Haggerty Holler: September 27, 2024

Posted on 09/27/2024

Kindergarten Apple Picking Fun

On Thursday, September 19th, our Kindergartener’s went apple picking at Smolak Farm in Andover, MA. There was one exciting moment after another, beginning with a ride on the big yellow school bus - a first for many! At the farm, they went on a tractor ride, picked apples, ate a cider donut, played in the farm playground, fed the farm animals, and had lunch!

Thanks to Friends of Haggerty for supporting our annual apple picking adventure! This trip also serves as a very interactive beginning to the student’s study of the Seasons. Thanks also to all the Kindergarten teachers and caregiver chaperones who helped make this trip run so smoothly.

New Staff

Welcome John Burgess!

Physical Education Teacher for 4th and 5th grade

Haggerty Guidebook

The Haggerty guidebook covers many topics regarding our school. It should help answer some of your frequently asked questions, for example, “what do I do if I know my child will be late to school?” or “how does Haggerty celebrate birthdays?”

Please review the guidebook and please let Lissa know if you have any questions.

Read the Haggerty Guidebook here >>

Math Corner

Check out our Math at Haggerty website for many resources, including ideas for games and activities to do with your children. The front page features my “bitmoji math room,” created during the pandemic. And if you want more information about our curriculum, the Family Resources page has a link to the Illustrative Math Family Support Hub.

Have fun exploring!

Mathily Yours,
Nili, AKA Ms. Pearlmutter, Haggerty Math Coach

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. We had 146 sticky notes with suggestions on our bulletin board! Here is a sampling of those suggestions: Knuffle Bunny, I Want My Hat Back, Sandwich Swap, Matilda, Big, The Book Thief, The Gorilla Did It, and Finding Winnie. Come check out the library wall for more suggestions.

Your thoughtful suggestions have enriched our students' reading lists and sparked meaningful literary discussions among them. Thank you for inspiring a love for reading in our students!

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Brianna Mency, School Librarian ([email protected])

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Corner

This year at Haggerty we have rolled out a new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum called Wayfinder.

Wayfinder’s curriculum provides tools and strategies to help support students’ social and emotional development and learning.

Wayfinder’s curriculum is designed to meet students across all grades and follows the 6 core skills: Purpose, Self-awareness, Adaptability, Empathy, Collaboration, and Agency. Over the course of this year, Haggerty students will come together with their teachers and staff to build on these skills.

Here’s the LINK if you want more information!

OR you can reach Aline Kassabian, school social worker, at [email protected].

Art Corner

We started out the school year with portfolio making. This year, students will keep their finished and unfinished work in portfolios, and bring home work only a few times a year. This has a couple advantages. First, it gives students the chance to work back into any projects. Unlike other subjects, determining when a work of art is complete is part of the artistic process, and artists often work back into pieces after some time and reflection. Secondly, keeping work in portfolios and only bringing home occasionally helps work not get lost and damaged on the trip home. It also helps to show student growth when they can compare their earlier work to their latest.

The first unit has Kindergarten and first grade creating The Very Hungry Caterpillar inspired art. Second through fifth grade started out with a unit on Op-art, and we are practicing art techniques while creating optical illusions.

Anthony Reynolds, Art Teacher

Ragnar Relay for Friends of Haggerty - Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who supported the Ragnar 200 mile Relay Race for Friends of Haggerty! Thanks to the support of caregivers, friends and local businesses - we met our fundraising goal!

International Potluck

Thursday, October 17 | 6-7:30PM | Haggerty Gymnasium and Cafeteria

We need some families to help host a cultural table to represent a specific country. Are you willing to help with that? I can connect you to other families or staff who can help! I also added some questions to the form regarding other help - like with set-up, decorations, and clean up. Here is the form to sign up to help with a table or other help.

Fill out the sign up form here>>

It’s always a very fun evening! It’s a family night - so students must be accompanied by an adult. It takes place in the gymnasium and cafeteria.

Free Food Markets

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

See the full list of free food markets for the 2024-2025 school year.

Upcoming Community Events

Cambridge Science Festival
September 23 - 29
Celebrate science during this city-wide Science Festival! With activities throughout the city, you will surely find something to explore. The festival will close with a Science Carnival on Sunday. Check out the full schedule here.

DCR Quabbin Reservoir Educational Programs for Schools (Remote)
The DCR Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor Center located at the Quabbin Reservoir offers free educational programs to schools and community groups throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The programs cover a wide variety of topics including water conservation and natural resource management, history of the Quabbin Valley towns and Massachusetts wildlife. Programs can be geared toward any age group.

Click here to learn more about these programs. Email [email protected] for more information.

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.

You can receive a free laptop if: you live in Cambridge, are low-income, and looking for a job or career development classes. You can receive free internet hotspot if: all of the above AND you don’t have internet access at home. Learn more about the program here.

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
massdigitaljedi.org
[email protected]

STEAM It Up!
October 24 | 6-8PM | Rindge Avenue Upper Campus/Peabody Elementary School
Explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) during our STEAM It Up event this fall. This Cambridge-wide event for preschoolers- 8th grade will feature fun STEAM events and free pizza! Save the date now!

Cambridge Wrestling Fall 2024
Sundays, September 22 - November 3 | 2:30 - 4PM | Cambridge War Memorial Recreation Center, 1640 Cambridge Street, 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. September 29 is when our first 6-week session officially begins. Instruction of universal fundamental movements, wrestling techniques, sparring, and games. Include official youth coaches formally trained and certified. Requirements: Sit Still, Focus, Participate. Coaches Include: Ivy League Alum, State Championship Champion & Place-Winners, Former College Coaches, CRLS Varsity Coaches + Team Members + Teachers.
Register here >>
View flyer >>

PHBA X Harvard Presents Harmony
Run by Harvard undergraduates, HARMONY offers no cost, one-on-one instrumental and vocal lessons to K-12 low-income students in the Greater Boston area. Lessons are available either in person (at Harvard) or over Zoom. Lessons will begin in October. Registration by Friday, September 27 at 11:59PM.
View flyer >>

Equity Grant Opportunities
We invite students, educators, and caregivers to apply! Do you have an idea for a project to eliminate academic, racial, socio-economic, and/or other opportunity gaps*, or to address inequities in Cambridge Public Schools? We now have two funding options:

OEIB Mini-Grants (up to $1000) - rolling applications
The Equity Collaborative ($500-$5000) - due Nov. 5

Learn more here >>

View flyer >>

Cambridge Families of Color Coalition
Welcome to the Cambridge Families of Color Coalition, a warm and inclusive community of Families of Color dedicated to supporting and empowering one another and our students. We are committed to fostering racial, social, and economic equity, and we invite you to join us on this transformative journey. To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website or view this flyer.

Bay State Skating School: Learn to Skate Classes
Saturdays starting October 5 | 2PM | Cambridge Simoni Rink
Develop recreational, figure and hockey skating skills through our Learn to Skate Classes. Classes are available to children ages 4 - 18. To learn more about class details and registration, please visit our website.
View flyer >>

Cambridge Youth Flag Football League Fall 2024 Season
Sunday mornings, September 22 - October 27 | Russell Field
Welcome to the Cambridge Youth Flag Football Program! In collaboration with USA Football and NFL Flag, we offer an exciting array of gameplay formats designed to foster skill development, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
Learn more here >>

MCCPS Meet & Greet Picnic
October 5 | 12-3PM | Danehy Park Picnic Tables
Join us for outdoor fun, relaxation, and connections with MCCPS. Everyone is welcome! Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic, and enjoy the day.
RSVP here >>
View flyer >>

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.
massdigitaljedi.org
[email protected]

Cambridge Wrestling Fall 2024

Sundays, September 22 - November 3 | 2:30 - 4PM | Cambridge War Memorial Recreation Center, 1640 Cambridge Street, 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. September 29 is when our first 6-week session officially begins.

Instruction of universal fundamental movements, wrestling techniques, sparring, and games
Official Youth Coaches Formally Trained and Certified

Requirements:

Sit Still
Focus
Participate

Coaches Include:

Ivy League Alum
State Championship Champion & Place-Winners
Former College Coaches
CRLS Varsity Coaches + Team Members + Teachers

Volunteer in Our School Cafeteria

The City of Cambridge is looking for volunteers to help our students recycle and compost properly after breakfast and lunch.

No experience is necessary.
This can be a long- or short-term commitment, but the most help is needed in September.
Fill out the form here.

Questions? Contact [email protected] or call 617.349.4836

Cambridge Participatory Budgeting Process

The City of Cambridge has launched the 11th cycle of Participatory Budgeting (PB11) and is seeking ideas from the community on how to spend $1 million on projects to improve Cambridge. The Idea Collection phase will be open from August 26, 2024 – October 1, 2024. Learn more about the PB Cambridge process here. All Cambridge community members, including all CPS students, are eligible to submit ideas for PB!