School Committee makes consent education for CRLS athletes an ongoing, seasonal requirement

The Cambridge School Committee on April 15 adopted a motion to continue seasonal consent education workshops for Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) athletes and to institutionalize the student-led training model that has been piloted in recent seasons.

Member Alex Weinstein introduced the motion, noting the work of CRLS student Title IX advocates and athletic director Tom Maria, who described the program’s format and recent peer-led sessions. Member Rachel co-sponsored the motion. The committee approved the motion (recorded vote 6–0 with one member absent).

Program background and content

Tom Maria, CRLS athletic director, said students who completed the district’s train-the-trainer program have led sessions for team leaders and captains. He described workshops that address definitions, bystander/upstander behaviors, and athletics-specific contexts such as locker-room culture and team leadership dynamics. Maria said students also presented the program to athletic administrators from other schools and have drawn interest from other districts.

Committee members praised the student leaders and staff, and several members urged expanding outreach; committee members noted students have already taken the model into younger classrooms and community events. The motion asks the superintendent and athletics staff to sustain and adapt the seasonal workshops in formats best suited to student needs.

Why it matters: Committee members said embedding consent education in athletic programming helps shape culture where student leaders can influence team behavior and reduce gender-based harassment. Students and administrators described the initiative as student-driven and scalable.

Outcome: The motion passed by recorded vote with six members voting yes and one member recorded as absent. The committee directed staff to continue the seasonal consent education program and to adapt delivery as needs evolve.