RSTA’s biotechnology program has recently installed new equipment which will play a big role in the new curriculum for biomanufacturing and research by students in the field. The program is geared towards students especially drawn to science “who want to do hands-on work and don’t just want to learn about things and hear about things, but to actually do them,” biotechnology teacher Dr. Joan Abrams explained. “It’s a really nice complement to what goes on in the science department.”

Starting this year, there will be a significant alteration in the guidance counselor team for the freshmen, both in name and in function. All freshmen this year have been assigned one of two freshman guidance counselors. For Learning Communities C and R,  Jordan Roldan will be the freshmen advisor, and he is a second-year guidance counselor at CRLS. For students in Learning Communities L and S, Daniel Hikes ’05—avid member of the city and school community through Breakthrough and other resources—will be their counselor.

This piece also appears in our September 2018 print edition.

Ms. Ossia is new to CRLS this year, teaching HN French 5 and AP French. She was born in Iran, grew up in France, and now lives in the United States. RF: What factors influenced your decision to come to CRLS? NO: I’ve always taken great interest in a school's mission statement and was particularly intrigued to find out that Rindge’s motto, “Opportunity, Diversity, and Respect,” was developed by the students themselves. The first word, “opportunity,” was aligned with what I saw in this school: a strong commitment from various stakeholders—administration, teachers, parents, and students—to make sure that this opportunity of getting a well-rounded education is accessible to all. I have met with dedicated staff members and am eager to become part of this community. RF: How does Cambridge compare to other environments in which you have taught? NO: Cambridge is well-known for its two prestigious universities, and I have to admit that I am still mesmerized by the level of competition amongst schools to send their students to major Ivy League institutions.