1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):

2. Student School Committee Report:

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:

• September 19, 2023 Regular Meeting

4. Reconsiderations:
None

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:
None

6. Awaiting Reports:
None

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Superintendent's Update:

EXCEL Strategic Tutoring & Supports for Students this School Year

7b. Presentations:

Annual Achievement Data & Accountability Report

Dr. Lendozia Edwards, Chief of Academics & Schools

Jennifer Amigone, Director of Assessment & Accountability

Dr. Michelle Madera, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education

Dr. Nicole Gittens, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education

 

7c. CPS District Plan:
None

7d. Consent Agenda:
#23-239 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to the 2023/2024 Cambridge Public School District Calendar
#23-240 Recommendation: Approval of the InterdepartmentalServices Agreement Between the Cambridge Public School Department & Cambridge Public Health
#23-241 Recommendation: Day & Residential Program Services not Available from the Cambridge School Department
#23-242 Recommendation: Contract Award: Burgess Pest Management FY24 Pest Management Services
#23-243 Recommendation: Contract Award: Blue Engine: Professional Development
#23-244 Recommendation: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts
#23-245 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY2024 Fresh Fruit & Veggie Grant FMA (SC24858)-Increase

8. Non-Consent Agenda:
None

9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
None

10. Resolutions:
#23-246 Joint Motion by Member Hunter, and Member Fantini

WHEREAS:  The Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School (BBCS) was founded by a group of Cambridge parents, educators, and community members including Cambridge parents Kathy Reddick (former NAACP President), Caroline Hunter (former CRLS teacher), educators Dr. William McLaurin (former CRLS Assistant Principal) and Nella LaRosa Waters (middle school specialist), community members George Chip Greenidge, the late Harvard Professor Charles Ogletree, Pam Ogletree, and many others; and 

WHEREAS:  The Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School founders met and worked on the BBCS proposal at hundreds of meetings over the course of four years, successfully receiving a state charter in 1996; and

WHEREAS:  The Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School is the inspiration of concerned community leaders, parents, and educators, with the common vision and purpose of providing all Cambridge and local youth, regardless of race, culture, language, or socioeconomic status with a high-quality education; and

WHEREAS:  The Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School’s student population is racially and ethnically diverse, including students in the following DESE categories: 72.6% high needs, 65% low income, 40% first language is not English, 11% with disabilities, and 6% are English language learners; and

WHEREAS:  The Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School, under the capable leadership of Executive Director Sherley Bretous, is one of seven Massachusetts schools, among 350 nationwide, that has been named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The school received this designation based on overall academic performance or progress in closing the achievement gap among student groups on assessments; and

WHEREAS: The Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School is sincerely commended as a recipient of this national honor in recognition of its achievement as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the School Committee extends a congratulations to the Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School community; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Executive Secretary be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Executive Director Sherley Bretous on behalf of the entire School Committee.

#23-247 Joint Motion by Mayor Siddiqui, Member Fantini and Member Hunter

WHEREAS: It is with a heavy heart that we extend our condolences to John C. 'Jack' Haverty, Jr. family; and 

WHEREAS: Born and raised in Cambridge, Jack was a dedicated member of the community. Jack had many talents and he was an educator, carpenter, sailor, skier, and runner; and 

WHEREAS: Jack was an alumnus of the Cambridge Public Schools, including the Longfellow Elementary School where he made and retained many lifelong friendships; and 

WHEREAS: At the age of twenty, Jack enlisted in the National Guard and was stationed at multiple locations around the United States; and

WHEREAS: Jack met his wife, Deborah A. Haverty (Lewis) while working at Charlie’s Kitchen and married a few years later. They were married for 42 years and had a son named Jack. With the help of Deb, friends, and family, Jack built a house adjacent to his parents on Ellsworth Ave; and

WHEREAS: During his 33 years working in Cambridge, he taught chemistry, biology, earth science, astronomy, and robotics. He was a sailing coach for several years and helped develop the ski club into a successful extra-curricular option at CRLS; and 

WHEREAS: Jack was also the President of the Cambridge Teachers Union and cherished his time in the classroom; and 

WHEREAS: Besides his classroom duties, he was a dedicated father who attended every sporting event and coached himself. On any given day in the 1990s, Jack could be found pacing the outfield at St. Peter’s Field, too nervous to sit down and watch little Jack play; and

WHEREAS: Jack will be remembered for his passion, wisdom, and unwavering love for his family and community; now therefore be it 

RESOLVED: That the School Committee formally go on record in expressing its deepest condolences to Jack Haverty’s family; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Executive Secretary be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Jack Haverty’s family on behalf of the entire School Committee, Superintendent, and Cambridge Public Schools. 

#23-248 Joint Motion by Mayor Siddiqui, Member Hunter and Member Wilson

WHEREAS: It is with a heavy heart that we extend our condolences to Mark W. Grant, Sr. family; and 

WHEREAS: Mark graduated from Morse Elementary School and from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School the class of 1982; and 

WHEREAS: He was a part of many Cambridge youth sports as a coach of basketball, softball, and baseball and closely mentored students in their pursuits and always encouraged young people to reach their full potential; and 

WHEREAS: Mark had a great sense of humor and carried himself with a positive attitude; and 

WHEREAS: He was a fiercely loyal friend and generous to his friends and family; and 

WHEREAS: He will be remembered for his passion, wisdom, and unwavering love for his family and community; now therefore be it 

RESOLVED: That the School Committee formally go on record in expressing its deepest condolences to Mark Grant’s family; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Executive Secretary be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Mark Grant’s family on behalf of the entire School Committee, Superintendent, and Cambridge Public Schools.

11. Announcements:
None

12. Late Orders:
None

13. Communications and Reports from City Officers: None
Updated on 09/28/2023