Haggerty Holler: October 24, 2025

Posted on 10/24/2025

Haggerty’s Annual International Potluck

Thanks to everyone who made Haggerty’s annual international potluck such a wonderful success! We had a great turnout of families! Students traveled around the world to 8 countries by visiting colorful and informative tables representing: Ethiopia, South Africa, India, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, South Korea, and Japan! The students loved visiting the displays and getting their passports stamped. We’d also like to thank David Oke, a Berkeley student, for his interactive drumming performance (representing the Yoruba culture). The food was amazing and plentiful! We had food from over 26 countries! Thanks to Friends of Haggerty for your support of this collaborative annual event!

Third Grade Visits the Stone Zoo

The third grade is studying animal classification for a unit in the CKLA (English Language Arts curriculum). So, of course, they went to the Zoo! They had a wonderful time, and learned so much! Thank you to Friends of Haggerty, and all of our chaperones and staff

Library Corner By Brianna Mency

Currently, fourth-grade students in library class are focusing on identifying “Just Right” books and working on improving their reading stamina . Before diving into book browsing and checkout, we collectively explore several strategies to assess whether a book is indeed “Just Right.”

Some strategies include:

Read the back cover or the inside flap of a hardcover.
Read the first page. Put up a finger for each word you cannot read. Did you put up all 5 fingers? This book is TOO HARD. Choose a new book. Did you hold up 0 fingers? This book might be TOO EASY. Choose a new book. Did you put up less than 5 fingers? This book is JUST RIGHT for you.
Open to the middle of the book and start reading. Is it interesting?
Flip through and look at the pictures. Do you like the illustrations?
If you like a book, read another by the same author!
Ask a friend for a recommendation.

Before scanning the barcode of each student’s book, I will ask them which strategy they used to determine whether the book is “Just Right” for them. After students have checked out their books, they can find a quiet, cozy spot to settle in and enjoy their books.

These strategies, while familiar to fourth graders, are vital for encouraging thoughtful book selection and fostering a love for reading. As students choose books that match their interests and abilities, they gain confidence and motivation, improving their reading skills and passion for literature. The library becomes an engaging hub of exploration, where students enthusiastically discuss and share their discoveries, unlocking new worlds and ideas.

In the month of September, we had over 400 books checked out. The Most Popular Book Series in September Are: If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch. You can reach me at my email: [email protected].

Music Corner

SAVE THE DATE: Family Folk Dance Night, Community Event
Tuesday, November 18 | 6-7PM (Pizza from 5:30-6PM)
Family Folk Dance Night - join together to learn New England folk dances, as well as a selection of dances from other continents. It’s a family night, so students should be supervised by an adult. Look for an RSVP soon so we can get enough pizza.

Art Corner

We’ve been busy in art class this month as projects are in full swing. Kindergarten has been learning how to work with stencils. We studied Aboriginal dot painting from Australia, and created our own versions with animals native to Massachusetts. Kindergarten, first and second grade also studied patterns, practiced creating them, and applied that to create a mixed-media leaf paintings. We learned about wax-resist watercolor, and got to experiment with how crayon and watercolor mix (or more accurately, DON’T mix). Second and third grade are using the same material but have a greater variety of subject matter to choose from. Many students are using the white crayons to create a “secret” picture that is only revealed by painting over top of it.

Fourth and fifth graders have begun a unit called “Protest Art.” We begin by looking at how art has been a key ingredient in social change, looked at examples, and studied some change-making children. Then students brainstormed what issues are important to them, created thumbnails, rough drafts, and then final works on poster board. Even though they can’t yet vote, student and young voices are critically important, as our students are the change-makers of tomorrow.

Library-Tech Corner

In Library-Tech, students in grades 4 and 5 have been engaged in their All About Me WeVideo project. They utilized a graphic organizer to detail various aspects of their lives, including:

Favorite foods they enjoy eating or making
Family members
Sports they participate in
Music they like
Games and hobbies they enjoy
Something they would like to learn more about
Likes and pet peeves

Furthermore, students investigated three facts about a place they wish to visit or have previously explored, along with a location that has a familial connection, whether it be a country or state. To gather their facts, students utilized the Culturegram app located in the CPS Library Database folder on their launchpad. Students paraphrased the information and/or incorporated quotations with correct citations.

Classes have now progressed to the stage where they are incorporating text, images, videos, transitions, and sound into their projects. In the coming weeks, students will showcase their videos to their class, and a few may even have the opportunity to have their video featured at an upcoming school-wide assembly. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch. You can reach us at our email: [email protected]s and [email protected]

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Corner

Wayfinder at Home Activity: I Wish My Family Knew!
Children write or draw a reflection about things they wish you knew about them.

Directions:

On a notecard or a piece of paper, invite your child to write things they wish you or other adults knew about them, whether academic or social.
Say, "The purpose of this activity is for you to tell me anything you want to make sure I know about you."
Your child can make up their own prompts, or respond to any selection from the list below:
- Something you love that you don't get to talk about
- Something you are struggling with
- Something you want help on
- Something you are really good at
- Some of your favorite things
- A goal you have for the future
- Something you wish I knew about you last year
- Something about you that's changed recently

Happy Wayfinding! Aline Kassabian (School Social Worker)

Community Resources

Free Food Markets

All families are welcome to stop by our free, school-based food markets. They offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry items. Free Food Markets are on select days. Please bring your own bags.

View upcoming dates and locations >>

Resources
Food, Nutrition, & Gardening

Harvard Square Business Association, in collaboration with Cambridge Community Fridge, have made Harvard Square’s first Fridge in the Square! The fridge with a pantry cupboard was designed by local Cambridge residents, operated by neighbors of the area. “With the principle ‘take what you need, leave what you can’, we aim to redistribute resources within our community to those in need on a hyper-local scale. Our work is solidarity, not charity. All are welcome to contribute to and use the community fridge.” - Volunteer Evie Hartenstein. See here for more details.

Mind, Movement, & More

Have you heard of “Show Me” by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health? It’s a free mobile app to support communication between public health or emergency workers and individuals who may experience difficulty hearing, speaking, or understanding things. This app is available for both Android and Apple.
Please reach out if there are any food, nutrition, or physical activity projects/ ideas you think the Cambridge in Motion team could help with and don't forget to follow our team on Instagram @CambMotion.

Upcoming Community Events

Community Social
Saturday, October 25 | 10:30AM - 1PM | Morse School (40 Granite Street)
Join CPS and our community partners for our first Community Social of the year. Enjoy West African dance, drumming, and unity! Lunch is provided. Registration is helpful for planning but not required.

Empower Your Digital Journey: Free Help From Digital Navigators
Digital Navigators provide one-on-one support to help you access the Internet, set up devices, and use online services effectively. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide in our community. Ready to get started? Call us today and start your digital journey! When calling in, please be sure to state your name and city you live in. Call 888.551.2167 ([email protected]). Visit website here >>

CFCC Multilingual Learner Families of Color: Listen & Learn Meeting
Thursday, November 20 | 6:30PM | Zoom
Come and share your experiences navigating CPSD and ideas around supporting our multilingual learners with Beth Kershner, Director of CPSD Multilingual Learner Education. Please register here to receive the Zoom link or scan the QR code on the flyer here.

Harvest Open House
Tuesday, October 28 | 6:30-8PM | East End House
Join us for a festive evening of fun, food, and community spirit! Celebrate the season with friends, family, and neighbors of all ages! Enjoy hands-on activities, live music, and delicious seasonal treats while discovering all that East End House has to offer. Explore our beautifully renovated early education and multi-purpose classrooms, connect with staff, and learn about our programs and exciting ways to get involved. Learn more about the event online here.

The Montage Concert
Friday, October 31 | 8PM | Sanders Theatre
The annual Harvard Band Montage concert is a joint concert of the Harvard Wind Ensemble and the Harvard University Band. The Wind Ensemble will perform original works and transcriptions of works from a wide genre. The concert will conclude with a performance of the Harvard University Band playing the traditional Harvard songs. Learn more here >>

Financial Literacy Workshop
Tuesday, October 28 | 5-7PM | Cambridge Rindge & Latin School
Join us for a Financial Literacy Workshop on Tuesday, October 28. Learn smart financial planning strategies, practical tips for saving, budgeting, and reaching your goals, and tools to build long-term financial confidence. Dinner will be served and childcare is provided.
View flyer >>

Frick or Treat on City Hall Lawn
Thursday, October 30 | 3-5PM | Cambridge City Hall
Put on your best costume and join the Mayor’s Office, the City Manager’s Office, Cambridge Police, Cambridge Fire, and other City Departments for treats and Halloween Fun at City Hall.
View flyer >>

Volunteers Needed – Help Cambridge Kids Sort Their Recycling and Food Waste!

The City of Cambridge is looking for volunteers to help our students learn to sort recycling and food waste after breakfast and lunch. This is a great opportunity to be in the schools! No experience necessary. This can be a long- or short-term commitment, but the most help is needed in September.

Questions? Contact [email protected] or call 617.349.4836.

In Our District and Community