February 12, 2019
Dear CCSC Community,
I am writing to inform you of my decision to step down as Head of School at the end of the 2018‐2019 school year. I am nearing the end of my 7th year as Head of School and my fourteenth year at CCSC. This journey started for me in early 2005, when I was the first faculty member hired by the school’s founders. We opened our doors to 180 students that fall and I remember that first morning vividly ‐ nervous students, parents, faculty, and administrators, all having taken the same chance on a promising new school. Fourteen years later, much has changed. We have taken advantage of our ability as a charter public school to be nimble and agile, to change course when necessary with the best interests of our students and families in mind. And, fourteen years later, the soul of the school has stayed the same. The purpose remains simple: to provide the highest‐ quality education to our students, many of whom are too commonly denied access to one. The approach remains consistent: to hold expectations high, to provide commensurate levels of support, to know students exceptionally well, and to grow together in a joyous learning environment.
As some of you know, I have worn many hats here ‐‐ teaching humanities, coaching basketball, coaching teachers, leading the humanities department, and serving as the high school principal. Over the last fourteen years, I have worked tirelessly to establish and then maintain the strongest school possible. As I begin to reflect on my time at CCSC, as I assess where we are and where we’ve been, as I begin to take stock of our accomplishments, I am filled with an immense sense of pride. This decision is, of course, bittersweet. CCSC is home for me. It is a community about which I care deeply and into which I have poured all of myself. I will miss shaking students’ hands in the mornings, observing expertly taught lessons, working alongside dedicated colleagues, and cheering on our scholar athletes from the sidelines. I don’t leave in search of another CCSC. I don’t think finding one would be possible.
The Board of Trustees has initiated a search for the next Head of School, the first stage of which is focused on internal applicants. I have full confidence in their ability to execute a thorough search, ensuring that the next Head of School is well‐positioned to build on our strengths and identify areas for change and improvement. I continue to discuss ways that I can assist with this transition, both during the final months of my time in the role and during the 2019‐20 school year. While our community is, on some level, used to some amount of change, I am acutely aware that this type of change is discomforting and can inspire worry. Change jolts us out of established rhythms. But, change also brings real opportunity. The fresh perspectives that come with new leadership are critically important and healthy for all organizations, including CCSC. We are lucky to embark on this next chapter from a position of real strength ‐‐ in the eyes of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, students and families, our neighbors in Kendall Square, and the adults who work so hard and care so deeply about CCSC. I will remain connected with the school that I so love and I am very excited to see what’s next for Community Charter School of Cambridge.
Please do reach out with questions or concerns. I am more than happy to find time for a phone call or to schedule an in‐person meeting.
Sincerely,
Caleb Hurst-Hiller
April 3, 2019
Dear CCSC Community,
I am thrilled to be entrusted with the role of serving as CCSC’s next Head of School. I want to express my sincere thanks to our Board of Trustees for giving me this opportunity and to Caleb Hurst-Hiller, our faculty and staff, and our students and families for making CCSC a community I have been proud to call home for the past fourteen years.
As a founding science and math teacher at CCSC in 2005 and Middle School Principal for the past eight years, I know many of you already. I look forward to building and deepening relationships with more members of our community in the coming months. It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to see our school grow and develop over time, and to observe our stellar teaching faculty — whose talents and efforts lie at the heart of our work — every day. Getting the chance to play a new role in CCSC’s continued success is an honor.
The upcoming years will be exciting ones. I plan to work closely with our families, faculty, staff, and leadership team to guide the school as it continues to provide students and families with the highest quality educational experience in the areas of academic excellence, college access, celebration of equity and diversity, and more. I look forward to steering us through next year’s charter renewal process — a valuable chance we have every five years to proudly open our doors, show off what makes us special, and share proven best practices with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. And I pledge to listen closely to our entire community to collectively identify areas where the school can improve and work collaboratively to help it do so.
As CCSC undergoes this transition, I hope you will not hesitate in reaching out to me with your thoughts and questions. I am grateful to our community for its support and look forward to the exciting work ahead.
Sincerely,
Becki Norris