The Dr. Christopher Saheed Future Educators Scholarship
In honor of the educational leadership of our former CRLS Principal, this scholarship is based upon a student’s intention to pursue a career in education at a 2 or 4-year college. Two scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded.

The First Scholars Awards
Three scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded to students who are the first in their families to attend a four-year college or university in the fall.

Please visit the Scholarship Book on the CRLS website for details about these and many other scholarships.

Friends of CRLS (FOCRLS) has been growing by leaps and bounds in its first five years, and for this reason we’ve undertaken a strategic planning process to map out the next five, and we need your help.

As you know, FOCRLS is an all-volunteer parent-community partnership organization which supports programs to  broaden opportunities for and recognition of CRLS students and teachers, including: The Unsung Heroes student incentive program, Faculty Innovation Grants, Student Travel Fellowships, First Scholars Awards, The Dr.Christopher Saheed Scholarship Fund, and Faculty Distinction Awards. FOCRLS also acts as fiscal sponsor for other CRLS fundraising entities, such as the CRLS Arts Committee and school-sponsored overseas travel.

Thanks in advance for filling out the FOCRLS Community Survey!  

High school trips to distant locations give students a first-hand opportunity to become immersed in the people, language, cities, landscapes, sights, sounds, smells and tastes of another culture. These trips can heighten cultural awareness, break down stereotypes and create lasting friendships, both among CRLS travelers and with their foreign hosts. And of course the trips incorporate a strong academic component. Those awarded fellowships are asked to keep a written and photographic journal of their activities.

The CRLS trip to Turkey will be a 9-day visit to a land that is rich in cultural and geographical significance. The 20 students who are expected to participate will visit ancient buildings and ruins, such as the Hagia Sophia Church and Museum in Istanbul that dates from 500 AD, and the ancient Greek ruins in the city of Izmir. The students and their faculty chaperones will immerse themselves in the culture, staying two nights in the homes of Turkish families. This interaction with the culture is a crucial piece of the students’ education because of the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Arab and Muslim peoples.

The Panama Jazz Festival is a prestigious event that brings together jazz greats from around the world who will share their knowledge with the members of the CRLS World Jazz Ensemble who will attend, a “once in a lifetime experience” according to the FOCRLS travel grant recipient. By day, the CRLS students will be in classes taught by faculty from Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, and Princeton University. By night, they will get to “play and jam out with people from Panama and around the world,” making friends and enhancing their skills.

Read the Cambridge Chronicle article here.

An eight-person review panel comprised of CRLS parents, alumni and community members considered the proposals received in November. Their work resulted in the funding of 10 grants of up to $1000 that benefit a dozen faculty and hundreds of students.

The Fall 2011 FOCRLS Faculty Innovation Grantees are:

· Alvaro Amaral and Shantu Salvi (physical education teachers) - “Alternative Fitness”
which aims to expose students to fitness programs such as yoga, tai chi, aquatics, core and bodyweight strength training and zumba.

· Chandra Banks (peer mediation coordinator) — “Interrupt Us in Cambridge”
which funds a screening of “The Interrupters,” a 2011 documentary about gang violence in Chicago. The CRLS Mediation Program will host a post-screening discussion.

· Jennifer Fries (Cambridge School Volunteers) — “Computer Upgrade”
which provides new computers to support CSV’s tutoring, writing and math labs.

· Clare Garman (career counselor, RSTA) — “Real Jobs for Real People”
a video project to inform students of growth industries in Massachusetts.

· Conrad Hauck (engineering instructor, RSTA) — “FIRST Robotics 2011-2012 Season”
to support the Robotics Team in its efforts to design a robot and compete in regional and national competitions.

· Jodi Mace and Dan Weathersby (guidance counselors) — “Improving Access to College Campuses”
to fund transportation for area college visits.

· Elizabeth Menges (visual and performing arts teacher) — “Student Midterm Art Show”
to provide new display materials.

· Monica Murray (visual and performing arts teacher) — “Supporting ‘Hairspray’”
the fall theatrical production, with an alumnus/assistant choreographer/director.

· Larry Rubin (business education teacher) — “The School Store”
to provide start-up funds for a student-managed school store.

· Barbara Weaver (history teacher) — “Research and Advocacy in Washington, D.C.”
to aid the History Club in promoting history education among legislators.

Read the Cambridge Chronicle article here.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support all FOCRLS programs. Click here to see alumni photos and learn more about the brunch!

This year our growing number of FOCRLS contributors made it possible to offer two grant cycles, both now in the fall, as well as our traditional spring grant cycle! We thank our many donors: family, friends, alumni, and business leaders, for supporting the power of the ideas of our exemplary CRLS educators.

•Kathleen Fitzgerald (Internship and Service Learning Specialist) “Storied Landscapes – Exploration and Sharing of Cultural and Natural Resources Across Urban and Rural Youth Communities”

•Conrad Hauck (Engineering Instructor, RSTA)
“Funding for Robotics Club: FIRST Robotics 2011 Season”

•Matt Landry (Media Instructor) “Experimental Media Lab”

•Michele Watson Maxwell (Commercial Design Teacher)
“Anti-Discrimination Poster Awareness Campaign”

•Deborah Milligan (Photography Teacher) “Mix It Up – Cook it Up”

•Robert Ponte (Instrumental Music Teacher)
“Contemporary Jazz at CRLS”

•Jaci Rubin (Cooperative Education Instructor)
“Create a Press Kit for Cooperative Education”

•Jessica Young (Art Teacher) “Animation Sound Studio“