Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, October 21 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Tuesday, November 4 | Staff Professional Learning Day/Election Day (No School)
- Tuesday, November 11 | Veterans Day (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
- Tuesday, November 18 | School Committee Meeting (Beginning at 6PM)
- Thursday, November 27 - Friday, November 28 | Thanksgiving Break (No School & CPS Offices Closed)
Good evening CPS Community,
It’s been an eventful month at Cambridge Public Schools, including the School Committee's appointment of a Superintendent, continued monitoring of federal funding issues amid recent national events, ongoing academic performance reviews, and a long-awaited grand opening celebration of our latest school building.
- On October 6, the School Committee voted to appoint David Murphy to the position of CPS Superintendent of Schools. In a letter to the community, Superintendent Murphy expressed his gratitude to the School Committee on his appointment, acknowledged the community’s steadfast commitment to educating the children of Cambridge, and highlighted the importance of celebrating success stories while remaining transparent about where change is needed to meet the needs of all students.
- Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown and continued layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education – specifically oversight for Special Education - access to federal grant funding has not been impacted for the Cambridge Public Schools. CPS will continue to provide special education and other targeted services using existing federal funding including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant, Title I, and more. We remain committed to cultivating an educational environment grounded in equity.
- This past Saturday, we celebrated the Grand Opening Celebration of the Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper Schools and Community Complex, made possible through a historic level of investment in public education by the Cambridge community. The Tobin/DVUS Complex marks a major leap in our commitment to demanding higher educational standards and greater equity for all students. For generations, this building will stand as a powerful testament to Cambridge's unwavering dedication to public education.
Looking ahead, district leaders will continue a review of the recently released MCAS and accountability data, including Civics and Science MCAS, discuss areas of improvement, and discuss strategies to achieve district goals at tomorrow’s School Committee meeting.
Last but not least, we hope to see you at our Community Social, this Saturday, October 25. Event details are available below.
Sincerely,
The CPS Team
In this Issue:
- Community Social This Saturday
- Get Help From Our Digital Navigators
- Fall Free Food Markets
- Preschool Application for 2026-2027 Now Available!
- Upcoming Covid-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinics
- Apply for Equity Grants to Improve CPS Today
- Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Home Energy Assistance
- Strategic Spotlight:
- Upcoming Events
- District & Community Resources
- The Bright Spot
Need to Know News
Community Social This Saturday
Join the Family and Community Engagement Team and our community partners for our first Community Social of the new school year this Saturday. The theme for this event is Rhythms of Community: Dance, Drum, and Togetherness.
The event will feature West African dance and drumming for all ages and abilities. Come and join the festivities, indulge in delicious food, participate in our raffle, and take home some swag! Check out the Community Social flyer here.
- When: Saturday, October 25 | 10:30AM - 1PM
- Where: Morse School (40 Granite Street)
- Registration is helpful but not required.
Questions? Contact Mia Ferej or call 617.349.9786
Get Help From Our Digital Navigators
The Digital Navigators Program is available to the Cambridge community!
Digital Navigators provide one-on-one support to help residents…
- Access the internet
- Set up devices
- Use online services effectively
View the Digital Navigator Program flyer here (አማርኛ | عريب | বাংলা | Kreyòl ayisyen | Español).
Those interested in learning more can contact Eden Wagayehu, the CPS Digital Navigator by calling 781.285.5078 or emailing [email protected].
Fall Free Food Markets
All families are welcome to stop by our free, school-based food markets. They offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry items. Please bring your own bags.
Graham and Parks School
1:30 - 3PM
November 13 | December 4
|
Fletcher Maynard Academy
2 - 3:45PM
November 12 | December 10
|
Peabody School/ Rindge Avenue Upper School
3:25 - 5:15PM
November 20 | December 18
|
Community Charter School of Cambridge
2:30 - 3:30PM
October 29 | November 25 | December 17
|
Preschool Application for 2026-2027 Now Available!
Applications for the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) for the 2026-2027 school year are open now through Friday, November 14.
CPP provides access to free preschool through Cambridge Public Schools, the Cambridge Department of Human Services and Programs, and select community-based preschool and family child-care providers. Families can choose from programs that operate full-day, full-year (including summer) for an additional cost. Families apply through a single, centralized online application during the fall application timeframe.
- A child is eligible if they live in Cambridge and are:
- 4 years old by August 31, 2026 for 4-year-old programs; or
- 3 years old by August 31, 2026 for 3-year-old programs (please note there will be limited seats for 3-year-olds, and there may be additional eligibility requirements)
The program is managed by the City’s Office of Early Childhood. Learn more about the Cambridge Preschool Program here.
Upcoming COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinics
The Cambridge Public Health Department is offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines to adults and children who live in Cambridge.
Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to receive both COVID-19 and flu vaccines in Massachusetts.
- *Thursday, October 23 | 4:30 - 7PM
- King Open School (850 Cambridge St.)
- *Please note that this is a Vaxabilities Clinic for people with special needs.
- Friday, October 24 | 1 - 4PM
- Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender St.)
- Wednesday, October 29 | 3:30 - 6:30PM
- Reservoir Church (170 Rindge Ave.)
- *Please note that this is a Vaxabilities Clinic for people with special needs.
- Thursday, October 30 | 4 - 6:30PM
- Pisani Center (131 Washington St.)
Appointments are encouraged. Bring your insurance card if you have one.
Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Home Energy Assistance
Colder weather means higher heating bills. The Cambridge Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 season. The program helps residents pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. See if your household qualifies and apply here.
Apply for Equity Grants to Improve CPS Today
Calling students, staff, and caregivers! Do you have an idea for a project to make CPS more equitable and inclusive? The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging offers two funding options:
- OEIB Mini-Grants (up to $1000)
- Smaller purchases or events – try out your idea!
- OEIB Mini-Grant Applications | Deadline: Rolling
- Past examples: Black Student Union Cookout, games for Best Buddies, CSUS GSA Queer Micro Library, CRLS Muslim Students Association Eid Party
- Equity Collaborative ($500-$5000)
In the District
Haitian Affinity Group Meeting
Tuesday, October 21 | 6:30 - 8PM
Zoom
Families are invited to attend the Haitian Affinity Group meeting to discuss building relationships between student, family, and school. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Community Social
Saturday, October 25 | 10:30AM - 1PM
Morse School (40 Granite Street)
Join CPS and our community partners for our first Community Social of the year. Enjoy
West African dance, drumming, and unity! Lunch is provided. Registration is helpful for planning but not required.
Family Literacy Fun Day
Saturday, November 1 | 10:30AM - 2PM
Cambridge City Hall (795 Massachusetts Avenue)
Celebrate National Family Literacy Month This free event is for Cambridge families with kids from birth to 3rd grade. Enjoy stories, activities, free books, and food while celebrating literacy! Learn more about Family Literacy Fun Day here.
Virtual Multilingual Learner Families of Color Listen and Learn
Thursday, November 20 | 6:30PM
Zoom (link to be provided through registration)
Share your experience and ideas on how to support multilingual learners with the CPS Director of Multilingual Education at this Listen and Learn session. Hosted by Cambridge Families of Color and the Village.
District Calendar
Visit our digital calendar for upcoming events here.
In the Community
STEAM It Up!
Thursday, October 23 | 6 - 8PM
Putnam Avenue Upper School (100 Putnam Avenue)
Explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)
during our STEAM It Up event this fall. This Cambridge-wide event for preschoolers - 8th grade will feature fun STEAM events and free pizza!
Vampire Orienteering
Wednesday October 29 | 6 - 8:30PM
Danehy Park (166 New Street)
Join Navigation Games for
Vampire Orienteering. Teams will search the park after dark for checkpoints and candy! Attendees are encouraged to bring flashlights and wear costumes if they would like.
Registration is required, please register before midnight on Tuesday, October 28!
Día De Muertos
Saturday, November 1 | 1 - 4PM
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology (11 Divinity Avenue)
Learn more about this
joyful holiday, a national symbol of Mexico with altars, crafts, live music, dance performances, food, and more! Regular
museum admission rates apply. Event activities free where noted.
Learn more about the Día De Muertos event here.
Webinar: Student Assessments & Evaluations: When to Seek Them, What to Know, How to Make Sense of Them
Wednesday, November 12 | 12PM
Join Cartwheel and national expert on ADHD and learning disorders, Dr. Ellen Braaten, to learn when families should consider an evaluation, what the process involves, and how to understand the results so families can advocate for their children.
Register for the webinar here.
Science Club for Girls
Date & Time Varies
Virtual and In-person
Explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in this
free after-school program for girls and gender-expansive youth (kindergarten - grade 8)
Apply for the Science Club for Girls here.
District & Community Resources
Mr. McGuinness Inducted Into State Science Educator Hall of Fame
Paul McGuinness while researching whale sharks in Baja California, Mexico.
CRLS Biology and Marine Biology Teacher, Paul McGuinness, was nominated and selected to the Massachusetts Science Educators Hall of Fame. Mr. McGuinness has taught at CRLS for 29 years! During his time at CRLS, he launched a
CRLS Marine Science Internship in partnership with Harvard University, and served as student advisor for the Marine Conservation Club and coordinator for CRLS Travel Program where he organized numerous STEM related trips to the Bahamas, Galapagos, Panama, Berlin, and Madrid. He has also serves as a coach for the CRLS Underwater Robotics team and National Ocean Science Bowl Team. Mr. McGuinness was named 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year by the Massachusetts Marine Educators.
He will be inducted this month, and will also be recognized at Massachusetts Science Teachers Association (MAST) awards dinner in November. Mr. McGuinness has dedicated years to supporting students, caregivers, and colleagues and his impact goes far beyond the classroom. Join us in celebrating this well-deserved honor.
Celebrating Enhanced Audio and Visual Equipment at CPS
Thanks to the support of School Committee member David Weinstein and State Senator Sal DiDomenico, the Cambridge Public Schools received a $50,000 grant earlier this calendar year that allowed us to purchase five portable, user-friendly sound systems. These systems will be utilized at the Baldwin, Cambridgeport, Fletcher Maynard Academy, Graham and Parks, and Peabody schools.
Grand Opening Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper School
Thank you to all who attended the Grand Opening Celebration for the Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper School and Community Complex! Neighbors, families, staff, city officials and guests gathered Saturday, October 18 for a ceremonial grand opening and ribbon cutting. The celebration included the dedication of the Dr. Carolyn Turk Auditorium, named after former CPS Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Carolyn Turk and employee of over 40+ years, a ceremonial ribbon cutting and tours of the facility.