• September 12, 2022 Special Meeting
• September 13, 2022 Retreat Meeting
• September 20, 2022 Regular Meeting

WHEREAS: The Superintendent and School Committee have been working with the Department of Human Services Programs to expand access to afterschool programs; and

WHEREAS: Cambridge Public Schools have increased access to space for programs within school buildings, and have recruited district staff to apply for DHSP after-school positions; and

 WHEREAS: A waiting list of over two hundred families remains for city-run after-school programs this school year; and

 WHEREAS: Many students attend afterschool programs run by community partners; and

 WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public Schools transportation policy has made extended considerations for students in grades 6-8 beyond the state requirement; and

WHEREAS: The School Committee requested a plan for transporting students to after-school programs last year (21-311, Members Wilson and Fantini); and

WHEREAS: Cambridge Public Schools provided additional funding to community partners last year to address the transportation needs of their participants; and

WHEREAS: The administration has examined options for bus routes and policies, including those outlined in the Student Transportation Assessment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge Public Schools will work with the contracted transportation company to address student transportation this year, including but not limited to allowing students to ride buses that have the capacity, and exploring adding stops along/near existing routes; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the administration will provide the School Committee with an update on related efforts no later than October 31, 2022.

COVID-19 Update

None

WHEREAS: Climate change and air quality have significant impacts on the health, well-being, and future of the children the Cambridge Public School District (CPSD) serves; and

WHEREAS: The Cambridge School Committee is committed to the health, well-being and future of the children of Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: Electrification of CPSD’s school bus services would have a positive impact on climate change and the reduction of particulates in the air, benefiting our children and everyone in our Cambridge community; and

WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public School District has been a leader in school bus electrification, participating in a pilot project in 2016 with two other Massachusetts school districts, funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and administered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), which included a $400,000 grant to Cambridge to purchase an electric school bus and a charging station, which are still in service in Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has been a leader in reducing transportation-related emissions, including a Green Fleet policy requiring all municipal departments requesting new vehicles to compare options on the basis of fuel economy and emissions, recognizing that a significant percentage of climate-change emissions in the city result from transportation; and

WHEREAS: The Cambridge Climate Working Group Findings and Recommendations Report recommends that all leased and owned school buses be electric vehicles; therefore be it

RESOLVED: That CPSD explore every opportunity to electrify our school bus fleet and school bus service taking into account the expiration of CPSD’s current school bus contract on August 31, 2025; and be it further

RESOLVED: That CPSD will explore and pursue any potentially beneficial funding opportunities including state and federal programs; and be it further

RESOLVED: That CPSD will seek intermediate steps that advance us towards the goal of full electrification, including taking full advantage of the electric bus owned by CPSD; and be it further

RESOLVED: That CPSD will establish a plan, including a timeline, for full electrification of the CPSD school bus fleet and school bus service by September 2030 or sooner if feasible; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Superintendent will present an update on this plan by June 30, 2023.

Report of the September 15, 2022 Curriculum and Achievement Sub-Committee Meeting

Report of the September 28, 2022 Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee Meeting

Report of the October 3, 2022 Special Education and Student Supports Sub-Committee Meeting

WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public Schools exist to educate children, to prepare them for success in their careers, families, communities, and lives; and

WHEREAS: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has declared November 20 as World Children’s Day, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and

WHEREAS: The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world, outlining civil rights, access to healthcare and education, and freedom of speech and thought all people under 18 years old deserve; and 

WHEREAS: The Convention on the Rights of the Child explains how children are simultaneously individuals as well as dependents, reliant on adults and the State to protect them and their families; and

WHEREAS: The United States has signed the treaty, but has not ratified it, becoming the only country in the United Nations not to have ratified the Convention; and

WHEREAS: This year’s World Children’s Day theme is equality and inclusion, two values the Cambridge Public Schools shares; now, therefore, be it 

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge Public Schools goes on record recognizing World Children’s Day, and be it further

RESOLVED: That, by forwarding this resolution to each member of our Congressional delegation, the School Committee requests that our federal representatives push for ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

WHEREAS: The transition from middle school to high school can be challenging for some; and

WHEREAS: This school year there was an emphasis to support the incoming 9th graders with a Bridge to CRLS orientation; and

WHEREAS: For three days at the end of August a collaboration between Cambridge Public Schools and Community Partners spearheaded by the Agenda For Children’s Out of School Time Middle School Network Coordinator, Annie Leavitt to make a pipe dream a reality; and

WHEREAS: Roughly 260 scholars attended the workshops led by CRLS upperclassmen (including our Student School Committee Members Clemente and Escamilla-Salomon) and community partners from programs/opportunities, including ways to build community with their peers, to previewing challenges youth may face during the transition to high school; and 

WHEREAS: On the kickoff day, Principal Smith opened the space along with Deans, Guidance Counselors, and other staff mentioning “This is now a tradition”; therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge School Committee goes on record honoring and appreciating Agenda For Children Out of School staff, Annie Leavitt, Khari Milner, and Shawn Proctor along with CRLS Upperclassmen and staff, a host of Community Partners including ACCESS, Cambridge Public Library, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Office of Workforce Development, and many more. Find the complete list of Shoutouts here, and be it further

RESOLVED: That a formal copy of this resolution be prepared by the Executive Secretary to the School Committee and be forwarded to Mrs. Annie Leavitt and the Agenda For Children. 

WHEREAS: Janet Snedeker retired from The Cambridge Public Schools on October 1, 2022, after 18 years of dedication to the children and families of the City of Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: Janet grew up in Connecticut, making her way to Cambridge where she resides with her husband Rick, and their daughters Laura and Claire both attended the M.E. Fitzgerald School where she was an active parent; and

WHEREAS: Throughout her career as a Clerk Specialist for The Office of Student Services, Janet was known for her strong work ethic, meticulous attention to detail, integrity, commitment to equity, and advocacy for students with disabilities and their families and caregivers; and

WHEREAS: Over the years of her employment, Janet’s work involved reviewing specific components of the IEP packets for accuracy and compliance, always taking the extra steps to ensure that accuracy, processing invoices, and managing special education transportation; and

WHEREAS: Janet carried out all her duties with diligence and integrity, and more importantly, the ability to maintain her composure under pressure and during emergencies which occurred pretty regularly; and 

WHEREAS: Janet will be greatly missed as she truly made a difference in the lives of students with disabilities, their families and caregivers, the Office of Student Services school-based staff, fellow clerks fiscal managers, and administrators; a caring co-worker always willing to help out if needed with a sense of humor and quick wit sure to bring a smile to your face; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge School Committee go on record expressing appreciation to Janet for her 18 years of dedicated service and wishing her good health and happiness in her retirement, and be it further

RESOLVED: That a formal copy of this Resolution be prepared by the Executive Secretary to the School Committee to be presented to Janet Snedeker.

• Mayor Siddiqui & Vice Chair Rachel: Draft 2022-2023 School Committee Goals
• Mayor Siddiqui & Vice Chair Rachel: Superintendent Evaluation Timeline