The first ever Business Community Breakfast was hosted by and for FOCRLS on the morning of Thursday, June 13, 2013 at the high school. It was a wonderful gathering of committed community members, faculty, students and parents.

Guests included the Mayor of Cambridge Henrietta Davis, City Councillors, and Harvard and MIT faculty, as well as business representatives, students, and CRLS faculty.

FOCRLS President Elaine Schear briefed guests on what this voluntary body of some 40 to 50 parents and community members does to help students succeed, focusing on the 40% who come from low income families, many of whom work after school and for whom English is not a first language.

After a round of introductions, Cambridge Mayor Henrietta Davis took the podium, and urged the community to invest in CRLS students. CRLS Principal Damon Smith pointed out that the CRLS renovation did not just mark physical changes but also promoted thinking in new ways. CRLS Marine Biology teacher Paul McGuiness, one of the first recipients of the FOCRLS Faculty Innovation Grants, shared his views. He said CRLS students are second to none; they do well in competitions and even beat MIT one year (!). Marjorie Decker, City Council, shared her own inspirational story, as the first person in her family to graduate from high school and go on to college (Harvard). Denise Jillson, Executive Director of the Harvard Square Business Association, talked about the breakfast event that Rotary International does for the National Honor Society. At the end, FOCRLS Board member and parent Victoria Harris, who organised the event, thanked everyone for being there and urged guests to involve others.

A special thank you to Renee McLeod, owner of Petsi Pies, for donating her remarkable breakfast confections to the day’s event and to many FOCRLS gatherings over the past six years.

For photos of the event, please click here.

Below are the names and organizations of those who attended – thank you all for your support and your valuable feedback and comments!

Mayor Henrietta Davis, Cambridge City Council
Marjorie Decker, Cambridge City Council
Craig Kelley, Cambridge City Council
David Maher, Cambridge City Council
Patty Nolan, Cambridge School Committee
Garey House, Citizens Bank – Central Square Branch
E’atimad Rizk, Citizens Bank – Kendall Square Branch
Paul McGuinness, CRLS – Staff
Rene Meshon, CRLS – Staff
Damon Smith, CRLS – Staff
Rout Asefa, CRLS – Student
Akhi Begum, CRLS – Student
Metea Koronas, CRLS – Student
Adam Manacher, CRLS Parents Council
Jason Alves, East Cambridge Business Association
Kate Berseth, Education First Educational Tours
Jon Blachly, Education First Educational Tours
Shawna Sullivan Education First Educational Tours
Ted Darling, FOCRLS
Victoria Harris, FOCRLS
Neil Rosenburg, FOCRLS
Jamie Sabino, FOCRLS
Beena Sarwar, FOCRLS
Elaine Schear, FOCRLS
Denise Jillson, Harvard Square Business Association
Thomas Lucey, Harvard University
Stacey Nichols, Hyatt Regency Cambridge
Maryann VaRence, Hyatt Regency Cambridge
Paul Paravanno, MIT Office of the President
Katherine Rafferty, Mount Auburn Hospital
Kara Cournoyer, Novartis
Amy Witherbee

Testimonies: FOCRLS student grantees

Metea Koronas, CRLS 2014
Recipient, Student Travel Fellowship
I would like to thank the Friends of CRLS for the amazing experience I was able to have because of you, to El Salvador. It was amazing to get the opportunity to travel abroad and I believe it’s an important experience to have as a student.
While I was there I was able to learn multiple topics and subjects all at once. I was able to practice my Spanish and hold conversations, learn about history I never knew about, and find a new subject I am really interested in, theological liberation.
My trip to El Salvador was amazing and the people have taught me so much. And most importantly, I was able to bring home an important life lesson: to just keep going. The people I have met there have been through so much trauma, but are still able to love and keep demanding change. This kind of spirit and motivation has inspired me so much. So once again, I would like to thank you!

Akhi Begum, CRLS 2014
Recipient, Student Travel Fellowship
At the age of 9, I moved to Fall River, MA with my family for a better life. With the absence of my father in Bangladesh, my mother struggled, but was successful in raising me and my six siblings with integrity and good manners, like saying “Salaam” (“peace”, a Muslim greeting), to everyone I see, even if they are younger, and saying thanks to all who have helped me in any shape or form.

Today, I am here at this amazing high school CRLS. This might be the epitome of a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, tolerant environment. It is definitely more diverse than back home in Bangladesh. Going to the trips to both Turkey and El Salvador has changed my view in so many ways. The exposure of different cultures and people allowed me to be an open-minded individual, to try new things and especially new food.

Without the travel fellowships from FOCRLS I would not have been able to take these adventurous journeys at all. These past two years, FOCRLS has supported me so much that helped me give a new meaning to life. They made me come out of my shell and take advantage of the opportunities around me. I had the chance to immerse myself in other places, languages and cultures, to prepare myself to be a global citizen.

Community outside the doors should support students like me because it gives so much opportunity and actually take advantage of it.

Many students don’t know where my country is. I didn’t even know where El Salvador was on the globe until I was going there. These opportunities help students to experience the diversity and respect opportunity.

Rout Asefa, CRLS 2013
Recipient, Dr. Christopher Saheed Future Educators Scholarship
My goal is to be a high school teacher. Coming from a home in which my parents can’t afford to buy me everything I need for school, the Dr. Christopher Saheed Future Educators Scholarship has allowed me to be less dependent on my parents financially.

As a result of the many donations to the Friends of CRLS from very generous members in the community, my family doesn’t have to worry about financing every little thing the summer of my freshman year going to college. Senior year is a very important year but it is a very expensive year, with SAT fees, college application fees and deposits etc, so every contribution helps.

Investing in scholarships such as this allows students like me to go to college feeling secure about our financial situation. By investing in scholarships you are also investing in not only the child’s future but also the future of the child’s family. Without your generous donations I would not be able to buy the materials I will need for college. On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all of you for investing in me.

All are welcome to attend the end-of-the-semester CRLS student portrait art reception on Weds. May 29, 2013, at 1:30 pm at Youville House. The students’ artwork will be displayed along with the biographies they’ve written about the residents of Youville House. The students, their families, CRLS staff, Youville residents, and the community are invited to attend this special event. The portraits were produced as part of a FOCRLS Faculty Innovation grant.

FOCRLS is touched and honored to have been chosen by CRLSstrong as the recipient of funds raised at the CRLSstrong event this Sunday, April 28, 2013. This very meaningful gathering, which brought together students, alums, faculty, parents, and community members in Joan Lorentz Park in front of the Cambridge Public Library, was organized by the CRLSstrong group of alumni/student group which is “committed to providing a safe and open space for members of CRLS and the wider Cambridge community” to reflect on the recent tragic events. These funds will further strengthen programs supporting the students, faculty, and alumni of CRLS, and demonstrate the values of Opportunity, Diversity, Respect that CRLS, CRLSstrong, and FOCRLS stand behind.

Read an article on the event from the Boston Globe on 4/28/2013.

Follow CRLSstrong on Facebook and Twitter.

The past week has been a trying one for our community. We would like to encourage you to attend this Sunday’s CRLSstrong community gathering, organized by a group of CRLS students and alumni, in Joan Lorentz Park from 2-4pm — see details below.

#CRLSstrong Community Gathering:
Sunday, April 28, 2013
2:00 pm until 4:00pm
Joan Lorentz Park on the corner of Ellery Street and Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138
Facebook events
Cambridge Chronicle 4/22/2013

The CRLSstrong Organizing Committee wishes to thank everyone for their strong showing of support for the students and faculty, past and present, of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) and the entire Cambridge Public Schools District (CPSD). CRLSstrong is committed to providing a safe and open space for members of the CRLS and wider Cambridge community to reflect on the Boston Marathon attack and the subsequent tragic incidents that caused many deaths and injuries. The event will be held in honor of the CRLS school motto: Opportunity, Diversity, Respect.

This community gathering is being organized by CRLS students past and present. To help organize, please email cambridgestrong@gmail.com.

Having two of our own accused of causing terror and destructing lives and property has been a hurtful, confusing and disturbing experience. Many in the CRLS community are still processing last week’s events. We are more than last week and the country and world deserve to know that our city’s diversity and our school’s unity are unmatched.

Follow CRLSstrong on Facebook and Twitter.

Friends of CRLS Community Meeting
“CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY DIVIDE”

Wednesday, March 27 — 7:30-9 pm
Pearl K. Wise Library, 2nd floor – Rindge (Main) Bldg.

Gerald Chertavian, Year Up founder, CEO, and CRLS parent was the latest speaker in our guest series on March 27th at the community meeting at the Pearl K. Wise Library.  Gerald brought another guest with him, Akeem Raphael, a CRLS graduate who is currently at the Harvard Busness School working with IT through the Year Up Program.  It was a rich and thought-provoking evening, focused around the mismatch between the proliferation of high school (and even college) graduates without jobs, and a current workforce in which millions of jobs are going unfilled. Year Up is a national urban program addressing this “opportunity divide”.

Photos are posted on the FOCRLS Facebook page.

Thank you to all who joined us!

Wow, what an amazing community-building event at Flatbread Pizza in Davis Square last week, Tuesday, February 26, 2013!! From our benefit event, FOCRLS raised $1,000 from the pizza sales and raffle. We would not have been able to raise these funds without the support of our supporters and alumni. Check out the photos on Facebook here.

We must say the flatbread pizzas were delicious; our supporters, alumni, and guests were excited to participate in our first benefit night at Flatbread; and some of our guests chose to bowl, while others tried their luck with our raffle donated by several alumni and local businesses. The benefit night was truly an evening to remember.

FOCRLS would like to thank our generous raffle donors, supporters, and alumni for supporting us with our event. The funds raised from our benefit night will go towards furthering our current and future initiatives for students, faculty, and alumni.

Thanks again for everyone who stopped by for our benefit night at Flatbread Pizza in Davis Square!

Thank you to our raffle donors:

• Autographed Patriots’ Football by wide receiver, Brandon Lylod, donated by the New England Patriots
• Soul.Train. A Mind and Body Fitness Studio Gift Certificate donated by Jonathan Medeiros, CRLS Class of ‘98
• Falcons’ Pride Basket donated by CRLS teacher, Jacquie Cesario and senior class board
• Health Consultations donated by Noah McIntyre, CRLS Class of ‘98
• Express Facial at Salon Capri donated by Salon Capri in Newton Highlands
• Handmade Soap Basket donated by CRLS parent, Elisa Pepe
• Tommy Doyle’s Gift Cards donated by Garrett Tingle, CRLS Class of ’99 and Tommy Doyle’s
• Brunch Gift Basket donated by the Lima sisters: Lisa Lima-Soares, CRLS Class of ’92, Christina Lima, CRLS Class of ’96, and Sandra Lima, CRLS Class of’ 98
• Party Gift Basket donated by FOCRLS
• Henry Bear’s Park in Porter Square Gift Certificate donated by FOCRLS
• Framed Tribal Print donated by FOCRLS
• Spectacular Notecards donated by FOCRLS

The blizzard had just ended. The day was sunny, but Cantabrigians were still digging out, a Cambridge parking ban was on, and the T hadn’t yet started running! And yet the show went on thanks to our gracious and can-do hosts, Lindsay Frazier and Owen Dempsey, parents of two current CRLS students and another who recently graduated. A warm, wonderful, and well-attended afternoon it was.

Deans Allan Gehant (Science) and Jeffrey Gaglione (Math) and Principal Damon Smith were our special guests. They spoke about their work at the high school, and their visions for CRLS. They had trudged in from Cambridge, Somerville, and Framingham. We thank them for their work, especially for their “extracurricular” support of CRLS and FOCRLS on a Sunday. Jamie Sabino, Treasurer of FOCRLS, and Elaine Schear, President, spoke about the accomplishments of FOCRLS over the organization’s six years of developing new academic opportunities at the high school.

In attendance were a wonderful group of parents of current and prospective CRLS students. An array of wines, mulled cider, cheeses, desserts were enjoyed by all.

A unique and worthwhile afternoon!

We are thrilled to announce that Tuesday, February 26, 2013, from 5 pm to close (11:30 pm) is FOCRLS Benefit Night at Flatbread Pizza in Davis Square!

NEW! RAFFLE PRIZES LISTED BELOW. TICKETS ARE $2 EACH OR 6 for $10.

• Autographed football by Patriots’ wide receiver, Brandon Lloyd – donated by the New England Patriots.
• Falcon’s Pride Basket (an assortment of things including t-shirt, bag ornament, pens & lanyard) – donated by CRLS teacher and senior class advisor, Jacquie Cesario and the senior class board.
• Soul.Train A Mind and Body Fitness Studio Gift Card (includes a 5 pack of group exercise classes, 1 hour fitness consultation, and 1 hour personal training session (valued at $250.00) – donated by Jonathan Medeiros, CRLS Class of’98.
• Two Gift Cards for $50 for Tommy Doyle’s – donated by Garrett Tingle, CRLS Class of ’99 and Tommy Doyle’s.
• Brunch gift basket (includes Stonewall Kitchen Pancake and Waffle mix and Wild Maine Blueberry Spread, blueberry scone mix, maple syrup, coffee, and tea) donated by the Lima sisters: Lisa Lima-Soares, CRLS Class of ’92, Christina Lima, CRLS Class of ’96, and Sandra Lima, CRLS Class of ’98.
• Framed hand-painted tribal print from North India – donated by FOCRLS.
• Express Facial with Candyce at Salon Capri (valued at $65.00) – donated by Salon Capri in Newton Highlands.
• Health consultations – donated by Noah McIntyre, CRLS Class of ’99.
• Handmade Soap Basket – donated by CRLS parent Elisa Pepe.
• Party Gift Basket (includes wine, baked goods, and the like) – donated by FOCRLS.
• Henry Bear’s Park (Porter Square) $50 Gift Certificate – donated by FOCRLS.
• Spectacular nature photography note cards by anonymous donor – donated by FOCRLS.

Here is your chance to enjoy scrumptious, hearth-baked pizza from one of the pioneering restaurants in MA for the local and organic food movement. Whether you eat in or take out, the Flatbread Company will donate $1.75 for every small pizza sold and $3.50 for every large pizza sold to FOCRLS, which will support our various initiatives at the high school. There will also be a raffle that evening of exciting local prizes (need not be present to win).

Why not make it a night out with pizza and bowling? Bowling is available on site. There are ten bowling lanes: five lanes for reservations and five lanes for walk-ins (first come, first serve).  Bowling information can be found here.

ALUMS: There will be an alumni networking hour at the bar from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Connect with others!

GROUPS:  There is a call-ahead seating option available. Reservations are recommended for parties of 8 or more.

Check out Flatbread’s website here. Flatbread Pizza is located at Sacco’s Bowl Haven, 45 Day Street, Somerville, MA — steps away from the Davis Square T stop on the Red Line.

Read the article on the upcoming event in the Cambridge Chronicle, published on 2/18/2013.

Please help spread the word. Invite your friends and family.

See you there!