As part of its community outreach initiatives, The Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (FOCRLS) hosted the Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA) April board meeting at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) on Friday, April 4, 2014. FOCRLS welcomed approximately 50 fellow members of HSBA, including owners and leaders in retail, restaurants, hospitality, banking, realty, business, services, and education.
Guests socialized over a continental breakfast prepared by students in the Rindge School for the Technical Arts Culinary Arts program before the official meeting began. CRLS Principal Damon Smith provided an overview of the high school, and spoke of his vision for making CRLS a model for urban public education, stating that “We are committed to making a good school into a great one.” He acknowledged the importance of community partnerships for student achievement, and thanked HSBA members for their continuing support of CRLS.
HSBA attendees also heard from a student who has benefitted from one of FOCRLS programs. Metea Koronas, a senior at CRLS, was a recipient of a FOCRLS travel fellowship last year. She discussed the trip she was able to take to Cambridge’s sister city in San Jose Las Flores, El Salvador. Ms. Koronas said that the impact of her experiences in El Salvador strongly influenced her education and career goals, and she plans on studying international relations at American University. Closing the meeting, FOCRLS Board president Elaine Schear talked about the core values of CRLS – opportunity, diversity, and respect – and how those were reflected by the work that HSBA does in the community.
Given the success of the HSBA event, FOCRLS looks forward to hosting similar gatherings in the future for other organizations. Ms. Schear remarked that “it was wonderful to partner with HSBA on an event like this, where we can show people what happens at CRLS on a daily basis. HSBA Executive Director Denise Jillson, her staff, the HSBA board and fellow members were a pleasure to work with!”
Photos of the event are available here.