Dear Graham and Parks Families,
I hope you are enjoying the last weeks of summer! At Graham & Parks, we have been busy preparing for the opening of school. Our custodial team worked hard this summer to clean our building and teachers will return this week to get classrooms ready for students. Our floors are shining, we are energized, and we can’t wait to welcome students back! The start of a new school year always brings a sense of optimism, expectation, and hope and these emotions are very much alive at Graham & Parks.
Staffing Update
We have two new faces in the main office this year.
- Ms. Enid DeCastro is our new clerk. Enid has served in similar roles previously and spent much of her career in the Lowell Public Schools. Enid is eager and excited to be joining us at Graham & Parks. She brings warmth, expertise, and strong organizational skills to the role.
- Ms. Robin Harris, former Principal of the Fletcher Maynard Academy and Director of Family Engagement for CPS, will be joining our Graham & Parks team while on assignment from the Office of the Superintendent. Ms. Harris is a highly experienced and respected educational leader in the Cambridge community and I am very excited that I will have the chance to learn from and work with her during the start of the 2024 - 2025 school year.
First Day of School
The first day of school for students in grades 1 - 5 is Tuesday, September 3. The first day of school for students in the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) and Kindergarten is Thursday, September 5. Please ensure that students bring a backpack, a water bottle, and a snack to school. We will provide all other school supplies. If you need assistance with a backpack, please contact the Family Liaison at [email protected].
School Hours
As you know, CPS has added 30 minutes to the school day at all elementary and upper schools. Every Wednesday, we will dismiss 30 minutes early. The school hours at Graham & Parks School are 8:15AM - 2:45PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The school hours will be 8:15AM - 2:15PM on Wednesday.
Arrival
Student arrival time is 8:05 - 8:13AM. All students are expected to be in classrooms by 8:15AM. This year students will meet their classroom teacher outside in the morning at the following locations:
- CPP - Main Entrance on Linnaean Street, Right side when facing the school
- Kindergarten - Main Entrance on Linnaean Street, Right side when facing the school
- Grade 1 - Main Entrance on Linnaean Street, Left side when facing the school
- Grades 2 - 5 - G&P Playground
- Students should find their classroom number painted on the cement and line up in front of their number.
- Grades 2 & 3 will be on the soccer field.
- Grade 4 & 5 & our LBLD classroom will be on the basketball court.
While we encourage all students to walk, bike, or take the bus to school, we understand some families will drive their child(ren). If driving, parents and caretakers of Preschool, Kindergarten, and grade 1 students must park and walk their child to the main entrance. Parents of students in grades 2 - 5 have the option of parking or dropping off along Avon Street (by handicapped walkway to the playground) or Walker Street (at the entrance to the playground) from 8:05 - 8:13AM. If you are a parent of a student in grades 2 - 5 and using our new drop off zones, please note:
- These are Drop & Go (parents and caregivers can not get out of the car). Staff will be available to assist students.
- Students must exit the car on the passenger side (not on the street side).
- Prior to 8:05AM staff need to be able to access the parking lots. You may not line up before 8:05AM and wait to drop off your child.
Any student who arrives after 8:13AM needs to enter through the main entrance on Linnaean Street and check in at the main office.
Breakfast
We offer breakfast beginning at 7:50AM. This is free and available to all students again this year. Any student who wants to have breakfast at school should arrive as close to 7:50AM as possible and enter the school through the main entrance. Students who take the bus will go to the cafeteria when they arrive and have the option of eating breakfast. No sign up is required.
Dismissal
The school day ends at 2:45PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and at 2:15PM on Wednesday. This year classes will dismiss walkers and students who are picked up by a caregiver at the same location they were dropped off in the morning. This means:
- CPP, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 - Main Entrance
- Students in Grades 2 - 5 - G&P Playground
- Grades 2 & 3 will be on the soccer field.
- Grades 4 & 5 & our LBLD classroom will be on the basketball court.
Teachers and staff will ensure that students riding the bus get on safely. Students who attend after school programs in the Graham & Parks building will transition to their program at this time.
Please make sure your child's teacher knows their dismissal plan every day. Any changes must be made in writing by email or a ParentSquare message to the teacher. If you need to make a last minute change, please call the Main Office at 617.349.6577 before 12PM to ensure enough time to communicate the plan to the teacher.
If your child needs to be picked up early for an appointment, please pick them up before 2:00 PM. Dismissals between 2PM and the end of the regular school day are disruptive to the end of the day routines and are strongly discouraged.
Transportation
Students who live more than 1 mile from school are eligible for a bus. The Transportation Department mailed letters that include your child's bus stop time and location if you are eligible. You can also find your child's bus information by entering your address here then clicking on Graham & Parks.
If you need to change your child's bus or add a bus because of an afterschool program, please fill out the Transportation Change Form and email it to the G&P clerk, Enid DeCastro, at [email protected]. Please note that it takes 48 hours to process these requests.
ParentSquare & Annual Forms
We will use ParentSquare for communication again this year. If you haven’t already registered, you can do so here. Don’t forget to fill out your child’s Annual Forms! Log into the CPS Family Portal to access the forms. The Health Form can be printed and brought to school on the first day. If you need assistance with annual forms, ParentSquare, or transportation, you can come to the main entrance from 8:20 - 8:50AM on Tuesday, 9/3. The family liaisons will be there to answer any questions.
Listening Conferences
We will hold listening conferences with families and caregivers in September. Teachers will be sending more information and sign up instructions.
Principal’s Coffee
Our first Principal’s Coffee will be held on Monday, September 9th from 8:20 - 9AM. This is a time for us to welcome our new and returning families and be in community. Please join us if you are able for connection and conversation. We will be joined by Beth Kershner, Director of Multilingual Learner (ML) Education.
Back to School Picnic
We will have a Back to School Picnic in September and will confirm the date as soon as we are able. Stay tuned!
Back to School Night
Please mark your calendars for Back to School Night, which will be held on Wednesday, September 25 from 6 - 7:15PM. This year, students are invited to join their parents and caregivers to visit classrooms, meet teachers and staff, and receive information about the learning experience and expectations for the grade level. We will share additional details as we get closer to the date.
As we begin this school year, I want to thank you in advance for all the time, energy, and support that you will give your child, the staff, and the school. I look forward to working with you and our staff throughout the year to provide the best educational experiences for our children. I am committed to increasing and improving the engagement between our school and the families we serve. Please know that I am here to listen and partner with you to make that vision a reality.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Kathleen Smith