THE NAVIGATOR
December 3, 2021
Newsletter
SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS!
Photo from Patriot Ledger
Please click on the link below to access even more pictures of the Super Bowl win courtesy of Dan Leahy
Great Season and Congratulations Girls Soccer!
Sports Information
MAMA MIA THE MUSICAL IS COMING TO COHASSET HIGH SCHOOL THIS WEEKEND: DECEMBER 3 - 5
Cohasset High School is excited to announce Mamma Mia as our fall musical! The performances will be December 3 - 5. We look forward to seeing the students perform in this wonderful musical. Thank you to all who helped make this opportunity happen for our students.
Masking Requirements at Cohasset High School
This week, because Cohasset High School (CHS) and Cohasset Middle School (CMS) exceeded the 80% vaccination threshold (fully vaccinated staff and students in both schools combined), the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) granted approval for CHS and CMS (no other schools in the district) to lift the mask mandate requirement for fully vaccinated individuals (individuals who have two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson’s Jannsen). At the November 17 Cohasset School Committee Meeting the Cohasset School Committee voted that masks will not be required for fully vaccinated individuals at CHS once students and staff in the combined CHS and CMS building reach the 80% vaccination threshold, we receive DESE approval, and we are operationally prepared to make this adjustment. It was also decided by vote that vaccinated individuals at CMS will remain masked until January 1, 2022. As a result of these school committee votes and DESE approval, the following changes will take place for Cohasset Middle School and Cohasset High School:
Beginning on Monday, December 6, 2021, the masking requirement will be lifted for fully vaccinated individuals at CHS only. Unvaccinated individuals are required to continue to wear masks in accordance with DESE guidelines.
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All Cohasset Middle School staff and students will continue to wear masks until January 1, 2022. As of this time, after January 1, masking will not be required for fully vaccinated individuals at CMS.
Masks will continue to be worn by all individuals at both CHS and CMS in the following locations:
- On the bus (wearing a mask on the bus is a federal mandate)
- In our nurses’ offices (at both CHS and CMS)
- In our shared learning commons
- Masking rules for athletics will follow MIAA guidelines
Masking will be required for all visitors to Cohasset Public Schools until further notice. This requirement includes all families who are attending sporting, theater, and musical events.
It should be noted that, regardless of vaccination status, individuals at Cohasset High School (beginning on December 6) and Cohasset Middle School (after January 1) may certainly choose to continue to wear a mask while in school. Any choice to wear a mask should not be viewed as an indication of one’s vaccination status. As a reminder, if your child’s vaccination status changes from unvaccinated to vaccinated, please contact your child’s school nurse. DESE reserves the right, following consultation with medical experts and state health officials, to re-institute the Department’s mask mandate at the shared building housing Cohasset Middle School and Cohasset High School, if it becomes appropriate based on state and local public health data. Thank you for your collaboration and vigilance regarding the above rules.
Images from the Week
Cohasset Students at the Thanks for Giving Road Race
Powder Puff Championship
Congratulations to Will A, our new Project 351 Ambassador for CMS. Also, thank you to Lucy R for her service and leadership as last year's representative.
WCVB Eye Opener anchor, Doug Meehan, meets with CMS students
Scituate fisherman, Frank Marachi, was interviewed by CMS students researching sustainability issues. Mr. Marachi described his efforts with Fishing for Energy program, which offers ways to recycle old fishing gear that could otherwise harm marine habitat.
Thanksgiving fun at Osgood
CHS students collaborate with Osgood to collect food for the Cohasset Football Food Drive
50s Day at Osgood
Parent presenting to Deer Hill regarding the culture, economy, and geographical features of Brazil
A shared "disguise the turkey" writing project between Ms. Carabba's and Mrs. McPhillip's 1st and Ms. Schneider and Mrs. Jordan's 5th graders ended with a reading of their published stories. Great collaboration!
National Honor Society Induction
CEF Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Fundraiser
Cohasset Community Health Update
Below please find the Cohasset Community Health Update as of December 2, 2021.
Community Health Information:
As of December 2, 2021, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID-19 test rate over the past 14 days is 4.94% with 688 tests reported. The town of Cohasset has 31 positive cases reported over the past two weeks. Currently, 86% of eligible Cohasset residents are fully vaccinated with 18% of eligible residents partially vaccinated. Here is the complete report issued on December 2, 2021.
Here is the Confirmed Positive COVID Cases Weekly Update Spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is also found on the district website under COVID-19 information. As always, all close contacts of COVID-19 positive individuals will be informed in a separate communication. When a positive case occurs, anyone who is determined to be a close contact is provided with specific instructions regarding testing and quarantining (if there is a need for them to test and quarantine).
Vaccination Attestation:
Please remember that as your child becomes fully vaccinated to please contact your child’s school nurse.
Proof of your child’s vaccination, submitted to your child’s school nurse, can be provided in one of the following ways:
- A signed self-attestation completed by a parent / legal guardian of the child indicating the brand of vaccine; or
- Documentation provided to the individual by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health or a health care provider. Documentation may include but is not limited to a COVID-19 vaccination record card or a copy or digital picture of the vaccination record card, or a print-out from the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS).
Thank you for your understanding and for your assistance.
Test and Stay:
In an effort to continue to do all we can to ensure our students and staff stay in school for in-person learning, we have added the use of Test and Stay to our successful safety protocols. Test and Stay is a state developed and supported program, which allows unvaccinated, asymptomatic students and staff, to test in school (in the morning) if they are determined to be close contacts from in-school exposure only, who are required to quarantine. It is important to remember that the use of Test and Stay applies only for unvaccinated, asymptomatic students and staff who are identified as needing to quarantine because of in-school exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual. Test and Stay is not available to students for any extramural (outside of school) exposures.
Parents and guardians who wish to have their children participate in the Cohasset School District Covid-19 testing, thus being eligible for Test and Stay, must click on the link provided and complete the consent forms.
Learning Models Available During Quarantines
Below is the process families should follow if they have a child who attends Cohasset Public Schools who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is a close contact to a COVID-19 positive individual and requires quarantine.
Step #1: Please contact your child’s nurse.
Step #2: Your child’s principal will then send you an email outlining the asynchronous (work provided for your child to complete) and synchronous (remote connection) learning models that will be available to your child during quarantine. Here is the letter that you will receive:
Dear Cohasset Family,
If you are receiving this email you have informed your school nurse that your child is COVID-19 positive or is in quarantine from exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual. All students will have the opportunity to receive a combination of asynchronous (work provided for your child to complete) and synchronous (remote connection) instruction during periods of COVID-19 quarantine.
All teachers will ensure that students who are COVID-19 positive or are in quarantine receive asynchronous work that is consistent with what the students are covering in the classroom at the time of the student’s quarantine. This work can be provided through Google Classroom, Google Slides, IXL, Dreambox, Lexia, independent reading, or other educational materials that connect directly to the information being taught in class at the time of the quarantine.
All elementary teachers will provide COVID-19 positive or quarantined elementary students the opportunity for meaningful synchronous interactions daily for each of these areas: social-emotional learning, ELA and math. All middle and high school teachers will provide quarantined middle and high school students the opportunity for daily meaningful synchronous interactions with their teachers. Teachers will work collaboratively with students and families to ensure an appropriate work load and to successfully transition students into the classroom.
Your child’s teachers have been notified of your child’s quarantine; however, if you do not hear from them within one school day, please feel free to contact them directly should you wish for your child to receive synchronous connections, as outlined above.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Building Principal
Step # 3: Please follow up with your child’s principal and teacher if you have any questions.
Thank you for your continued collaboration during this difficult time.
UPDATED CORONAVIRUS PROCEDURES
Please see the flyer below from last year's Project 351 Middle School Representative. Lucy R (current CHS 9th Grade Student), who is performing a community service project for 351. Way to go, Lucy!
School Cancelation Process and Information
Like weather forecasting, the school closing decision process is not a perfect science. However, I believe it is important for students and parents to understand how it works. I hope this FAQ document answers your questions.
Who makes the decision about whether or not to close school?
As Superintendent, I am responsible for the final decision. I work with District staff to monitor state and local weather forecasts and consult with officials from the Department of Public Works, Cohasset Police, and Cohasset Fire who provide updates to me on snow removal operations, neighborhood road conditions, and any power outages.
What time do I make the call?
My goal is to make the decision to open, close, or delay by 5:45 A.M. or earlier if possible. I try not to wait any longer as families then have little time to make arrangements for childcare, and some of our staff may have already left for work. Also, while I know there is often an interest in having a decision the night before, a lot can change overnight. I will try my best to make a decision as early as possible.
What information is gathered to aid in the decision?
There are multiple factors used in deciding whether or not to close school. Information on road conditions, snow accumulation predictions, building conditions such as electricity and heat, parking lot conditions, air temperature and wind chill, and estimated times from the Department of Public Works and Cohasset Police as to when roads, walkways, and parking lots will be cleared of snow and ice are all considered. I also consider the number of children who walk to school and student drivers.
Are Remote Days a Possibility this Year?
Short answer is, I hope so. Last year, the Commissioner of Education sanctioned Remote Days as an alternative to having to make-up a school day. He has not done so for this year, as of this time. We will keep you updated if Remote Days become a possibility for us when weather dictates students and staff should not travel to school, but power is sufficient to have virtual connections and on-line work.
What is a delayed opening?
Rather than close school for a whole day due to short-term weather situations, there may be days when the beginning of school will be delayed one hour, ninety minutes, or two hours. School will simply start later by the length of the delay. Bus pickup, therefore, will also occur later. For example, if your child is normally picked up at 6:55 A.M., during a two-hour delayed opening, your child will be picked up at 8:55 A. M. Lunch will still be available, and dismissal will be at the regularly scheduled times.
What happens to Pre School and Half Day Kindergarten during a delayed opening?
When a delayed opening is called, the Pre School and Half Day Kindergarten classes are cancelled.
What are parents’ / guardians' responsibilities?
The safety of your child is paramount. On days when weather conditions are questionable, but school remains open, parents are free to exercise discretion and keep children home from school. Parents of young drivers are asked to reinforce winter weather driving skills: allowing
extra travel time, reducing speed, and not worrying about being late.
How are days made up?
As per State regulations, students must attend school for a minimum of 180 days and the school year must end by June 30. If school is closed due to weather, the day will be made up at the end of the school year.
How do power outages affect the decision?
Inclement weather can affect the timeline for utility companies to restore electricity. If all school buildings have electricity, the goal will be to open school. Other factors also influence the decision, including whether a large number of neighborhoods are without power.
How is the public notified?
Announcements about school closings and delays are posted as outlined below. Please be advised that, depending upon the severity of the storm, school and district administration offices may also be closed in addition to cancelling classes for students.
· District website (www.cohassetk12.org)
· Twitter @SuperCohasset (I will usually tweet the cancelation first…so follow me If you want the early scoop)
· Black Board Connect Automated Telephone Notification Service (if operational)
· WBZ TV and Radio (Channel 4)
· WATD 95.9
· WHDH Channel 7 and 56
· WCVB Fox 25 and Channel 5
I will try to send periodic updates via Black Board Connect messages whenever possible should the storm extend for any period of time beyond the day or should the storm result in continued questionable community conditions.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
CMS Pond Street Press
Please see the link below to access the most recent edition of The Pond Street Press Middle School Newspaper. Pictured below our some of the amazing student editors hard at work in preparing the edition. Great job, students!
A Message from Department of Children and Families (DCF) Looking for Foster Families
"Is there room in your home and heart for a foster child? The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is actively recruiting foster parents for children in Cohassset coming into care. We are searching for individuals or families with the love and patience to help foster children. You can be single, married, partnered, divorced or widowed. You can own your home or rent.
We need homes for children aged 0 to 22 which include sibling groups, children with special needs, medically involved children, and infants born exposed to drugs and older teens. We are looking for long-term foster homes but also have a need for emergency and respite homes which involve a shorter time commitment on the part of a foster family.
Our goal is to provide our foster children with a supportive and healing environment in a home in their own community until they can be reunited with their families or another plan can be made on their behalf. The rewards of providing daily care, guidance and acceptance are immeasurable.
If you are thinking about becoming a foster parent, you can learn more about the application process and the supports provided by the Department by attending an information meeting.
Please contact Jahnea.Johnson@mass.gov or by phone (857)295-0162." - DCF
Cohasset PSO Happenings
Cohasset Public Schools Launches Strategic Plan for 2021- 2024
Cohasset Public Schools Vision of Equity
BE THE CHANGE
Please visit our website for resources regarding the promotion of diversity.
2021 - 2022 Cohasset School District Calendar
RISE Program
Information from Director of Finance and Operations, Susan Owen
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Assistant Superintendent Leslie Scollins, Ed.D.
Revised Elementary Progress Reports
The Elementary Progress Reports were recently revised to reflect the 2017 revision of the ELA and Math Massachusetts Frameworks as well as align from grade to grade. The Elementary Progress Report is intended to show a student’s progress toward mastery of the expected grade level standards. Some standards are the same or similar across grade levels, however the depth and expectation increases as the student moves up in grade level.
There are some additional revisions to the progress report that include additional indicators in specialist areas (Art, Music, Physical Education), the removal of comments related to Art, Music and Physical Education due to the increase in indicators, the addition of a section on Skills that Support Learning, and a revised performance rating system for standards and skills that support learning.
Our teachers focus on student performance over multiple opportunities, not simply the grading and averaging of tests and quizzes. Each trimester (grades 1-5) or semester (Kindergarten) students are provided opportunities to practice, attain and demonstrate proficiency and understanding of the Massachusetts State Frameworks. Teachers collect evidence through observation, anecdotal notes, performance tasks, quizzes and tests. Teachers use this information throughout the year to evaluate student progress, create instruction to support individual student learning, and determine mastery of grade level expectation of the standards.
During the revision process teachers, reading and math specialists, building and district leadership discussed the Performance Indicators of the previous progress report and through careful review and reflection decided to replace numbers with letter symbols. All grade levels have the same rating for consistency. As opposed to report cards, standards-based progress reports are formative assessments. They represent a “moment in time” of student performance. Teachers will continue to address concepts that may not have been mastered yet.
Standards-based progress reports are scored using increased expectations each term. Therefore, if your child’s score remains the same from one term to the next, it means that he or she is growing and keeping pace with expectations. If it goes down, it does not mean that he or she has regressed but that he or she has not kept the same pace relative to the expectations for that term. For the first term certain standards will be marked N/A, though fewer as the year progresses. This indicates that while students may have been introduced to these standards, they have not been addressed to a degree that allows for evaluation at this time. Math will have more N/As the first term because we are following the Bridges Math program which builds upon itself throughout the year.
Please use this link to see samples of the progress reports.
I will be presenting an overview of the Elementary Progress Report process and revisions on Tuesday, December 7 at 10:30 am via Zoom. Here is the link to the webinar (Passcode: 705259).
I would like to thank the committee for their reflective and thoughtful work in creating this revised progress report.
Professional Development
Office of Student Services
Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Information
A Message from our Director of Student Services, Barbara Cerwonka
To Parents/Guardians of Cohasset Public Schools :
The Cohasset Public Schools believes in providing the highest quality of education for our students. This letter is to provide you with information about a three-tiered instructional approach we use to meet this goal, referred to as Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
For MTSS, all students will participate in the core curriculum, with three levels (tiers) of interventions for students who demonstrate at-risk skills in general academics or behavior/social emotional areas. Each tier provides additional support beyond the core curriculum. All students receive formal and informal checks to measure their progress to determine if they are performing at an expected level. Behavioral and social emotional impacts are also monitored on a regular basis through the year.
Tier One- Teachers will use different strategies as universal supports within the core curriculum to address all student educational needs.
Tier Two- Based on progress data, students who require more support than Tier One will be provided targeted interventions matched to their needs within the general classroom by the classroom teacher and/or support staff in the classroom. The Tiered Support Team will track the student’s progress, and parents/guardians will receive ongoing progress data.
Tier Three- Students who continue to require measures beyond Tier Two will receive more intensive interventions at this level. Parents/guardians will receive ongoing progress data. After Tier Three implementation, students who continue to display limited progress may then be considered for further evaluation and services.
Our schools are excited to take part in this process to improve educational outcomes for all students. As always, do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or myself if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Barbara Cerwonka, Director of Student Services
Office of Student Services
143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA 02025-1999
Telephone 781-383-6104
Please see the Basic Rights in Special Education Presentation by Director of Student Services Barbara Cerwonka below
SAFE HARBORS UPDATES
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Messages from Safe Harbors:
It's almost mid-November-already! Thanksgiving is just around the corner bringing the season to give thanks. We are thankful for our kind, caring community.
For a fun opportunity to give back, Ground Level Cafe is collecting non-perishable goods at their upcoming event on November 19th. All teens in grades 7-12 who live in Cohasset or attend Cohasset Public Schools are welcome-details below!
Today on Veterans Day and every day, thank you to the brave veterans and servicemembers who proudly serve our country.
MA Opioid-Related Overdose Death Rate Up 1% In The First 9 Months of 2021
PRESS RELEASE-MA Department of Public Health, November, 2021
"BOSTON — Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts rose slightly in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same time last year, according to preliminary data released (November 10, 2021) by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). In the first nine months of the year, there were 1,613 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths, approximately 21 more deaths than in the first nine months of 2020, or a 1 percent increase."
Please click here to continue...
State Study Finds Fatal Opioid Overdoses Rose Among Workers
By Associated Press, WBUR, November, 2021
“Fatal opioid overdoses nearly doubled in recent years among Massachusetts workers, with the construction, farming and fishing industries among the hardest hit sectors, according to an updated study from the state Department of Public Health released Monday.”
Please click here to continue…
Click Here To Learn About MA Social Host Liability
A HUGE THANK YOU to the Cohasset families and merchants who have joined the Our Safe Home Directory- a community of people and businesses who share a commitment to provide a fun, safe, substance-free space for our youth!
Click Here to Learn More About The Our Safe Home Directory
Ground Level Cafe
Friday, November 19th, 7pm-9pm
Get Together-Give Back! Cohasset teens in grades 7-12, please join us at November's Ground Level Cafe and help us stock our local food pantry! We encourage all attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to donate.
Don't miss this great opportunity to hang with friends, listen to music, play games or perform. Music, poetry, stand-up comedy, theatre-all forms of artistic expression are welcome!
The Important Role Families Play In Stopping the Spread of COVID-19
Families play an important role in helping to create a culture that prioritizes health and safety. Families should check their children daily for signs of COVID-19 and should keep them home from school if they are not feeling well or if they have been in close contact with a person who has been recently diagnosed with COVID-19. It is also important that families support students wearing masks in school and on the bus. We are strongest when we work together to stop the spread (Initial Fall School Re-entry Guidance, 2020).
CPS Pledge: Healthy and Responsible Behaviors Regarding COVID-19
By coming into Cohasset Public Schools, I pledge I am following:
State expectations for social and physical distancing
Regulations regarding the wearing of facial coverings
Quarantine directives put forth by the Massachusetts Department of Health and the Cohasset Department of Health
Guidance that has students and staff stay home from school / work if they are experiencing symptoms of fever, fatigue, difficulty breathing, or dry cough or if they have exhibited any symptoms relating to COVID-19
Osgood: Dave Vinton dvinton@cohassetk12.org
Deer Hill: Laurie Dolan ldolan@cohassetk12.org
Robyn Costa rcosta@cohassetk12.org
CMS: Emily Manewal emanewal@cohassetk12.org
CHS: Leanne McCarthy lmccarthy@cohassetk12.org
Take Care of Yourself and Take Care of Each Other
Please click on the following link to access even more information on the Cohasset Public Schools Web Site.
Please follow me on Twitter for daily updates from the Cohasset Public Schools
Email: psullivan@cohassetk12.org
Website: https://www.cohassetk12.org/
Phone: 781 383 6111
Twitter: @SuperCohasset