Deer Families
Deer Hill School News . June 10 2022
Dear Deer Hill Families,
Looking back on my last few newsletters, the theme of my opening letter remains consistent: while we are busy with end of the year learning, assessment, and special activities, we're also taking steps to launch a successful 2022-23 school year. Key components of that process are our School Handbook and School Improvement Plan. At Wednesday's School Committee meeting, I presented both of these documents for approval, and they'll soon be posted on our school website. This year an important tool in developing our new School Improvement Plan (SIP) was the Family-School Relationship Survey which was shared with Deer Hill families in April. At Wednesday night's meeting (a recording can be found on the Cohasset Live Streaming Facebook page), I presented an overview of survey results by highlighting strengths and takeaways that informed our new SIP. While there are many insights to be gleaned from these results, three recurring themes that surfaced can be summarized as follows:
- Differentiation (Who)
- Curriculum and Assessment (What)
- Engagement (Why)
These themes are not only reflected in the goals and action plan of Deer Hill's SIP, but are also embedded in our CPS Strategic Plan to which our SIP aligns. With these road markers in place, Deer Hill is well positioned to launch the 2022-23 school year with a clear purpose. But first, there is much to do and enjoy as we conclude this year!
All the best,
Alexandra L. Sullivan
Principal, Deer Hill School
P.S. Our next newsletter will be published on June 24, 2022.
P.P.S. Follow me on Twitter @DeerHillSchool for ongoing info and joy throughout the week.
Need to Knows
- At Wednesday's School Committee meeting, Superintendent Sullivan shared that all visitors to Cohasset schools must provide a driver's license in order to access the building. Visitors without proper ID will have to be verified through the Cohasset Police Department before gaining access.
Keeping the Joy (happenings at Deer Hill)
- This week saw the return of the CEF spelling bee which had a fresh new format that spanned three days. Participation was high and the spelling skills of students (as well as their teamwork, sportsmanship, and grace under pressure) was impressive! Many thanks to the CEF for their un-bee-lievable efforts to make this event such a success.
- Members of Bridgewater State University's Center for the Advancement of STEM Education (CASE) visited Deer Hill School this week to present an interactive workshop to Grade 4 students. The workshop focused on echolocation in bats, and incorporated life science, physical science and mathematics standards, including animal adaptations, sound, measurement and data collection. This program aligns with 4th grade's upcoming field trip to the Franklin Park Zoo, as well as an upcoming virtual presentation with the Museum of Science on animal adaptations.
- Also this week brought another great enrichment program from the PSO. Here is a blurb from their newsletter: This week, Chris Hitchener of the Mass Audubon Society visited the 5th Graders in Deer Hill’s STEM Lab to lead a workshop called “Wetlands & The Water Cycle”. Students participated in group activities to learn what makes a wetland, a wetland. They discussed the water cycle and how water flows and gathers over land, then described and compared the different types of wetlands found in MA and how they benefit people and our communities. The highlight of the visit was when the students were invited to hold and pet Carter the Garter snake!
- By the way, we're CONVINCED at Deer Hill that the Celtics won because of all of the spirit we showed before Wednesday's game. We hope it carries them through tonight's game, too!
- Last Saturday, member of the Deer Hill Change Makers, an enrichment program, delivered the generous donations from the Deer Hill community to the Scituate Animal Shelter. The shelter was very grateful and posted a thank you to the school on their Facebook page.
- Last Friday, Deer Hill was treated to an inspirational assembly by author John Miller. John, who is a person with autism, spoke of his challenges and successes including writing two books, achieving a black belt in taekwondo, and earning an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education.
- Many classes have recently paid visits to the Pratt library with more scheduled in the coming days. We're so grateful to have Mrs. Moody and this amazing resource in this community!
- On June 1, we kicked off the month with a fantastic spring concert. Both our chorus, led by Mrs. Lewis, and our band, led by Mr. DeWaal, showcased their talents with entertaining performances for a packed auditorium.
Deer Hill Dates
6.13: Schneider to Pratt library
6.14: Grade 4 to Franklin Park Zoo
6.14, 9:45-10:30: grade 2 visits Deer Hill
6.15 (rain date 6.16): Grade 5 egg drop, round 1
6.16, 10:00-11:25: DeSalvo to Pratt library
6.17: Grade 5 visits CMS
6.17: Grade 4 Diversity Day Fair presented by CHS AP students
6.20: Juneteenth observed; no school
6.21: (rain date 6.22): Deer Hill Field Day
6.23 (rain date tbd): egg drop round 2 (fire truck)
6.24: (rain date 6.27): 5th Grade Send Off
6.27, 9:45-10:15: Deer Hill Outdoor Yoga Flow
6.28: Grade 5 Environmental Showcase, 9:30-10:15
6.29, 9:45-10:15 grade 3/4 and 4/5 move up activities
6.30: Progress reports published
6.30: Last day of school
CPS and Deer Hill calendars 2021-22 school year (The 2022-2023 calendar has also been added to this link.)
Flyers of Interest
Deer Hill School
Alexandra L. Sullivan, Principal
Email: alsullivan@cohassetk12.org
Website: https://www.cohassetk12.org/
Location: 208 Sohier St., Cohasset, MA, USA
Phone: 781-383-6115
Twitter: @DeerHillSchool