a memorandum regarding Communicating information from the School Committee

Cambridge City Hall | 795 Massachusetts Avenue | Cambridge, MA 02139 ssiddiqui@cambridgema.gov│[phone removed]│tty: [phone removed]│cambridgema.gov 1 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Sumbul Siddiqui Mayor To: Cambridge City Council From: Sumbul Siddiqui, Mayor Date: October 1, 2020 Subject: Communicating information from the School Committee To the Honorable, the City Council: On Friday, September 25th, the School Committee had a Retreat with Superintendent Salim at the Longfellow Suites of the Royal Sonesta Hotel, for the purpose of reviewing operating protocols and norms, roles and responsibilities, and to begin outlining goals for the 2020-21 school year. We were joined by Glenn Koocher, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, who facilitated conversations around School Committee norms and how to improve our communication with one another and the Superintendent. The goal of this retreat was to create a space for the School Committee to have honest and in-depth discussions to build rapport. As I mentioned in my last communication, my Office has partnered with the Work Force Program to bring Elevate Youth to Cambridge for free and safe in-person outdoor programming for CPS students in grades 4 and 5 twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from September 23rd to October 28th at Danehy Park in North Cambridge and Sennott Park in the Port. Our participating youth will be led by older youth instructors, through the Work Force Program. We are continuing to target 4th and 5th grade students who live close to these parks (or can secure transportation) and would not typically have the chance to experience the outdoors with a structured and supervised program. If you know anyone with children in our target population, please share this application with them ASAP. My Office will be hosting a couple more Family Resource Fairs in partnership with CPS and the School Committee this month. Our upcoming Fairs are on Saturday, October 3rd, outside the Putnam Avenue Upper School from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and on Saturday, October 17th, on the Cambridge Public Library lawn from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Both will be quick grab- and-go events for answering back-to-school questions and sharing resources.

Cambridge City Hall | 795 Massachusetts Avenue | Cambridge, MA 02139 ssiddiqui@cambridgema.gov│[phone removed]│tty: [phone removed]│cambridgema.gov 2 The School Committee’s next Regular Meeting will be at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 6th, 2020. Please see the agenda here. I want to highlight the latest draft of CPSD’s COVID-19 Safety & Facilities Manual, which we will be discussing on Tuesday night. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or concerns. Respectfully, Sumbul Siddiqui