Letter from Mayor Siddiqui, 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: November 25, 2020 Subject: Communicating information from the School Committee To the Honorable, the City Council: For the next Regular Meeting of the School Committee on Tuesday, December 1st, I have filed a motion, cosponsored by Member Weinstein and Vice-Chair Bowman, asking the Superintendent work with the Safety, Health, and Facilities Working Group and Cambridge Public Health Department to explore the possibility of implementing a pool testing strategy—similar to what the Somerville and Medford Public Schools are employing—and whether it can be effective and applicable to the Cambridge Public School community. In addition, I have cosponsored a motion with Member Rachel and Member Wilson requesting that the school department work with the City to determine how soon the Field House can be made for school use and that the school department work with scientific advisors, community partners, and volunteers to explore the provision of wellbeing and social opportunities for students at the Field House during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic. In planning for a potential shift to district-wide remote learning, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Madera has been working with school principals to identify action steps that include: • Schedules for students who are transitioning to remote learning • Plans for staff that will continue to be in buildings and processes for staff to access buildings • Transition plans for students with disabilities and English language learners • Technology links and device support • Schedules for families to pick up materials Cambridge Public Health School Nurse Manager Tracy Rose-Tynes has informed us that school nurses are doing record reviews on all immunizations. In-person students who did not receive a flu vaccine will be offered vaccines onsite from early to mid-December. CPSD hopes that 6th-12th graders will take advantage of the Teen Health Center and the nurses continue to receive documentation from families who have received their flu shots elsewhere (in the community, from their primary care providers, and at pharmacies).

Cambridge City Hall | 795 Massachusetts Avenue | Cambridge, MA 02139 ssiddiqui@cambridgema.gov│[phone removed]│tty: [phone removed]│cambridgema.gov 2 The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board of Directors met on November 20th to review and vote on the guidelines for the winter sports schedule. A recommendation is planned for the December 1st School Committee meeting agenda for approval regarding the winter sports guidelines for CRLS remote learners. CPSD began its Chromebook distribution on November 17th, following the backlog. Requests that come into ICTS are prepared for pickup at the mobile helpdesk on Felton St. by 8:00 AM the next day. Between Tuesday, November 17th-Thursday, November 19th, over 400 devices were distributed to families. In CPSD’s most recent YTD report on chronic absenteeism, we see that there are more students chronically absent in 2020 compared to 2019 and 2018 district-wide as well as in the elementary and upper schools. However, we see that a smaller percentage of currently active students at the high school are chronically absent compared to the previous two years. Please see the table below: As I announced last week, my Office and the WorkForce Program are continuing our partnership with Elevate Youth this winter to launch a virtual program for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade CPS students to stay connected and engage with interactive activities and challenges. • Our goal is to promote outdoor education, movement, and wellness in the students we serve, while maintaining social connection through weekly check-ins. • The fun, project-based curriculum will begin the week after Thanksgiving and will run until at least mid-February. • Weekly themes will include: learning about wildlife in our neighborhoods, cooking and eating new and interesting foods, participating in group yoga and exercise classes, learning tips and tricks to get outside in the winter months, and much more!

Cambridge City Hall | 795 Massachusetts Avenue | Cambridge, MA 02139 ssiddiqui@cambridgema.gov│[phone removed]│tty: [phone removed]│cambridgema.gov 3 • There will also be an opportunity to join free in-person outings during the weekends (e.g. hiking, skating, cross-country skiing), state and local health restrictions permitting. We want our students to get active, get some fresh air, and spend time off their screens this winter. Please encourage to any interested families you know to fill out an application ASAP. Our upcoming meetings are as follows: • Tuesday, December 1st, 2020 o Regular Meeting | 6:00 PM • Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 o School Climate Subcommittee Meeting | 5:00 PM ▪ Discussing revisions to the elementary school check-in policy • Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 o Roundtable Meeting | 6:00 PM ▪ With upper and high school principals • Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 o Regular Meeting | 6:00 PM Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or concerns. Respectfully, Sumbul Siddiqui