Message From CPS Superintendent Greer For April 11

Cambridge MA

12 April, 2022

9:13 PM

Description

Press release from Cambridge Public Schools: April 11, 2022 Greetings CPS Community! "Time is flying by very quickly, our spring vacation week is upon us and I hope that everyone takes a little time to rest and relax next week. Last week was filled with a couple of firsts for us in CPS. I had the pleasure of kicking off the district planning process with our first student-led design group to draft the district's mission, vision and core values. We hosted about twenty students from across the district in grades 5-12 for a full day of collaboration and design work for the district's vision, mission and core values. I was so impressed by their ideas and candor. CRLS also held its first "One School, One Story" readathon, where 75 students in grades 9-12 participated in a day-long event to select the CPS summer reading book. It was a fun-filled day full of reading and book discussions. Beginning tomorrow, schools will be giving out a take home rapid test to every student and staff member. It is expected that the test will be taken on Sunday, April 24, the day before school reopens. If your child tests positive, please notify the school. As a reminder, we will be closed on Monday, May 2 instead of Tuesday, May 3 in observance of Eid. Thank you for your engagement and continued support. I hope you have a restful and peaceful April break." Make it Great! Dr. Victoria L. Greer Superintendent This summer, CRLS students and faculty will participate in a shared reading experience called One School, One Story. Students, teachers, administrators, coaches, everyone in the school community will all read the same book, a shift that will promote student agency, build literacy, and strengthen our community. To decide this year's book, 75 students in grades 9-12 participated in a 16-hour, disco-themed readathon. Starting at 8:00 am, students cycled through hours of reading, dancing, games, and discussion, until midnight when they voted for this year's summer reading book: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. During the summer, CPS will collaborate with the community to provide activities related to the book. In the fall, in-school events, lessons and/or workshops will align with the book's themes. Students and staff members who opt in can rapid test at home weekly. HIGHLIGHTS OF AT-HOME RAPID TESTING PLAN: The testing program is VOLUNTARY. Opt-in through the CPS Family Portal. COVID Updates Following ongoing discussions with the Cambridge Public Health Department and the Health, Safety, and Facilities Working Group, we continue to review and update our COVID protocols to reflect current conditions. As updates are made, we will notify the CPS community in a timely manner. **Please note that these updates are subject to further changes as conditions evolve.** Prom CPSstudents, staff, and chaperones, are required to be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption. Attendance capacity would adhere to the venue limit. Water Fountains Custodial staff began removing the plastic from water fountains last week. The water systems will be flushed and a cleaning routine will be reinstated. Celebrations, Performances, Concerts Attendees may participate in events such as celebrations, performances, and concerts as follows: Full capacity in spring of 2022 with masks required regardless of vaccination status Building Access Entry into buildings must continue to be managed. 1. Parents/caregivers may not enter the building without an appointment (e.g. dropoff or pickup), except in situations when notified by school. 2. Volunteers, guests, and parents/caregivers participating in classroom activities must have an appointment or be scheduled to enter the building. Individuals will be offered masks upon entry. Cambridge Community Iftar Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui's Office, the Cambridge Public Schools' Muslim Affinity Committee, the City's Employees' Committee on Diversity and the Islamic Society of Boston will host a community iftar. The event will take place at the Cambridge Street Upper School located at 850 Cambridge Street. The iftar is the evening meal where Muslims break their fast after sunset during the Holy month of Ramadan. Stop by for a community meal, mingling and to learn more about this custom from our students and guest speakers. In addition, there will be a prayer area for the evening prayer (Magrib). Wednesday, April 13 | 6:15PM This event is free and all are welcome. CPS 2021-22 School calendar All Schools and Admin Offices Closed: Monday, April 18 - Friday, April 22 | April Break (**Admin Offices Only Closed on Monday, April 18 for Patriot's Day**) 2022-23 JK/K Lottery: Closed for the 2022-23 school year; If you are interested in registering your child, visit our registration webpage for more information. April Lunch Menu: Week 1 (April 4 - April 8) COVID-19 Testing/At-Home Weekly Testing Forms: Log in to the Family Portal COVID-19 Testing & Quarantine Protocols CPS Quarantine Instructional Guidelines for SY2021-22 Superintendent's Student Design Group RAUC Students @Mayor Siddiqui's Student Art Contest Rindge Avenue Upper School swept Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui's Women's History Month Student Art Contest with their incredible and inspiring work! Check out the billboard in front of City Hall! Congratulations to Vida, Jea and Nida…we are so proud of you! PAUS Students and Families Participate in a Community Service Day! Last week, about 75 students and caregivers from the Putnam Avenue school community met on a blustery Saturday morning to clean-up Magazine Beach Park! They collected garbage and swept and cleaned the Magazine Beach Building inside out. This press release was produced by Cambridge Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.