|
 Greetings
Dear RAUC families,
Please click the image for a video message with highlights from this week’s news:
As always, if you have any questions or comments about the news or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by email at [email protected] or phone at (857)244-0730.
Best,
Julia Ho, RAUC Family Liaison
Processing recent events
At RAUC, we believe a community talks about challenging issues. We regularly reflect with students on events affecting them. Our goal is always to create a safe and supportive space for a range of opinions and processing styles.
We wanted to let you know that we have supported students in processing the political drama that has been unfolding since Wednesday, January 6. We apologize for not getting this update in last week’s newsletter--there has been a lot going on. Here is what we did: Thursday and Friday (1/7 and 1/8) Advisory teachers used our SHARE protocol to support students in sharing information and reflecting on its impact on them. As an anti-racist school, we made sure to acknowledge the striking difference in the policing of white insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol in response to a false election narrative when compared to the approach to peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters coming out for racial justice. Social Studies and ELA teachers also developed lessons to deepen understanding and reflection, supported by resources created by the History/SS Department. Ask your student what the discussions made them think about and share what they wrote, created or did in any of their classes.
Updates on plans to expand in-person learning:
-
Families will be notified on Monday, January 25 on whether their student will be in-person or remain fully remote.
- We know many questions will remain on what in-person and remote learning will look like when we transition into hybrid learning.
- Stay tuned for announcements of information sessions to support a successful and safe transition!
- You can also watch the School Committee meeting tonight at this link or on Cambridge Educational Access TV channel 98/99 for more updates.
Keep supporting your student in wrapping up the first semester strong!
- This semester ends Friday, February 5th.
- Support your student’s independence and academic success by reminding them to check Aspen grade and reach out to their teachers if they are missing work or want to bring their grade up!
- You can expect Listening Conferences to start the week after February break. That will be an opportunity to reflect on the first semester and set goals for the second semester.
Reminder: Wednesday will take on Monday’s schedule
Due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Wednesday will be a Monday schedule. We have reminded students in advisories. A reminder from family as well is always helpful! For students who are coming in-person, it will still be a remote day.
RAUC Musical Auditions
 A wonderful RAUC tradition is our yearly musical, supported by the talented Visual and Performing Arts educators Summar Elguindy and Josh DeWitte. Last year our first ever virtual musical was a resounding success. If your students are interested, encourage them to try out! More information >>
Supporting Social-Emotional Well-Being for Middle Schoolers - Recording
A question came up at our evening information session if we have plans to meet with families who do choose remote learning to support their sense of isolation. We won’t be planning a separate session in the next couple of months but we recognize that this continues to be a concern of many families. In our district and community session, please look at some opportunities for students to connect with peers. Here is the link again to the recording (Passcode: .*+p.x2j) from our last community session with SEL Lead Teacher Alice Cohen.
Tech Corner
 Girls or nonbinary students:
The Spring 2021 Student Application for MIT’s CodeIt program is now live. CodeIt is one of MIT’s Middle School Outreach Programs, and it gives an introduction to Computer Science to girls or nonbinary students in grades 6-8. The program's curriculum is led in Scratch by experienced MIT undergraduate students and targeted at middle school students with little to no prior experience with coding.
Deadline: Monday, March 1st, 2021
Apple here >>
Questions? Email CodeIt.
Does your student have a routine for checking their email? Try setting an alarm for 2:15 (when independent work time starts) and using that time to read all new emails. Delete the ones they don't need to keep, and reply to the ones that need a reply. Then move on with the rest of their independent work.
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. 10AM-2PM. They're located at CRLS. Come to the service windows beside the garage door, on Felton St. closest to Broadway. Look for the fluorescent pink signs hanging in the window.
Social/Emotional Well-being--Tip of the Week
"Making mistakes is an important part of your student’s learning process. Sometimes this can be challenging, but each time a child has to work through a mistake they’ve made it allows them to move forward in their Social Emotional Learning. It can also be beneficial for them to hear of mistakes you have made, and how you have grown from them!"
Healthy Snack of the Week
.png "Apple Sandwiches")
Here's Cambridge in Motion's Healthy Snack of the Week:
Apple Sandwiches: Slice apples thinly and add cheddar cheese between the slices! Serve with dried fruits like cranberries, apricots and/or prunes!
|