CSUS Tuesday Take Home: December 9, 2025

Message from Christen Sohn

Good afternoon CSUS parents and caregivers,

December is underway! This week our 8th graders are hard at work exploring two-variable statistics in Algebra and civil rights in Civics. 7th graders are learning about Newton’s Three Laws in Science and finishing reading The Outsiders in ELA. 6th graders are investigating the origins of complex societies in Social Studies and discussing their likes and dislikes in French. Watch for teachers’ monthly curriculum updates via ParentSquare for even more information about what your child is learning this month, and what questions you can ask at home to hear more about their day at school.

See below for more information about this week’s homework, next week’s Band and Orchestra concert, an upcoming opportunity for grief support for scholars at CSUS, next week’s Caregiver Academy and School Council, Grade 8 Amp’d Math support, information about food resources, and a reminder about travel and absences. There is also an important update from our Parent Caregiver Organization!

Artist of the Week

The Children’s Room at CSUS 
Has your child experienced the loss of a parent, sibling, or close family member? Would you like to get some extra support for them? This winter Alli will be co-facilitating a small group at CSUS with a specialist from The Children's Room to offer some extra connection and support. See attached flyer and contact Ms. Armstrong-Javors with any questions.

CSUS Homework Expectations and Weekly Homework Calendars
In an effort to keep scholars, caregivers, and out of school time providers informed regarding weekly assignments, our teaching teams are sharing weekly homework calendars. These will be posted on our website for reference and easy access.

Grade 8 Weekly Homework 
Grade 7 Weekly Homework 
Grade 6 Weekly Homework

Interested in knowing more about what’s happening in classrooms? Check ParentSquare for monthly curriculum updates from your child’s teaching team! 

Food Resources for Eligible School-Aged Cambridge Residents
The below options are also available during school hours for ALL students:

• All students have access to FREE breakfast and lunch every school day. View the daily menus here. **CSUS cafeteria doors open at 8AM for scholars who would like breakfast** Breakfast options are available through arrival and until classes begin at 8:45AM. 
• CPS Food Services is making meals more substantial by adding more protein options to daily menus. 
• Students may visit salad bars more than once during meals for additional fruit and vegetables. 
• Students are encouraged to use the “share tables” in the cafeterias. Students who have wrapped, unused food items can place them on the share table for others to take as needed. 
• If you need additional support or want to visit a local free food market, find all options here. 

Reminder Regarding Travel and Extended Absences 
Please be reminded of the protocol for extended vacations. If you are planning to travel for an extended period of time, the principal and classroom teachers/advisors must be notified in advance of travel dates. Any trip resulting in more than 10 days of absences requires sabbatical paperwork to be submitted in order to maintain your child’s enrollment in the school. All academic work assigned by teachers will need to be made up before, during or after travel. It is also important to recognize that students who miss significant amounts of instruction, learning, and assessment may fall behind in their grades regardless of if the absence is excused or unexcused. 

Lost and Found reminder 
We have accumulated a number of lost items (coats, water bottles, even boots and shoes!) that we would love to return to their owners. These items will be on display at the Winter Band and Orchestra concert this week for caregivers to review, and we will also make them available in the lobby if scholars want to check for lost belongings. Any items in our care for 3 or more months will be donated at break

Join us for Caregiver Academy next Thursday December 18 from 5:30-7:00 at CSUS
Session 2 is “Technology and Social Media: Digital World Navigation” This session addresses the impact of the digital world on student safety, learning, and behavior. We will provide specific tools for handling screen time, cyberbullying, and understanding emerging modern issues like AI.

Dinner at 5:30PM
Presentation and conversation from 6 - 7PM 
We hope to see you there! 

Our first Caregiver Academy session last week was Social Emotional Learning, Adolescent Development and Mental Health. Here are the slides; a recording from last week’s session will be available soon on our website.

CSUS School Council update 
Our CSUS School Council held its second meeting on Thursday November 20. We reviewed the the School Improvement Plan (SIP) Social Emotional Learning goals, looked at some school data, and discussed our school’s plans for supporting SEL at CSUS over the coming year. Thank you to those who joined us. 

The School Council’s next meeting will be Thursday, December 18 following Caregiver Academy and will continue last month’s discussion around Social Emotional Learning and support.

Grade 8 AMP’d Math Support Program
The AMP’d (Advanced Math Pathway Diversified) Math Support Program is an opportunity for Grade 8 students to strengthen their understanding of Grade 8 math. AMP’d lessons are offered virtually. The program will run from December 8, 2025, through May 8, 2026. 

All Grade 8 students are invited! 

• Students can attend AMP’d math lessons as often as they need. Students may choose to attend daily or focus on certain lessons specific to their individual needs. 
• Lessons are self-led through Google Classroom. Staff will host office hours several times throughout the program for additional support.

Access the AMP’d Math Support Program flyer here >>
(አማርኛ | | عريب | বাংলা | Kreyòl ayisyen | Español) 

Questions? Contact Meghan Papalardo at mpapalardo@cpsd.us.

Upcoming important Dates 

• December 17: Grade 7 Vision & Hearing Screening
• December 17: Winter Concert | 5:30-7PM
• December 18: Caregiver Academy | 5:30 - 7PM | CSUS
  • Session 2 topic is Technology and Social Media: Digital World Navigation
• December 18: School Council meeting following Caregiver Academy | 7PM 
• December 23: Early Dismissal 12:45PM
• December 24 - January 5: Winter Vacation - No School

Thank you for entrusting us with your scholars’ education. Have a wonderful week, and Go Cobras!

Christen

Head of School
Cambridge Street Upper School

 

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Cambridge Street PCO Update

Hello families, 

As we all settle into the rhythm of December, we hope you’re finding small moments of ease. Winter weather has certainly come early and as temperatures drop, remember to wrap up warm.

As one of the busiest months continues, here are some important updates from your PCO:

Warm Clothes Drive
As winter sets in, we know our kids don't always dress for the colder temperatures.

For those who forget, lose items or get too damp after recess, we'd like to have a range of items available for them to pick up. If you're able, please drop items off in the "bin" provided which will be located just inside the main door of the school:

• hats 
• gloves 
• scarfs 
• socks 
• sweatpants (new or gently used) 
• sweatshirts (new or gently used) 

Thanks again to Shadi Khadivi for suggesting this.

Upcoming Events
Orchestra & Band Winter Concert & Bake Sale next Wednesday, December 17th 
Please fill in the spreadsheet if you're able to either help sell or make some delicious goodies to sell at the concert. 

Annual Appeal from next Thursday, December 18th 
Information will be sent out soon. Don't forget to ask your company about donation matching - it doesn't cost you anything more.

Winter Gift Card Drive
As we approach the winter break, the PCO is again preparing to support families in our community who may be facing added financial strain, including those affected by recent changes to federal assistance programs. 

Contributions will help us provide gift cards to families who need extra support during the break. 

If you’re in a position to give, your donation—no matter the amount—will make a meaningful difference. 

Scan the QR code or click the link below to contribute:

cambridgestreetpco.square.site/vacation-week-gift-card-drive 

CSUS PCO Monthly Meeting
Next PCO Meeting will be in January 2026.

Questions about the PCO?
You can find the answers here or send an email to info@cambridgestreetpco.org. 

Warm regards, 

Shalini Ayre 
President, CSUS-PCO