News Archives

American Flatbread Benefit Bakes & Online Silent Auction Kick Off (Posted Mar. 26, 2024 by Sara Flynn)

On Tuesday April 9th Families of RAUC invites you to join us at American Flatbreads Somerville (45 Day Street, Somerville) for some food, drinks, and bowling for our Benefit Bakes fundraiser. We will also be kicking off our 2nd Annual Online Silent Auction that will end on Friday April 26th.

Flatbreads will be donating $4 for every large pizza purchased, and $2 for every small pizza purchased.

Let’s GLOW – A Night to Remember (Posted Jan. 30, 2024 by Sara Flynn)

The much anticipated Let’s GLOW theme dance was a HUGE success. Teachers and staff say they can’t remember this many kids all dancing together. 193 students showed up to have a night to remember. Dancing to DJ Wroge (Mr. Wroge – Band Teacher, thank you so much!) amazing playlist of popular songs, enjoying the black light activated temporary tattoos and glow body paint, glow sticks for days, neon glasses, and polaroids at the photo station.

Many of the your students participated in the decoration and dance prep. With many lunch decorating sessions you can see the collaboration and team work with all the grades. It was fascinating to see emerging leaders and their hard work come to life at the dance. I’d love to thank all the students that participated in any of these sessions. You all should be so proud of yourselves. Also the Student Government and Dance Committee Chair – Kallie.

I want to acknowledge all the dance decorations that were donated by RAUC families, which truly helped the students make the decor come to life. Also the baked good, snacks, and fruit was so wonderful to have at the dance. Cannot forget the caregivers and students that were there to help set-up, clean-up, serve food, take pictures, help with the tattoos. It was all a group effort that made the night successful.

A huge thank you to our local businesses Pemberton Farms for donating a beautiful fruit platter, and Half Shell Pizza & More for their discount on the Pizzas. Your continued support to Rindge Avenue Upper Campus means everything to us!

We want to also thank Diamond who was at our last dance and provided extra security as well as 2 Cambridge PD officers. We cannot forget the janitorial staff, who helped clear the cafeteria, and made clean up effortless. Lastly, thank you to the RAUC Staff for their long time support in community events. We were lucky to have 8 RAUC chaperones this year Ms. Linette, Ms. Kayla, Ms. Tracy, Ms. Vanha, Ms. Susan, Ms. Anyah, Ms. Jahyda, Ms. Jahniya. The collective group effort helped with front door admission, keeping our students safe and having fun. We are grateful for Ms. Sizer and Ms. Sanchez, their complete onboard support throughout this whole process was felt wholeheartedly.

It’s this wonderful community that we are all apart of that continues to come together to make events like this so unforgettable.

A look back at 2023, and wishes for a Happy New Year! (Posted Jan. 2, 2024 by Sara Flynn)

Dear Families of RAUC community,

Happy New Year!  So thankful to have you as part of the RAUC community, and supporters of Families of RAUC.  We are excited for all the upcoming planned events and fundraisers for 2024.  

Looking back at 2023, we helped organize with the RAUC student dance committee their first All School Dance: Midnight in Paris.  It was their first dance since the Pandemic.  It was a major highlight for the students.  We had our first Benefit Bakes Fundraiser with American Flat Breads Somerville, where we also kicked off our first online Silent Auction.  The combination was really successful and the community businesses were so gracious with their donated gift cards.  Then we helped with snacks for the Cafe Night where RAUC students and teachers performed entertaining acts.  We were able to order some delicious special sandwiches for teacher appreciation in May.  End of the year RAUC Block Party was so fun for the RAUC community.  With a dunk tank, henna, stone art, Photo Booth, Italian ice, food, and outdoor games. 

We started the fall with a back to school potluck, helping the 8th graders be able to go to Mount Monadnock.  We helped with Ms. Kayla’s – Junk Journal after school club supplies.  We secured Ferry Tickets to George’s Island – Boston Harbor Islands for the 7th graders in the spring.  Had another successful Election Day Bake Sale, where we got to connect with our neighbors.  We provided the entire school with popcorn and water bottles on Movie Day to see WISH at Apple Cinemas.  We organized the Staff and Teacher Appreciation Brunch, with breakfast/brunch goodies from amazing parents/caregivers.  Had a beautiful lunch feast from The Half Shell a local family owned pizzeria.  

Lastly, our Annual Appeal which has brought in numerous donations which helps us throughout the year be able to continue to support the RAUC community, students, and teachers.  Your support through volunteering, food contributions, donations, means so much!  

Wishes for an amazing 2024 New Year! Gratitude to have you as a part of the FRAUC family, and RAUC community.

With immense gratitude,

Sara Flynn & Families of RAUC Board of Directors

RAUC Staff Appreciation Day Brunch (Posted Jan. 2, 2024 by Sara Flynn)

On December 21st, RAUC Staff and Teachers were celebrated. Parents and caregivers were so generous with their lovely home made food, treats and coffee (which is a huge must have for the morning for RAUC) for a beautiful breakfast spread.

With RAUC families and caregivers contributions we were able to have a full lunch spread from our local neighborhood family pizzeria The Half Shell. RAUC Staff enjoyed: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo pasta, Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan pasta, Garlic Bread, 4 Large Special Pizzas, and 2 choices of Salads.

RAUC Staff and Teachers were so appreciative in having this feast of food, especially right before the winter break. Boost of morale and knowing they are valued is always so important.

Last but not least we had some very special signs that Ms. Dormitz and Ms. Spencer’s Lunch Arts & Craft club helped make.

A huge thank you to Alison N, Katie P, Eliza R, Ellen H, Rachelle B, Nestor S, Amanda G, Joanne S, Erin D, Ena V, Leslie D, Tracy O, Regine V-G, Amy S, Kanako K, Elisa VV, Sahori M, Tina L, Genji, Jean-Antoine, Amy Z, Noam W, Nikki F, Jennifer W, Alison H, Katie C, Melanie S, Marnie G, Lauren S, Marcy W, Amanda S, Johanna K for making this day extra special!

Mount Monadnock, Election Day Bake Sale, Pop Corn Oh My (Posted on Nov. 28, 2023 by Sara Flynn)

Families of RAUC was able to secure the 2 Charter Buses needed to transport the 8th grade students and staff to Mount Monadnock. They couldn’t have lucked out anymore with the weather, it was absolutely beautiful clear skies and warm for October. I had the pleasure of being at pick up, and seeing the excitement from the students really made bringing this 8th grade tradition a good choice for Families of RAUC to contribute to.

Election Day Bake Sale 2023 was a huge success. We were able to raise about a little over $1,200. The community was so happy to see Families of RAUC with all our baked goods, coffee, soups, and even dog treats for our four legged neighbors.

A couldn’t have had this success with out the help of our student & parent volunteers, and family bakers.

A special Thank You to our student volunteers: Elizabeth S, Nova B, Emma D-W, Ben H, Sebastian F, Lukas F, Eliana B, Phoebe H, Ben S, Oliver, and Tyler F.

A special Thank You to our RAUC family volunteers: Arlene O, Ena V, Katie P, Nina F, Martina B, Audrey D-W, Lisa B, and Beth T

A special Thank You to our RAUC family bakers: Maria C, Celeste Ng, Melanie S, Beth T, Joanne S, Eliza R, Maura M, Ellen H, Martina B, Arlene O, Katie P, Elisa V, Tracy O, Audrey D-W

We look forward to having a 3rd Annual Election Day Bake Sale next November!

Upcoming FRAUC Contributions to RAUC Student Experiences (Posted on Sep. 28, 2023 by Sara Flynn)

Welcome back to a new school year at Rindge Avenue Upper Campus. We welcome new 6th grade students and families, and celebrate the returning 7th and 8th students and families for their continued support. Families of RAUC is a non-profit parent/caregiver volunteer group that supports the RAUC student, teacher, and family community.

Our 7th Grade RAUC Students are going to enjoy a team building exploration trip to George’s Island part of the Boston Harbor Islands City Cruises. Students will be able to see and learn more about the Civil War era – Fort Warren, named after the famous Dr. Joseph Warren. They will be able to explore the nooks and open areas that the 28 acre island has to offer, as well as the Boston Harbor views on their 40 minute ferry rides.

Families of RAUC are working to secure 2 charter buses (as school buses were not available for the timing of the trip) to provide transportation to Mount Monadnock for a longer day trip for our 8th Grade students toward the end of October. This trip brings the teachers and students together to help set goals and accomplish them. This is a great way to start the year off strong as a unit. Going to Mount Monadnock was an 8th Grade tradition at RAUC and we are delighted to help bring it back.

Families of RAUC have contributed the majority of the funding to cover the costs of these 2 trips through our Staff Grants. Staff Grants are submitted by teachers who are requesting additional funding for community building and enriching experiences that might not have been possible without the help from Families of RAUC funds. Your donations and support year after year make this possible. Thank you so much!

RAUC Winter 2023 Dance (Posted Jan. 28, 2023 by Lilli Smith)

Huge thank you to everyone who help dream, decorate, bake, donate money for 30 pizzas and decorations and clean up! By all accounts, the RAUC Winter Dance (the first dance in THREE years!) was a huge success. The theme, created by the student council was Midnight in Paris. We not only had a fabulous Paris themed dance hall with mood lighting and city scapes of Paris, but a Cafe de Paris with a fabulous storefront sketched out by a talented parent and painted by a great group of creative students. In addition to the 30 pizzas from Cambridge House of Pizza, the cafe served fruit, donated baked goods from parents and Revival, french bread from Iggy’s and macarons courtesy of an amazing RAUC parent! The students had a great time dancing – at one point I heard the entire school belting out “Let it Go!” in unison.

Winter Solstice 2022 Teacher Appreciation (Posted on Dec. 21, 2022 by Lilli Smith)

Thank you to everyone who baked, made signs and contributed to a great RAUC staff celebration today. It is so heart warming to see how small contributions from many can add up to such a wonderful show of appreciation for the great RAUC staff! They were absolutely thrilled!

June 2022 RAUC Block Party (Posted Nov. 18, 2022 by Lilli Smith)

A HUGE heartfelt thank you to everyone who volunteered to make the RAUC Block Party such a fun end of year party on Friday.  THANK YOU to everyone who pitched in to plan it, to run the dunk tank, to hand out 486 slushies, to take a gazillion photobooth shots, to engage the kids in art projects, to give them tattoos, to play games with them, to inspire them to sing and dance spontaneously,  TO FEED THEM, to pop 486 servings of popcorn in the hot sun, to clean up so fast afterward. To make them laugh and smile.  And a special thank you to whomever organized the rainbow with no rain. It was an amazing day. Thanks for helping achieve our goal of JOY! 

May 2022 Staff Appreciation Luncheon (Posted May 12, 2022)

We love our RAUC Staff! On Wednesday, 5-11, an early release day, library tables held the weight of a large spread of to-go food for RAUC Staff Appreciation Day. Organized by RAUC caregivers, there were homemade dishes, platters of fruit, fancy desserts and beverages. Catered to-go bags were donated by Revival Cafe and purchased by RAUC caregivers. Cards, signs, and caregiver volunteers greeted RAUC staff as they went through the line.

Thank you to our staff for working so hard this year to support our students. Your skill, compassion, and care are evident in every interaction with students and families!

Works of Art from Chinese Calligraphy Club (Posted Mar. 14, 2022)

From Julia Ho, RAUC Family Partnership Coordinator:

Thank you FRAUC for helping fund materials for the Chinese Calligraphy and Painting club! Though students learn about various cultures and histories in the school social studies curriculum, this club offered a unique opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of one particular cultural art form through experiential learning. Students learned from an expert (and RAUC caregiver) in Chinese calligraphy and painting (who’s also a RAUC parent), and built their skills over the course of 8 weeks. It was an enriching experience and we hope to offer this club again in future cycles!

6th Graders Create Social Justice Picture Books (Posted Jan. 22, 2022)

Sixth graders’ social justice picture books, created for young readers, were a huge success. FRAUC helped with funds for bookbinding. See photos of some of their work at the end of this post!

From Ms. Saillant, their Social Studies teacher:

Thank you FRAUC! It was a blast working with students in our Social Justice Picture

Books lit block! They are super proud of publishing their first children’s book on an issue of justice they were passionate about. My goal is to bring this into the social studies classroom so all 6th graders will have an opportunity to publish a story.

This project helps enrich RAUC curricula in that it provides students with an opportunity to do interdisciplinary work (e.g. Social studies and English Language Arts) and apply skills they’re learning and specific content to things that they are personally passionate about. Literacy blocks are elective courses that fall outside the classroom budgets.

Altered Apparel Club Fights Fast Fashion (Posted Jan. 21, 2022)

Altered Apparel is a popular after school club facilitated by Ms. Victoria Leggett. As part of our grants to teachers program, FRAUC funded fabric and other supplies for the club. Some of the work is displayed below!

Here’s what Ms. Leggett says about their creative work:

“[Altered Apparel provides] a way to explore their creativity in a new format while also reflecting on themselves to discover their personal styles and identity. Through exploring more folk art mediums they get to get in touch with the cultural and historical roots that our current methods derive from.

“I teach the students different skills to customize their clothes with their own two hands like embroidery, fabric painting, embellishing, and more. The main ideas behind it is to give students agency over their style to fit their identity, build accessible/affordable skills, and fight fast fashion.”

RAUC Staff Comfort Food/Appreciation Days (Posted Dec. 23, 2021)

To show RAUC staff how much our community appreciates their hard work this year, FRAUC organized two staff appreciation comfort food events. On Friday, December 10 and Wednesday, December 22, RAUC caregivers brought in homemade and store-bought baked goods, fruit, yogurt, tea, seltzers, juice, hot coffee, and countless other treats. To-go bags were included so staff could bring extras home. 

Students and families made signs and cards to express their support and love for all RAUC staff, including teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians, administrators, support staff–everyone who has kept our school running and cared for our students during this hard time.

FRAUC wanted to support local businesses in this effort, as well, so Lilli Smith (our new Secretary and organizer of the event) collected cash donations from caregivers. She purchased some of the food from Revival Cafe for the first event. For the second event, donations went to three $100 gift cards at Pemberton Market (around the corner, and a popular lunch spot for staff). Each of the advisory team leaders received a gift card to use to treat their team. 

Thanks to the many households who contributed time, errands, cash, food, and effort! It made a difference!

FRAUC Gathers IRT (Posted Jun. 10, 2021)

Well, it was quite a school year! On June 9, FRAUC gathered in Bergen Park to celebrate that we, our children, and the RAUC staff somehow made it this far. To regroup after this long year, we held a FRAUC coffee/pastry morning gathering and reassured ourselves that we all do still exist in 3-dimensional space. We handed out free RAUC car magnets to anyone who wanted one.

We also said goodbye to John O’Neil, who has worked hard on many a FRAUC fundraising effort, and has capably co-chaired FRAUC for 5 years. Thank you for your dedication, John!

FRAUC Organizes Staff Appreciation Days (Posted Mar. 21, 2021)

On Wednesday, February 10, Families of RAUC (FRAUC) delivered cards, appreciation signs, and goodies for RAUC staff as they prepared to resume in-person instruction. Many families pitched in with creative signs, beautiful cards, and tokens of appreciation! Fabulous food came from the Revival Café and Kitchen.

Most staff were returning to work in the building for the first time since March 2020, while custodial, kitchen, and some administrative staff had been in the building over the past year. We wanted all of them to feel loved and cared for as they navigated the dual responsibilities of in-person and continued remote instruction. Thank you to all who put colorful, encouraging words to paper!

Out of respect for pandemic precautions, we made everything grab-and-go. There were home baked goods, store-bought pastries, beverages, cards, and signs. One family even provided jewelry to grab and go!We hope it inspired our staff.

FRAUC Supports Scholarships for Students Remote Learning in Community Sites (Posted Jan. 25, 2021)

Families of RAUC has generously provided funds to support scholarships for a limited number of our students to attend in-person community sites for remote learning. Money for these scholarships came from the unused funds that FRAUC raised for the 8th grade DC trip that was cancelled last year. These scholarships would not have been available without the extreme generosity of our community and all who gave and worked so hard last year–your efforts made a difference! We’re incredibly grateful!

FRAUC Leads Outdoor Meet Ups (Posted Oct. 1, 2020)

After months of remote-only interactions, RAUC students had a chance to meet up at the school, in-person, on Rindge Field! In late September, FRAUC organized supervised, masked, distanced gatherings by grade. These reunions were a great success, and families asked FRAUC to make them recurring events.

FRAUC then set weekly meetings for all three grades. For as long as the weather holds, Sixth graders have a weekly spot on Sundays, Seventh graders on Saturdays, and Eighth graders on Tuesdays during DHSP’s “Fall on the Field” programs at Rindge Field, as long as the weather holds.