Dear Friends,

I hope you and your loved ones are as well as can be.

There are ways in which both everything and nothing has changed for the Cambridge Public Schools since my last newsletter. Obviously, the largest change is that we have a new administration in Washington. At the same time, the School Committee and Interim Superintendent have recommitted to our values, including those of safety, diversity, and respect. We remain focused on excellent education for every student, including the development of critical thinking skills and instruction in inclusive, accurate history. While the national changes are stoking rational anxiety and fear in our community, I am proud to report that our City and school district continue to rally for our vulnerable residents. 

(Students continue learning at the Escuela Amigos and CPS provides resources to families)

A small but meaningful example of the interplay between federal and local education practices is our Teen/Middle Grades Health Survey. Every two years, the district administers this survey, which is drawn largely from the Youth Risk Behaviors Survey of the Centers for Disease Control. When we review the 2024 data, as the School Committee did this week, we see trends in the experiences of our students by demographic groups. In recent years, our transgender and gender-diverse students – particularly those in upper school grades – have struggled disproportionately with mental health, bullying, and discrimination. We know this because we disaggregate the data. However, the CDC has recently removed LGBTQIA+ data and will no longer include related questions on the Youth Risk Behaviors Survey. (They also added a misleading, harmful banner to the top of their website.) If we are to close opportunity gaps, it becomes more important than ever that CPSD continue to collect and analyze data by race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and disability status. 

Some promising news in the 2024 Teen Health Survey is that experiences of racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination, as well as of sexual violence, have dropped significantly at CRLS. I believe many efforts deserve credit for this, especially those led by our students. In January, our boys basketball teams partnered with students in Title IX Aurelia Advocates and Train the Trainer (T3), as well as local organizations, to take a pledge against gender-based violence and educate our broader community.  Kudos to the students and the dedicated educators and athletic coaches who supported them!

In closing, the Committee will be focused on the FY26 budget for the next few weeks. My top priority for this cycle is strengthening our family engagement, as we know that students achieve at higher levels when educators and caregivers are true partners. I also want to ensure that Cambridge schools have the resources needed to continue teaching inclusive, anti-racist curricula if higher levels of government withdraw financial support. I look forward to receiving Interim Superintendent Murphy’s proposed budget, as well as hearing feedback from our students, educators, and families.  

In collaboration,

Rachel