Haggerty Holler: April 17, 2025

Posted on 04/17/2025

Haggerty Used Book Fair

The Haggerty Community celebrated their annual Book Character day on Friday, April 11th. Staff and students dressed up as a character from their favorite book. We started in the morning with a school-wide parade up and down Cushing Street, led by two CRLS student drummers. Many families gathered along the parade route to admire the costumes. During the school day there were a variety of mystery readers in classrooms. We ended the day with a school-wide assembly, celebrating some of our favorite reads through a couple book reports - or a “book buzz.” At the end of the assembly students enjoyed a guessing game. Four staff members put on blow-up costumes, and using hints, the students had to guess the staff member. It was a very fun day all about books. Thanks to those who could join us, and thanks to all the staff for supporting the efforts!

Run with Friends!

Hi Haggerty community,

Are you a runner? Do you want to be? I am gathering up a group of caregiving runners to head out for a jog every weekday morning at 7:45AM. The hope is that we can enjoy each other's company, keep each other accountable and build some stronger relationships. If you are just putting on running shoes for the first time or tackling your 10th attempt at the Barkley Marathons all are welcome! In time we hope to establish some type of text/social media group to encourage each other, participate in local races together and eventually get our kiddos excited about exercise as well with some weekend run meetups.

If you are interested contact Darl Packard (FOH Chairperson and parent of Mychal, 1st grade, and Zephyr, Special Start) at [email protected] or 443.801.2024.

Library Corner

On April 14, 2025, first graders and kindergarteners enjoyed a special visit from author and illustrator Thyra Heder in the library. The students had the opportunity to hear Thyra share insights about her writing and drawing process, listen to her read The Polar Bear Report, and engage in a live drawing session where she brought students' suggestions to life. Students were astonished at how rapidly the drawing evolved from what Thyra described as mere scribbles into fully developed characters within a setting. Thanks to the PSB Foundation, every student was given a signed copy of the book.

A first-grade student was overflowing with excitement to share their newfound knowledge, prompting their family to reach out and say “Thank you so much for making possible the Haggerty event with Thyra Heder! My first grader came home yesterday talking about the visit nonstop and so excited to share The Bear Report with us, and it was the first thing they talked about this morning, too. I've already learned so much about Thyra's process, research, and work. It was an incredibly valuable and enriching experience, and so meaningful for them to receive their own signed (and beautiful!) book. We're so grateful to you for enriching our school community.” (First Grade Family).

The visit from Thyra Heder was an unforgettable event, making a significant impression on students, their families, and the staff alike.

Library Tech Corner

In Library Tech, fourth and fifth graders are using digital literacy skills to create an "Evil App!" This imaginary mobile app incorporates addictive design, financial manipulation, user tracking, advertising, and algorithms, similar to modern social media apps. The project helps students understand that media is crafted with specific viewpoints and purposes, while fostering critical thinking about their media consumption.

This week, students with the “Most Evil App” will receive the prestigious Evil Mustache Award. Additionally, they will have the chance to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award, which will be given to the Evil App with the most votes.

Art Corner

The recent All Cambridge Elementary Schools Art Show opened recently and went well. Here are two students who showed their yarn paintings, Eid and Sophia. While only a few students from each school show work at this event, Haggerty will be having a whole school art show in the coming months.

We recently made “interactive drawings” in some classes. The idea is to create a drawing that you use your body to effect in some way. Then we take a photo of the drawing with the interaction for the final work of art. Here are two examples, by third graders Oona and Alexi.

Corner's Corner

April Vacation is here! Looking for something free and fun to do with your child?
Head outside to the Bob Moses Math Trail! It starts at Sennott Park and winds through the Port neighborhood. Play I-Spy for shapes and numbers, jump on a giant number line, or explore colorful shapes and patterns. You can even download a special app to measure the path with fun things like apples or horses.

Virtual Caregiver ST Math Workshop
Tuesday, April 29 | 7-8PM | Online
You may have heard your child talking about Jiji the penguin or ST Math. This is a math learning and practice program that is available to Cambridge students K-5. ST Math will be doing an online family education program for the Haggerty Community on Tuesday, April 29 at 7PM. This will be an interactive opportunity to learn more about ST Math! You can join using this zoom link.

Friends of Haggerty

Support our 5th Graders Trip to Outdoor Classroom!
Please consider supporting the 5th grade end of year events and Friends of Haggerty by purchasing dinner on Monday May 5th at Fiorella’s! Fiorella’s will donate a percentage of sales when diners or callers mention the fundraiser. If ordering online, please select our fundraiser from the fundraising section and add it to your order before checking out.

Fiorella’s Belmont
263 Belmont St.
617.489.1361
https://www.fiorellas.com

Upcoming Community Events

People's Forum on Graduation Readiness
Wednesday, April 30 | 6-7:30PM | CRLS Library
MA voted to eliminate the MCAS Grad Test. It's time to decide what comes next. Come and participate in a working session to answer these 3 questions:

What should students know and be able to do by the time they graduate?
How should students demonstrate their readiness to graduate?
How can schools, pre-K to 12, support these goals?

To register and learn more about the program, please register online here and view the flyer here.

Apply for Next Year’s DHSP Afterschool Programs by May 11

The City’s Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) is now accepting applications to the DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery through Sunday, May 11. Cambridge families can apply to all four afterschool program models through a single online application process.

Program	Age Eligible
Childcare Afterschool Programs Community Schools Afterschool Programs	Kindergarten - 5th graders
Cambridge Youth Programs	4th - 8th graders
King Open Extended Day program	King Open School students in Kindergarten - 5th grader

Eligibility: Cambridge children entering Kindergarten – Grade 8 in September 2025 are eligible to apply
Cost: Tuition is determined based on household size and income
Re-enrollment: Children currently enrolled in a DHSP afterschool program can re-enroll in the same program by completing an application by the deadline. Open seats are filled through a lottery process.

Families will be notified of their child’s placement in a program or in the Waiting Pool by the end of June. To learn more and apply, visit cambridgema.gov/AfterschoolLottery.

¡Ser Súper is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!
Saturday, April 26 | 11AM - 12:30PM | Harvard Museum of Natural History, Romer Hall (Third Floor)
Join us for fun-filled storytime in English and Spanish that celebrates the power of being bilingual! This family-friendly workshop includes: a story in Spanish and English, hands-on arts and crafts, and learning the importance of bilingualism at a young age. For more information, please view the flyer here (available in English & Spanish). Free admission is available with registration. Please register online here.

26th Annual Cambridge Public Library Poetry Contest (Open to K-8 Cambridge Students)
Submit your original poems by Wednesday, April 30 for this year's contest!
The Cambridge Public Library Annual Youth Poetry Contest, started in 1998, celebrates original poetry written by kids in kindergarten through eighth grade (or the age equivalent) in Cambridge. Every spring, winning poems are selected from each grade. Winners are invited to a special ceremony to read their poem aloud and receive an award. To learn how to submit your poem, please visit the online page here.

Register for Youth Sports & Enrichment Programs
Late Spring 2025 | April 28 - June 22 (No Classes on May 26 & June 19)
For more details on specific sport leagues and sports and enrichment classes, scan the QR code here to browse programs and register.

BCEOC's 60th Anniversary Block Party
Saturday, May 3 | 1-5PM | 11 Inman Street, Central Square
Join us for our “Stronger Together" Block Party in front of our Central Square building, featuring live performances, free food, tai chi, kids’ activities, and Together We Rise awards honoring several anti-poverty champions. You'll also find the Housing Resource Lane, hosted by the City, with information on affordable housing, eviction resources, your housing rights, and more. For more information, please visit our online event page here or view the flyer here.

Cambridge Healthy Smiles