June 23, 2021
Dear FMA Families,
Congratulations, we’ve made it to the finish line of a historic year! Enjoy your summer break, relax, and spend lots of quality time with those you love. I may send periodic updates mid & late summer, but please take your time with reading and responding. I look forward to seeing you back rested and rejuvenated next fall!
Upcoming Dates
- 6/23 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (Early Dismissal 11:45AM)
- Sept. 1, 2, 8 - Staff In-Service Days
- Sept. 3rd - Leadership Team Meeting 8:30AM
- Sept. 9th - First day of school for grades 1-12
- Sept. 13 - First day of school for PK/JK/K
Celebrations and Shout Outs
- What exciting EOY celebrations! Check ‘em out on FMA’s social media sites!
- PHENOMENAL presentations by 4th graders at the Juneteenth celebration. You made us all #FMAproud!
- End-of-Year Countdown = 0 Wake Up Mornings (“WUMs”) left! WE MADE IT!
Remembering Those We Lost
Alicia Fine’s memorial is being planned tentatively June 18th by her family. More details will be shared when it becomes available.
The FMA PTO is accepting monetary donations for blue shamrocks and hearts to be decorated and posted on the walls throughout the school in Alicia’s and Julia’s memories. If you would like to contribute towards FMA memorial planning, you can donate here.
Early Release 6/23
The final early release day of the year is the last day of school on June 23rd. We will have a staggered dismissal as follows:
- 11:35 - PK/JK/K
- 11:40 - 1/2/3
- 11:45 - 4/5
Staffing Updates
FMA welcomes back Coach Evan Allen back from paternity leave! Be sure to join him for an optional final All-School PE of the year at 8:30 a.m. today!
FMA bids a fond farewell to Ms. Anjum Ahmed as she relocates to Colorado. Ms. Ahmed has been a beacon of light at FMA this year and her presence will greatly be missed! See below from Ms. Ahmed:
“I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to teach and learn alongside so many amazing educators! I am excited for my next adventure, but I will miss all of you dearly. Thank you for all of your support in the craziest of school years!”
EOY Checklist *ACTION ITEMS*
Report Cards
Digital report cards will be emailed today on the last day of school. Hard copies of report cards were sent home in the backpacks of in-person scholars yesterday. Report cards were also available for pick-up at school yesterday for remote learners during the Reading Celebration. If you did not pick up your scholar's report card, it will be mailed to you.
Your child’s report card reflects his/her progress towards the end of the year academic expectations. Benchmarks are used to describe what your child should be able to do at the end of this school year. These benchmarks are reported during the winter and spring to reflect academic growth. This is not a comparison with other students in the class. The letters E, M, A, NI and the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 do not correspond with MCAS or letter grades like A, B, C, or D. See below for the key to explain progress ratings:
E = Exceeding grade level expectations (this rating is reserved for the end of the school year after consistently demonstrating skill mastery and beyond)
M = Meeting - making appropriate progress toward meeting grade level level expectations by the end of the year
A = Approaching - making some progress toward grade level expectations but additional support may be needed
NI = Needs Improvement - not making adequate progress to meet grade level expectations by the end of the year
NA = Net Yet Introduced - This skill has not yet been taught
4 = Demonstrates proficiency
3 = Showing steady growth
2 = Progressing with support
1 = Not yet evident
N = Not yet introduced
All students will also receive ratings for progress in Social and Emotional Growth and Study Skills/Work Habits. If you have any questions about your scholar’s report card, please contact your child's teacher.
Returning Chromebooks & Wifi Hotspots
Teachers in person are collecting Chromebooks on the last day of school June 23rd. Remote students should return their Chromebook, charger, and wifi hotspot to the Mobile Help Desk beginning June 23rd. The Mobile Help Desk will be extending their schedule on June 24th through the following week ending July 2nd from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to give more flexibility on the returns. In addition, the hotspots that were provided to families are expected to be returned during this time as well.
Moving? Update Your Contact Information
By noon on Wed., June 23rd, please email Linda Barnes (lbarnes@cpsd.us), Ms. Hood-Brown (dhoodbrown@cpsd.us), and Dr. Rounds (mrounds@cpsd.us) your updated mailing address if you will be moving this summer.
EOY Surveys
Please complete THIS FAMILY SURVEY by noon June 23rd to share your scholar’s experiences this year to inform future planning for next year.
Summer Learning
If you are still looking for a summer program for your scholar, please click on the links below and browse to select interests.
It is essential to support your scholar this summer by aiming for the following reading and math goals by grade level:
Math Fact Fluency
- Students should be able to do the following on the 1st day of school:
- PK/JK - Count to 10 by rote; Identify written numerals 0-10
- K - Count to 20 by rote; write numbers 0-10
- 1st - Write numbers to 50 (40 digits per minute)
- 2nd - Write 60 digits per minute; add/subtract 12 problems per minute (24 in two minutes)
- 3rd - Add/subtract 25 problems per minute (50 in two minutes; 100 in 5 minutes)
- 4th - Multiply 30 problems per minute (60 in two minutes; 100 in 5 minutes)
- 5th - Addition - 35 problems per minute (70 in two minutes)
- Subtraction 35 problems per minute (70 in two minutes)
- Multiplication 35 problems per minute (70 in two minutes)
- Division 35 problems per minute (70 in two minutes)
CLICK HERE for Math benchmark goals mid/end-of-year. Make it a game and keep it fun! Over 30 fun math facts online practice games can be found here.
Reading
- Students should be able to read sight words at the grade level they recently completed in order to be ready for the next grade level. Please read with your scholar this summer using these Dolch sight words lists by grade level.
- Reading fluency goals for reading connected text (sentences, paragraphs, passages) are below:
Symphony Math
All students have access to Symphony Math this summer.
School To Home Instructions
Computer/Laptop: In a web browser, go to mysymphonymath.com.
iPad: Download the free SymphonyMath app from the App Store.
Sign in details
School To Home Instructions
Account#: 4964
Username: student ID number
Password: abc123
Any questions you can email: Kelly Rowan
SY21-22
Looking ahead to fall, we have received state guidance that all Massachusetts school districts will be required to be in-person, full-time, five days each week for the 2021-22 school year. This means families will not have the option of remote learning through CPS this fall. As we learn more information, we will share more details. Other important updates are below:
1. Classroom Assignments
You will receive your child’s classroom assignment in September before the first day of school. You can expect to receive outreach from your child’s new teacher in early September. If you have questions, please email mrounds@cpsd.us.
2. ELT
FMA will continue next year as an Expanded Learning Time (ELT) school with an extended 8-hour learning day. We look forward to providing robust learning experiences and enrichment opportunities for your scholar!
3. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
FMA prides itself on team collaboration. Next year, FMA educators will take this to the next level by sharing our practice during peer observations, coaching, and feedback cycles. Teachers will also provide clear, actionable feedback to paraprofessionals regularly during the year. We’re all on this learning journey together!
Family Conferences SY21-22
Family conferences will be held as follows next year:
- September - Listening conferences
- End of 1st Quarter: Nov. 8th-Nov. 26th
- End of 3rd Quarter: April 4th - April 29th
More details will be shared as these dates approach.
More Summer Opportunities
2nd Annual Cambridge City Nature Art Challenge
Information is below regarding the 2nd Annual Cambridge City Nature Art Challenge. Full information is here. A one-page fact sheet is available here.
Virtual Summer Learning
Dear Fletcher Maynard Academy Family,
Your child is invited to participate in the FREE Virtual Summer Learning Support Program!
When: July 6 – August 6th, between 9AM - 12PM
Where: Offered virtually with CPS teaching staff
Program Details:
- This online program will provide your child with targeted learning support in Reading and Math.
- Teachers will offer small group instruction to JK-5 students in Math and English Language Arts.
- Students will receive small group instruction that is targeted to their particular needs, and might include live lessons and/or video lessons that students will watch on their own time
- Students will also have a supported opportunity to connect with their peers via playful group activities that build community and belonging.
- Social-emotional check-ins will be woven into the learning time as well. Technical support will be available to all families.
This program is not required, but we believe this extra, individualized, support can be a valuable opportunity for summer learning and connection.
Fill out the online enrollment form >>
Enrollment was due by Friday, June 18th. If you are not able to complete the application online, Daniel Skerrit, the FMA Family Liaison is happy to assist. Once you enroll, program staff will reach out to you to discuss next steps, including the schedule and areas of support. If you have any questions, please contact your school principal.
Thank you,
CPS Summer Programs Team
DHSP
Beginning in July, the Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) will offer safe and engaging programming to Junior Kindergarten-8th Graders at five Community Schools Summer Camps, four CYP Pre-Teen / Middle School Summer Programs, and combination programming offered in partnership by Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) and DHSP at four school locations. Additionally, CYP will run three teen internships through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. Registration for Community Schools Summer Camps and CYP Pre-Teen / Middle School Summer Programs will be open through May 31. More information >>
Register for Community Schools Camp >>
Enjoy Your Summer!
Maisha Rounds, Ed.D
Proud Principal