CPS Educator & Staff Colloquium 2026

Welcome back to what we expect will be a great year of teaching and learning in the Cambridge Public Schools!

On Wednesday August 26th, we will gather at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS) for our annual CPS Educator & Staff Colloquium, a half-day opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and prepare for the impactful and collaborative work that lies ahead as we empower student excellence.

CPS District Mission: Cambridge Public Schools delivers an excellent education that inspires, acknowledges, empowers, and supports every student on their personal journey to achieve their highest potential in and beyond school and as productive members of their communities.

Colloquium Agenda

8:00-8:15 AM

OSE, MLE* & CRLS Staff report directly to CRLS

Parking at/around CRLS will be available to staff who regularly work at CRLS and educators who will attend the OSE and MLE afternoon sessions at CRLS.

*ESL & SEI only - Dual-language staff should travel with their schools.

Buses depart from PK-8 schools and Berkshire Street for CRLS

PK-8 educators and Berkshire Street staff may either take advantage of district-provided bus transportation or travel to CRLS by foot, bicycle, or public transportation. If you plan to go directly to CRLS, please let your supervisor know!

8:15-8:30 AM

Arrival at CRLS; Educators & staff proceed directly to the Field House

8:30-9:45 AM

Welcome & Keynote Address: Strengthening Family Engagement

- Superintendent David Murphy
- CEA President Chris Montero
- Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui
- School Committee Chair David Weinstein
- Keynote Speaker Dr. Shadae Harris

Dr. Shadae Harris is a Distinguished Professor in Residence at Virginia State University and a founding faculty member of the VSU Engagement Institute. She previously served as the Chief Engagement Officer at Richmond Public Schools, where she earned national recognition for her significant contribution to reducing chronic absenteeism. Dr. Harris began her career as a 4th grade teacher and has served as an elementary school principal. She holds a Master’s degree in Learning and Teaching as well as a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, both from Harvard University. Dr. Harris is a faculty presenter at the Karen Mapp Family Engagement Institute, which many CPS principals and family liaisons have attended in recent years. She will be working to support our district's family engagement work over the course of the school year.

9:45-10:00 AM

Transition

10:00-11:00 AM

Grade-band family engagement with caregiver panel:

Educators transition to family engagement caregiver panels:

Elementary Schools & Amigos: Remain in Field House
Upper Schools: War Memorial Gymnasium
CRLS & HSEP Fitzgerald Auditorium

11:00 AM

Please follow your agenda below

PK-8 & Amigos

11:00 Transition to buses

11:15 Buses return to schools

11:35 Lunch in schools

12:15 School-based meetings

1:15 Required annual training modules (see below)

OSE, ESL & SEI

11:00 Transition to lunch

11:10 Lunch

11:40 OSS trainings (locations will be shared soon!)

(OSS staff will be provided with time at their September department meetings to complete required annual traning modules)

CRLS

11:00 Transition to lunch

11:10 Lunch

11:40 LC-based meetings

LC C: Library
LC R: Black Box
LC L: Media Cafe
LC S: TRC

1:15 Required annual training modules (see below)

Required annual training modules

CPS educators and staff are required to complete a series of state-mandated, self-guided modules each year. These online modules cover a range of important topics such as harassment and discrimination, mandated reporting (51A), and bullying prevention. Please access the modules through LITIX Academy.

2:50-2:55 PM

Please give us your feedback!

At the end of the Colloquium day, please take 5 minutes to complete this short exit ticket. Your feedback will help us improve future professional learning events. Thank you!

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