a communication on Highlights from School Committee Meeting of March 3, 2018

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR mayor@cambridgema.gov Marc C. McGovern Phone: [phone removed] Mayor Fax: [phone removed] MEMORANDUM To: Cambridge City Council From: Marc C. McGovern, Mayor Date: March 22, 2018 Subject: Communicating Highlights from School Committee Meetings: March 3, 2018; March 20, 2018 To the Honorable, the City Council: Please find highlights from Tuesday, March 6th School Committee Meeting • Technology and Apps: Inquiry and evaluation of what is in use district wide o Pilots of new interface/communication tools ongoing at some schools • Upper School Climate: Parent/caregiver survey to take place o School Climate viewed as a measurable goal o Multiple routes/modes of distribution • Academic Eligibility for Athletics: While CRLS standards are currently higher than MIAA, events and comments from CPSD community have brought to light possible gaps in the supports available for students who are academically struggling. ▪ Public comment included CPSD parents and coaches expressing thoughts on current athletic policy ▪ Motions referred to Superintendent ▪ Recommendations from Mayor: • Widen the eligibility for probation increasing the opportunity to capture and provide greater support for students in need while maintaining vital connections to communities. • Formalize process of notification to parents/caregivers and involved parties in both school and athletics departments. ▪ May roundtable slated for follow up • Micro-aggression & Implicit Bias training: training in these specific areas to be included in already ongoing professional development for teachers and staff; training to also include CPSD administration and School Committee Please find highlights from Tuesday, March 20th School Committee Meeting Public Hearing on the Budget a well-attended hearing demonstrated an involved community. Public comment on many aspects of the proposed budget included: • Staffing: classroom teaching models, teacher- student ratios, class sizes

• Parent/caregiver engagement • Class offerings Dynamic Diversity Development Program Update - CPS District Framework strategic goal of ‘Equity and Access’ includes having a district wide staff of at least 30% people of color. Providing all students with access to a diverse educational staff and role models has both clear quantitative and qualitative benefits for all. CPSD is on the path to reaching its goals. Relationships and collaboration at every level (internal, local and national) are key. Below are some highlights of current and expanding work in this area: • Creation of the Dynamic Diversity Development Initiative (3-D) o Focus to yield greater synergy between recruitment, hiring, retention and cultural proficiency programs • Position of Program Manager for Diversity Development • Equity Initiatives at CRLS: Level Up and 1:1 Technology • Leadership for Equity training for Principals and administrators, offered by the Disruptive Equity Education Project (DEEP) • Cultural Proficiency Train-the-Trainer Program at Wheelock College: Preparing one educator per school to provide cultural proficiency training and coaching within their school community. • Para to Teacher Pipeline Partnership • CEA Educators of Color Committee and the CRLS Educators of Color • Students as equal partners Motions were discussed and passed that acknowledged School Committee members’ value statements on the importance of looking at the budget from various developmental ages and stages. The School Committee along with Administration re-affirmed their commitment to previously agreed upon measurable outcomes and will include these in FY 19 Budget. And, while the current standard curriculum review cycles are being examined; the Superintendent has shared the goal of growing a culture of continuous quality improvement. Budget Workshops continue with the School Committee vote to adopt FY 19 Budget slated for April 3rd. Respectfully, Marc C. McGovern The Mayor’s office shares the goal of creating regular joint City Council - School Committee meetings to collaborate and support highlighting need to work together on larger issues that impact our students, families and larger Cambridge community. For an official record, members should continue to refer to minutes prepared by the Executive Secretary to the School Committee. School Committee summaries represent information that the Mayor’s Office deems relevant for both bodies, and may not include all actions taken by the School Committee. If you read anything in these communications that you would like to know more about, please reach out to Educational Liaison Elizabeth Liss (eliss@cambridgema.gov).