1. THE BASICS
Note
The information below was updated for fall 2019 and much of this information will be the same year to year. Due to COVID-19, the 2020-2021 information may change from what is shown below. The Cambridge Public School Department (CPSD) will provide updated information and we will add it to this site as soon as we can. Here is the CPSD page on COVID-19.
What are regular school hours?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:55am – 3:55pm
Wednesday: 7:55am – 1:55pm
The school cafeteria is open at 7:30am.
Classrooms open at 7:55.
What is an “Early Release Day?”
Dismissal on District Early Release Days is at 1:55pm
(even if the Early Release Day is a Wednesday)
There are exceptions to this. (e.g. in 2014, Wednesday before Thanksgiving was 11:55am dismissal.)
Teachers usually send notes home reminding families of special holidays and early dismissal days.
When are school holidays?
CPSD School Calendar: http://www.cpsd.us/calendar
MLK School Calendar: http://mlk.cpsd.us/calendar
How do I found out if school is open? (e.g. snow days) Check the CPSD website: http://www.cpsd.us/
Call the 24-hour Link Line: 617.349.6513.
Watch major television and radio stations for closing announcements.
(Note: the district may place robocalls to inform families of school closings or other events or emergencies.)
2. TRANSPORTATION, DROP-OFF and PICKUP
How do I find out my child’s school bus and schedule?
The bus routes are here: http://www.cpsd.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3042869&pageId=3764254
How do I get a Bus Tag for my child?
Ask your child’s classroom teacher for a Bus application. Your child will receive a yellow bus tag that gets attached to his/her backpack.
I plan on driving. Is there parking?
No. You will need to find street parking.
Where/when do I drop off my child for school?
Children should enter at the Magee Street entrance and be brought downstairs to the cafeteria between 7:40 and 7:55. Teachers pick up the kids from the cafeteria. If you are late, you will need to enter through the main Putnam Street entrance and sign in with the front office.
Where/when do I pick up my child from school?
Children should be picked up at from the main Putnam Street entrance at 3:55pm on M, T, Th, F, and at 1:55pm on Wednesdays.
What if I need to make a change to my child’s after school transportation?
For any change in after school transportation (e.g. I can’t pick my child up, need him/her to ride the bus, etc), please notify your classroom teacher directly.
What if I’m running late?
If you are more than 5 minutes late for pick-up, your child will be brought to the main office and you will be called.
Can I have someone else pick up my child from school?
Only if that person is listed as an Emergency Pick-Up Person for your child. If the person is not listed as an Emergency Pick-up, you will need to write a note/email to your classroom teacher.
Can I check if the bus is late?
You can follow the Cambridge Buses in real time via the Bus Tracker: http://www.cpsd.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3042869&pageId=22642608
There is also a Twitter account: https://twitter.com/cps_buses
What happens if I miss my child at the bus stop?
Your child will be taken to the security office at CRLS High School, at 459 Broadway.
3. MEALS
What are my child’s options for mealtimes at school?
Your child may choose to bring food from home, or purchase meals at school. A link to Breakfast and Lunch menus can be found from this page: http://www.cpsd.us/cms/One.aspx?pageId=3457247
Teachers send home the new lunch menu every month. Sometimes menus don’t make it home by the first of the month, but can usually be found online (link above).
Breakfast: Free
Lunch: Standard $2.85
Milk: $0.50
How do I sign up for a Lunch Account?
Cambridge uses the MyLunch Money system.
You can create an account for your child and upload money, OR bring cash to the cafeteria on the first days of school and they can upload the funds for you. Note: you will need your child’s ID number.
How do snack times work?
Kindergarteners usually have one snack in the morning and one in the afternoon. Kids may bring a snack from home. Some classrooms ask parents to contribute shared snacks (e.g. crackers, goldfish). Check with your child’s teacher. Find out if there are any restrictions on snacks due to food allergies (e.g. nuts may be restricted from classroom snacktime, though allowed at lunchtime). Children may also be asked to bring a water bottle to keep in the classroom.
4. ABSENCES & TARDINESS
Who do I notify if my child is sick and won’t be coming to school?
Who do I notify if my child will be late for school?
In both cases, call the school at 617.349.6562. Leave a message with the date and time, your child’s name, teacher name, and classroom number. You may also email your child’s teacher. Whenever possible, give advance notice to your child’s teacher.
If you are late to school, you will need to go to the office to fill
out a tardy slip. Bring the slip to your child’s teacher.
5. AFTER SCHOOL CARE
What are my options for After-School Care?
There are two main programs for After-School Care:
i) DHSP (Department of Human Services Programs)
The DHSP provides after-school care from the end of the school-day until 5:55pm. DHSP after-school is open during school vacation weeks and on snow days. Note that this program fills up very quickly. It is advisable to apply in the Spring, as soon as you know your child will be enrolling in MLK School. Tuition is on a sliding-fee scale.
More information here: http://www.cambridgema.gov/DHSP/programsforkidsandyouth/Afterschool/enrollmentregistration.aspx
Who to contact: Enrollment Coordinator, Chandra Green at 617-349-6254.
ii) Community Schools Program
Community Schools runs many after-school enrichment classes, such as Soccer, Lego Club, Homework Help, etc. These after-school activities are scheduled directly after school, in one hour blocks, and take place in the school (except for swimming). If you sign up for multiple activities, you can effectively extend your child’s after-school care until 6pm.
The brochure comes out late August or early September and can be found
online. It also gets distributed at school.
http://www.cambridgema.gov/DHSP/programsforkidsandyouth/communityschools/mlkjrcommunityschool.aspx
Registration is by lottery. There are two semesters, fall and spring. Please watch for announcements from the Community School director.
On District Early Release Days, Community Schools usually runs special activities to help families who need childcare coverage. You need to sign up for these separately.
Director of MLK Community School: Claire Carr at 617-349-6269, or ccarr@Cambridgema.gov.
6. HEALTH CONCERNS
My child has a food (or other) allergy. What do I do?
On the first day of school, bring Epi-Pens and all other medications to the School Nurse. You will need to have an Emergency Action Plan for your child. Also inform your teachers of your child’s allergy and any special concerns you may have.
There is a nut-free table in the cafeteria at lunchtime.
Other health concerns? Speak directly to the School Nurse at 617-349-6563.
7. OTHER QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
If you have any other questions or concerns you may:
- ask your child’s teacher
- ask our Family Liaison, Marguerite Hicks-Gyewu
- post your question to other parents on the MLK-Community List-Serv by emailing mlkcommunity@googlegroups.com (you must be a member of the MLK-Community Mailing List to post)