Two “Dr. Christopher Saheed Future Educators” Scholarships and three “First Scholars” Awards are offered by Friends of CRLS. Deadline for applications: Monday, February 20, 2012.

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.

Please take a few minutes to fill out our short FOCRLS Community Survey — your feedback really matters to us. The feedback of all our stakeholders — teachers and administrators, parents, students, alumni, and other community supporters — will be critical in this process. So, please weigh in.

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!  

FOCRLS congratulates its seventh cycle of Faculty Grantees!

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.

On the morning of November 18, sixteen CRLS students — one from each learning community, from each grade — were honored at the CRLS Falcon’s Nest in front of deans, teachers, and proud parents. Students are nominated each term by teachers, counselors, and deans for their emergence as achievers, based upon academic progress, improved attendance, citizenship, stewardship, and athletic leadership. FOCRLS is proud to provide funding for this program, and we salute the Unsung Heroes for their well-deserved recognition. Now in its fourth year, we celebrate 72 Unsung Heroes recognized to date!

Read here about accomplishments of Friends of CRLS during the past year, and the support of parents, alumni, and community members for the students and faculty of CRLS.

Join us at the annual Mayfair in Harvard Square on Sunday, May 1, 2011 (the rain date is Sunday, May 15). Buy a raffle ticket to support the wonderful programs of FOCRLS and have a chance to win valuable prizes donated by exceptional local businesses who care. You do not have to be present to win! Read more.

Read here about accomplishments of Friends of CRLS during the past year, and the support of parents, alumni, and community members for the students and faculty of CRLS.