles. Some questions to explore with students include:
-- Do all students know how to quickly and efficiently access the many sites and resources?
-- Can students manage their email?
-- Do students know how to access extension work? office hours?
-- What are the successful routines students are developing to manage independent work?
Click here for ideas to help build the “independent work muscles” for the 2:15-3PM independent work time (developed by families & staff)
 Tech Corner
Having Chromebook troubles? These Troubleshooting Tips may help you and your student solve them and skip a lot of back-and-forth with the Help Desk. You can always find this slideshow, and other tech help, on the Tech Help page of the RAUC Library website.
If your Chromebook is broken in any way, take it to the Mobile Help Desk! The Help Desk is open Mon.-Fri. 8AM-4PM, and Sat. 8AM-2PM. Please note that this week, they will be closed on Wednesday because of Veteran’s Day. They're located at CRLS, Felton St side at the garage door closest to Cambridge St. (Carpentry Shop). If those times don't work, email the Help Desk.
Have a question or suggestion for a future Tech Corner? Email Sam Musher, Library Tech Teacher.
Social/Emotional Well-Being
Tip of the Week
Taking a deep breath can be soothing anytime we may need it. It is helpful to breathe deeply in difficult moments to help bring oxygen to your brain to promote a state of calmness. It can help quiet your mind and your child’s mind and brings awareness away from the worries in your head!
If you have any questions or concerns about how your student is doing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Guidance Counselor Shanika Boadu (email; 617.329.1002).
Healthy Snack of the Week
Here's Cambridge in Motion's Healthy Snack of the Week:
Sweet & Salty Trail Mix. Mix dried cranberries, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds.
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