Hello new 9th graders!
All incoming 9th graders are invited to come to this community-led orientation August 23rd-25th. This is an event created by Cambridge Public Schools and a crew of Cambridge community partners.
***NOTE: Are you registering the week of the orientation?: It is not too late! Please still fill out this form, but you may not get confirmation details emailed back to you - I have pasted them below. Make sure to note that you only have to come to one of the tour/workshop days (Tues/Wed) and that we are starting both days in the Lecture Hall in the basement of the library, not at CRLS. If you are available to come on Wednesday, the groups on that day have more space! Please feel free to still come if you don't hear back from us!******Our goals for this orientation are to:
- help you (new 9th graders) get to know each other and have fun
- provide tours of the CRLS building and help you get oriented in the big new space
- preview how to navigate some common challenges in the transition
- introduce you to peer mentors, community members, teen programs and school staff who can be supports during your transition to high school
Please fill out the form below to tell us you will be coming! All participants will get their own Falcons Class of 2026 tshirt and lots of new connections to take with you into the first day of school.
If you have questions about this event, please contact Annie Leavitt (
aleavitt@cpsd.us) AND Emily Beaulieu (
ebeaulieu@cpsd.us).
Confirmation Details:
As a reminder, here is the schedule for the three days. You only need to attend either Tuesday or Wednesday, not both. Everyone is invited to the Community BBQ on 8/25!
CRLS Tours & Workshops Day 1: TUESDAY, August 23rd, 2 - 5:30pm at Cambridge Public Library
CRLS Tours & Workshops Day 2: WEDNESDAY, August 24th, 2 - 5:30pm at Cambridge Public Library
Community Sendoff BBQ: Thursday, August 25th, 2 - 4pm outside CRLS
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do I show up on Tuesday or Wednesday? For location, it says “CRLS and the Cambridge Public Library”
- We will kick off both workshop days in the Lecture Hall at the Main Branch of the Cambridge Public Library, which is right next to CRLS (address is 449 Broadway). The Lecture Hall is on L2 - you have to go into the library on the main floor and take the elevator down two floors.
- You’ll be walking over to CRLS for building tours and some workshops, in addition to using some library spaces (like the Teen Room and the HIVE) as space for breakout groups.
If I’m working for the Mayor’s Program (MSYEP) this summer, can I really get paid to attend?
Yes, you can! We just need to verify your attendance at check-in, and then you’ll get paid (the same hourly rate you’ve been making all summer) for any workshop days and attending the BBQ
Do I need to attend both days?
No, Day 1 and Day 2 are the same: each student will get a tour of CRLS and will attend three workshops.
What if I have to leave early or I miss some of this orientation for sports tryouts or practice?
- Our preference is that you stay for the entire session to benefit from all that’s being planned for you, but come to attend whatever you can!
- For example, if your tryouts or practice start on Wednesday, make sure to come to Bridge to CRLS on Tuesday.
- Or, if you have to miss some of Tuesday, come back Wednesday and we can figure out what you missed, put you in a group to make sure you still get to go on a tour, etc.
- You will still get everything you need on the first few days of school - this adds to the teambuilding and orienting you will do as a new 9th grader, it does not replace it.
What do I need to bring? And when do I get my t-shirt?
- You don’t need to bring anything - just come ready to meet new people, try some new things and get your questions answered!
- Food: Snacks will be provided for the workshop days, and then a BBQ meal is provided at the BBQ on Thursday.
- T-shirts will be handed out at the BBQ on Thursday afternoon!
We look forward to welcoming you to your new school!
