Dear Friends, 

I hope this finds you and yours well.

Before school lets out for summer, I ask that you stay tuned in over the break.  While usually a quieter time, the next couple of months promise to include important developments in the School Committee’s ongoing negotiations with our teachers' union, the Superintendent’s annual evaluation, and (drum roll, please) election season.  I am running for re-election and need your support!

Reading at Peabody Porchfest

In the meantime, I am delighted to share how inspired I’ve been by our students and the educators who guide them.  The end of the school year includes many occasions to appreciate what our children have learned and accomplished, and others to come together to celebrate the distinct and diverse identities in our community.  Here are a few of my highlights: 

I’ve attended multiple educational events at The Foundry in the last month.  The top right photo is of students from the Cambridgeport School who shared games from their families’ cultures at the Asian Festival.  The adults pictured are Superintendent Greer and Danielle Allen, who is both a professor and Director of the Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University.  The Center partners with CPS to engage our young people in civics education.  I was at The Foundry to hear students describe their civics projects, which included leading consent workshops (how to ask for permission from others and express one’s own boundaries) for elementary students and families, compiling and distributing resources about addictive substances and services, and advocacy for required Black history courses.  The third photo is from a CPS Community Social.  It shows an activity CRLS students designed to begin the conversation about consent – I watched an elementary student use a special deck of cards to engage on the subject with near-peers, who make wonderful educators.

With Chief Equity Officer Manuel Fernandez at Peabody Pride

The Peabody School invited School Committee Members to both the Peabody Porchfest (reading aloud in classrooms) and the first annual Peabody Pride (June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month).  At these events, I was moved to hear fifth graders speaking about the need for more gender-neutral bathrooms, and to see many families affirming and celebrating diversity in gender identity and sexual orientation.

Top photo is with School Committee Student Members (and graduates!) Escamilla-Salomon and Clemente, as well as Member Caroline Hunter.  Bottom photo is of RSTA students at their Health Assisting Pinning Ceremony, joined by the educators who guided them through the program. What an impressive group! 

It was a joy to hear  8th-grade capstone presentations at the Cambridge Street Upper School and Equity Fellowship grant recipients’ share-outs, as well as to see the talent on display at the Fletcher-Maynard Academy Talent Show.  In addition, of course, recognizing our students graduating from high school is always a delight!

With some of the students and caregivers that planned and staffed the wonderful Asian festival! (Photo credit: Cindy Weisbart)

This summer includes many opportunities for you to share your perspectives, as well as help elect a thoughtful School Committee.  Our July 11 special School Committee meeting will focus on the Superintendent’s annual evaluation, and you are welcome to email the Committee your thoughts about this or any other topic at [email protected].

In terms of my upcoming run for a third term, I would be honored to have your help, whether that looks like going door-to-door with me in your neighborhood, making a donation to my campaign, or hosting a house party.  Please let me know how you want to be part of the team!

As always, I welcome your questions and suggestions.

In collaboration,

Rachel