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Click here for Middle School Opportunities Spring 2021

MSN Community Announcements: March meeting

3/25/2021

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MSN Community Announcements (from our March meeting): 
  • MSN Team: tell us about your summer plans! We are getting many questions and it helps us to know what you DO know, even if it doesn't feel like much! 
  • Emily Meyer, CPL: Cambridge Public Libraries still have lots to offer even though you can't go in their buildings! Please spread the word with this info on available library services in seven languages: printable brochure and online flyer.
  • Matias Ramos, PBHA: The Harvard Black Men’s Forum has pivoted PBHA's David Walker Scholars Program to an online structure this year and are inviting all black, masculine identifying youth (up to 12th grade) to join. Email dws@pbha.org for Zoom link, meeting Saturdays at 12pm. Goal is to empower young, black men and masculine identifying individuals in the Cambridge and Greater Boston Area through education and mentorship to instill a strong sense of black cultural and historical pride and prepare students to tackle challenges they may face as young adults of color in America. We engage in meaningful discussions about life, participate in fun games and activities, and offer academic support. 
  • David Landrigan, Navigation Games: check out outdoor events coming up in parks: https://www.navigationgames.org/upcoming-events, David.Landrigan@NavigationGames.org
  • George Hinds, OWD: Mayor's Program dates are tentatively planned for 7/6-8/13. Application window for young people will still be after April Vacation or early May, exact dates TBA. Virtual and in person job sites available.
  • Barb MacEachern, STEAM Initiative: Cambridge Science Festival (Entire month of April) Check out the link to see how you and your young people can get involved!  
  • Ayesha Wilson: Elevate Youth is continuing to accept applications from families of 4th and 5th graders until capacity is met, meets at Danehy and Sennott Park through summer. For those who are interested, please text “CAMBRIDGE” to 857-995-8050 or email Elevate Youth’s Program Coordinator Cam Regan at cam@elevate-youth.org 
  • David Landrigan: two community announcements: 
    • There is a group meeting with Dr Turk at CPS about outdoor learning aimed at both immediate needs and long term - if you have thoughts or want to be in the conversation email me: David.Landrigan@NavigationGames.org 
    • City Managers office is looking for community members to join the police advisory board to look at how police do policy and review individual incidents  
  • Ayesha Wilson, Work Force: we will be doing a 6 week summer program for rising 8th graders, looking to recruit 20 young people who are CHA residents, if you have someone in mind, email me their email address and parents name! Email awilson@cambridge-housing.org. 
  • Puja Kranz-Howe (she/her) YWCA Cambridge: GOLD is launching a pilot program for non binary young people for all of July, two days a week.  Looking for middle schoolers/high schoolers who would be interested in joining a paid focus group to plan a Gender Expansive Summer Program. Flyer coming soon! pkranz-howe@ywcacam.org.
  • Deanna Wu, Cambridge Public Health: CPH is offering mini-grants to organizations (see section later in newsletter) From MSN, we're also looking for 1) your input on the mini grant application (mental health is so broad, we need ideas for how to focus it and give it more structure so that organizations have an easier time applying), 2) information on the best way(s) for organizations to access the application, and 3) a diverse group of people to review applications. This is our first time offering mini grants and we'd like for it to be as equitable and inclusive as possible. Please contact   dewu@challiance.org with input/feedback/questions! 
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What does remote schooling look like for CPS Upper Schoolers?

10/20/2020

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We have had many requests for the slides from our September meeting - especially those on the Upper School student schedules and summarizing the status for CPS schools and reopening. Here they are - please also feel free to email us with questions. Do you see an opening where you could serve young people within their virtual school schedules?  Let us know and we can help you connect and explore the possibility of working with school staff on complementary programming or structure during asynchronous periods. Also, here are links to the specific schools' remote learning websites: 
  • Amigos K-8 Remote Learning Website
  • Cambridge St Upper School (CSUS) Remote Learning
  • Putnam Ave (PAUS) Remote Learning Home for families 
  • Rindge Ave Upper (RAUC) Learning at Home website
  • Vassal Lane Upper School (VLUS) Remote Learning Hub
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MSN October Updates : Group Problem Solving

10/20/2020

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Thanks to all of you who joined for our October meeting - we had a mix of new and familiar faces. 

Here’s a PDF of slides from the meeting (links are still clickable)

In case you missed it: 
We reviewed our big picture basics on school reopening (the October date for the youngest learners to return to in-person is quickly approaching), criteria and metrics that CPS is posting on their website (see slides) and the conversation from the previous night’s School Committee meeting.
We had a great Q&A session about remote schooling with input and answers from school-based staff in four schools - Mariel Santos Dugan (Guidance Counselor at Amigos) Julia Ho (School Partnerships at RAUC) Dami Oluwole, Youth Connector at CSUS and Ted Hirsch from CCSC. We talked about what attendance looks like, struggles or strategies for video on/video off engagement and what homework looks like, among other things. 


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Join us for October 7th MSN Meeting

10/5/2020

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Don't miss it! This Wednesday (Oct 7th) is our second MSN Meeting of the year  - 10am-12pm in the Zoomiverse.  Please Register here.

The focus for this meeting: group problem solving. Based on issues raised in our last meeting, we have a few suggestions (for more, see these visuals), and will be opening up the space to propose and hold breakout groups on the issues they are facing. Here are some ideas to give you a sense of content: 
  • Where to get info on what is happening in Upper Schools - and how to partner with them if possible
  • PD needs and benefits for staff
  • Creative ideas for engaging virtual programming
  • Use of incentives for middle school participation
Bring your creativity, your empathy and frustrations (yes, there are so many) to the table. Also, we will smile and laugh, cause we all need that too. 
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Photo above: remember when we could all meet in person? Rachel and Marlees in their thinking poses at an MSN meeting last January
​

Zoom link for the meeting.
Link to full invite info with call-in numbers
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September 9th, Join us for Middle School Network

9/8/2020

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Join us to talk about this question - and more - for our first MSN Meeting of the year TOMORROW, Wed, Sept 9th, from 10am-12pm.  Register here.  
Zoom link for the meeting: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88165057898?pwd=b0dOQUlxbU1adDc0akR6d05kZ1dzUT09 

Link to full invite info with call-in numbers 
 
Photo above: new artwork from Roberto Levins Morales ​


We will spend the first section of the meeting looking at Upper School remote learning schedules for this year and trying to imagine 'a day in the life' of a young person this fall. We will also review what decisions haven't been made, and what's still unclear.

After that, we will open the discussion to hear from each other on these four questions: 
  • What are you concerned about? 
  • What questions do you have?
  • What reflections/learnings do you have coming out of summer programs?
  • From your vantage point: what is needed for OST providers to be able to serve young people this fall? 
As a network, we will decide on action steps as we figure out how support each other and young people this fall. This is when you depend on your network! Be part of it! ​
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And the Summer Begins …

7/6/2020

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Photo above: artwork from Roberto Levins Morales holding up Fred Hampton, another black man lost to police violence. He was a fighter for justice and power to the people, and his legacy should never be forgotten. 
July. And the summer begins. 
 
We know it doesn't feel the same this year. But that does not have to be a bad thing. There is movement happening on major racial justice issues that have always severely affected our community. There is trauma, raw pain and reckoning, and the need for healing, centering, listening and learning. 
 
There are still young people in their homes wanting connection, challenge and love from adults in their community, especially now. 
 
Oh, and did I mention that meanwhile, many of us are trying to run virtual summer programs for the first time? If you are in this camp, we will reschedule our Peer Share hour in the next couple of weeks to create a space for talking with others who are wrestling with the new dynamics of virtual programming.

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MSN June 2020 Meeting: Highlights

6/9/2020

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Our June gathering focused on difficult conversations about race, police brutality and systemic inequity, and talking about it on three levels of our world - with ourselves, with our team/staff members and with young people. Why all three? Because the largest level - our society, our world, will always be a reflection of the small ways in which we do things, not the other way around. ​
​

After this first section and breakout group on how you’ve been preparing yourself to have difficult conversations (and sustaining yourself through the toll that they take), MSN folks shared some concrete takeaways: 

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Some Summer 2020 Updates for Middle School Students

5/29/2020

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Hello!  Hope to see you at our next MSN Zoom Meeting next week, June 3rd.  Register here!

Summer is fast approaching and I know you all have questions about what programs are available and how to register. Below are a few options that are currently recruiting for a virtual summer.  Check out FindItCambridge.org for more information on summer. 

 CitySprouts Summer Program A 5 week project-based STEM program for 11-14 year olds. Program will be run remotely this year. It is no cost to families. Participants will receive a $100 stipend once completed. Applications accepted until June 12th. Here is the link to the application: https://www.citysprouts.org/summer-application-2020

Summer Ink day camps to transform the writing skills of students in 5th through 8th grade through adventure, sports, and arts activities. 1- week sessions beginning July 6-July 31st. A box of materials for the program will be provided for participants. Find the application here: https://bit.ly/2TObGsy

Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program (CYEP) camp offering academic enrichment in Cambridge. Camp will run from Monday July 6th-Friday, August 7th. CYEP will offer 2-3 hours per day of online workshops and one on one mentoring and tutoring.  Staff will provide families with activities that they can do at home.  Camps will also send home a summer activity kit with materials for art, STEM, and physical movement. Cost: $40. You can find the application here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4823898

For girls and those who identify with girlhood:
Science Club for Girls Virtual Rocketry Program: Free for girlx in 5-8th grade. Participants will be making model rockets, talking about women astronauts and aerospace engineering and then launching the rockets in small groups.  SCFG will drop off a box of materials to each girl before the program. Program will take place over Zoom  July 6-July 17, 1:30pm - 3:30pm Mondays-Fridays. Applications are due by June 30th. Here is the link to the application: https://www.tfaforms.com/4812458

For current 7th graders only:
Work Force Summer Learning and Literacy Program a free six-week summer program for rising 8th grade (current 7th grade) The goal is to empower students to become active owners of and advocates in their own education.  Through youth-initiated research, group projects, peer to peer learning, guest speakers, and field trips. Students receive  up to a $200 Stipend for full participation in the program. You can find the application here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4813892

For current 8th graders only:
Upward Bound : College prep program for rising 9th graders going to CRLS in September. There will be no residential element this year. Families should complete the Student Pre-Application to determine their  eligibility to continue on to the full application process.

N.B. The City of Cambridge still intends to offer the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program this summer. There are no updates at this time. 

--
Medjine Lucien
Youth Connector
Putnam Ave Upper School 
Middle School Network 
Cambridge Youth Programs/Moses Youth Center
Phone: (857) 209-4524
Pronouns: she, her, hers
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Join us for the Next MSN Meeting, June 3, 2020 10am

5/27/2020

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Register here for our next Middle School Network.
Video conference information will be posted prior to the meeting time.
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Responsive School Counseling during COVID-19

4/29/2020

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Annie’s intro: When we think of a school counselor, most of us likely don’t imagine a face in a square box on a screen. Yet we also know that young people need support from adults who care about them, are trained in difficult situations, and ready to help. But what does that look like, especially for young people who have trouble asking for help? When something is not feeling right, they can’t just stop by for a chat anymore.

​Mariel Santos-Dugan, School Counselor at Amigos K-8, writes about some of the approaches she’s tried in adapting how she gives and offers support. Mariel also works at Amigos on getting young people into out-of-school-time programs, and has previously worked in Boston Public Schools as a high school counselor.  


Mariel Santos-Dugan:  These last few weeks of distant learning have been challenging as I have struggled to come up with the best ways to reach out to my students. I found guidance and support through two Facebook Groups created to support school counselors to connect and share resources; Caught In The Middle School Counselors and Elementary School Counselor Exchange.


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