Haggerty Holler: September 26, 2025

Posted on 09/26/2025

Back to School Night Success

Last Thursday evening, September 18th, was our annual Back to School Night. It was wonderful to have so many families join us! The evening started with pizza and resources in the gymnasium. There were resource tables about our Friends of Haggerty, Out-of-School Time Options, ParentSquare, and a Winter Coat Request (if you missed this, and need help getting a winter coat for your child - can you please contact). Families also visited classrooms, shared classroom spaces (Music, Art, Library, and Physical Education) and staff members their children work with. If you have any follow up questions or requests, please contact Lissa.

Thanks for kicking off the year in such a joyful way! More to come!

School-Wide Picture Day is coming Monday, Oct. 6th

Every student should have received a paper copy of the picture day options in backpack express. If you don’t want to order online (see below), and you want to order individual school photos for your child, please return the paper copy (and payment) to your classroom teacher.

Every student will get a complimentary copy of the homeroom photo.

Questions? Please contact Lissa.

Haggerty’s Annual International Potluck

Thursday, October 16 | 6 - 7:30PM | Gym & Cafeteria
Cultural Tables, Food, and Entertainment! We need your help! More details & Sign Up to Come!
Sign up here >>

Can you join us for a planning meeting? Tuesday, September 30th at 8AM (in-person & virtual - stay tuned for more info)

Math Coach's Corner

Dear Families,

At school, students use lots of tools to help them do math. Some of these tools are available in online versions. Many of them are linked in my online “Math Room.” You can find dice, spinners, cubes, pattern blocks and more. Check it out!

Mathily Yours,
Nili Pearlmutter, Haggerty Math Coach

PS You can always find information about our Illustrative Math curriculum at the Family Support Hub.

Library Corner

It was a pleasure to see and connect with everyone during Back to School Night! I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the fantastic book recommendations you shared. Here is a sampling of those suggestions: Ploof, There’s a Monster at the End of This Book, Big, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Corduroy, and Flat Stanley, and Wings of Fire. Your thoughtful suggestions have enriched our students' reading lists and sparked meaningful literary discussions among them

Exploring "Just Right" Book Selection in Grades Two and Three
In grades two and three, we are delving into strategies for choosing "just right" books. Here are several methods to assist your students in determining whether a book is too easy, just right, or too challenging.

Look at the front cover.
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 and words. Do you like the illustrations?
If you like a book, read another by the same author!
Ask a friend for a recommendation.

If you would like to discuss your child's reading journey or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to arrange an in-person or virtual meeting. Your engagement and support are invaluable as we foster a passion for reading in our students. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] to schedule a convenient time to connect. Together, we can ensure your child enjoys a rich and fulfilling reading experience.

Art Corner

Hello Haggerty community! We’ve had a great start to our year! We started out by learning classroom rules and expectations. First through fifth graders created artistic signatures, practicing bubble, block and 3D letters to creatively sign the class contract. Pre-K and kindergarten learned the routines through practice and song.

We’ve also already done a ton of art making. Our first unit centered around identity. Fourth and fifth graders created “Summer Selfies”, self-portraits in the style of a cell phone selfie, as a way to share something they did over the summer (or are looking forward to in the school year). First through third graders made “Me as a trading card”, creating self-portraits and sharing their individual interests. Our youngest students have created a few projects based on storybooks, including Scribble Monsters, I Am Enough, and The Dot.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Corner

Haggerty Rainbow Club
Rainbow Club is for any interested student in Gr. 4-5. These can be students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, students who are from LGBTQ+ families, and students who are allies.

Here we talk about family, friendships, empathy, and advocacy and creating a welcoming community here at Haggerty. Haggerty Club will meet biweekly during lunch! Any interested 4-5 student can join!

Questions? Email Ms. LaRoses at [email protected]

Upcoming Haggerty Events

Helping Your Child to Become an Independent Learner
Monday, October 6 | 6 -7PM | Zoom
Shelley Irvin will co-host with Dr. Noelle Roop, Tufts University professor and school psychologist. They'll share some research, demonstrate how they built self-awareness and independence in third graders last year, and break into groups for caregivers to share strategies. You can register here.

Superintendent Search: Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

The CPS community has several opportunities to meet and learn more about the three finalists. Upcoming engagement opportunities are scheduled before the School Committee votes to select a new Superintendent of Schools on October 6th.

Upcoming engagement sessions include:

Tuesday, September 30 (Time TBD): Finalists will participate in interviews with the School Committee. All interviews will be open to the public and will be broadcast live.

Finalists for the next CPS Superintendent of Schools are:

Lourenço Garcia, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Revere, MA
David Murphy, Interim Superintendent, Cambridge, MA
Magaly Sanchez, Chief Family Advancement Officer, Boston, MA

Learn more and read about each finalist here.

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 >>

Cartwheel Free Webinar Series
Cartwheelʼs free webinar series provides caregivers and school staff practical tools to support student and family wellness and mental health. Canʼt attend live? Register to get the replay.

View upcoming webinars >>

Resources
Food, Nutrition, & Gardening

Time to celebrate Harvest of the Month for September - Tomatoes!
- Norah’s Nutrition Nook
  - We’ve talked about our love of tomatoes here often, but did you know at one point in history tomatoes were actually feared to be poisonous? This is because tomatoes are a part of the nightshade family. Thankfully, the tomato fruit itself is totally safe to eat. Imagine a world without tomatoes!
  - Ever wonder where the name of a food comes from? For the humble tomato, the original name given was “xitomatl” which is the Aztec word for “plump fruit with a belly button.” Once early Spanish explorers came across it, they began naming it “tomate” and then English adapted it to bring us the modern day “tomato.”
  - Recipes:
NOTE: Please note, there has been a recent recall on the Good Gather frozen Southwest Style Burrito Bowl due to shellfish not being declared as a possible ingredient in the label. For many, shellfish can be a life threatening allergy. Please practice caution.
NOTE: Please note, there is unfortunately another recent recall on Gooder Foods Vegan Macaroni and Cheese for possibly containing milk as well as cashews, which were not declared on the label. Like shellfish, dairy and nuts can be life-threatening allergies. Be safe everyone!
Taste, Talk and Learn
Thursdays starting 9/18 until 10/30 | 10-11:30AM | Peabody School
Center for Families will have Taste, Talk and Learn every Thursday! Families with children 2-4 years old can join and try new foods while learning about child-friendly cooking.

Mind, Movement, & More

Applications for the Cambridge Preschool Program SY26-27 will start October 1st! It is a free program that offers quality education for 4 year olds (and in some cases, 3 year olds) in Cambridge.
Know any youth interested in joining a basketball league? Recreation's Fall Youth Basketball Leagues are open for registration! Several leagues are being offered this fall, see here for more details. Please note, there is a $30 registration fee.
The Center for Families Baby Playgroups for the Fall have begun! Connect with other Cambridge families with little ones in a safe play space for your baby.

Upcoming Community Events

Register today for Cambridge Wrestling (Kindergarten - Grade 8)
Sundays, September 28 - November 2 | 2:30-4PM | CRLS War Memorial Recreation Center (Door 15)
Join us for a 6-week youth wrestling program. Each practice is 90 minutes and available to students from kindergarten to grade 8.

Cambridge Preschool Program Enrollment Fair
Saturday, September 27 | 10AM -12PM | Cambridge Rindge and Latin Main Cafeteria (459 Broadway)
Learn more directly from the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) providers during the CPP Enrollment Fair. There will be activities, entertainment, and ice cream. Parking available at the CRLS parking lot under the tennis court at 90 Ellery Street.

Free Preschool Application for 2026-2027 Coming October 1!
Applications for the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) for the 2026-2027 school year will be accepted Wednesday, October 1 – Friday, November 14.

CPP provides access to free preschool through Cambridge Public Schools, the Cambridge Department of Human Services and Programs, and select community-based preschool and family child-care providers. Families can apply to a variety of programs through a single online application during the fall application timeframe.

A child is eligible if they live in Cambridge and are:
- 4 years old by August 31, 2026 for 4-year-old programs; or
- 3 years old by August 31, 2026 for 3-year-old programs (please note there will be limited seats for 3-year-olds, and there may be additional eligibility requirements)

The program is managed by the City’s Office of Early Childhood. Learn more about the Cambridge Preschool Program here.

How would you spend to improve the City of Cambridge?

The City of Cambridge is starting its 12th Participatory Budgeting (PB) process and wants to hear your ideas about how to spend part of the City's budget on projects to improve our community.

Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the PB process. Join us to develop all submitted ideas into the projects that appear on the ballet in March!

To submit your ideas or volunteer:

Visit: pb.cambridgema.gov
Email: [email protected]
Call: 617.349.4270

Grow with Girl Scouts: Girl Scouts Info-session
Tuesday, October 14 | 6-7PM | First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St.
Come see what Girl Scouts is all about! Free. Bring your grown-up(s) along.
RSVP here >>
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.