THE NAVIGATOR
November 19, 2021
Newsletter
Happy Thanksgiving
A reminder that Wednesday, November 24 will be a regular early release day for Cohasset Public Schools:
Middle and High School Dismissal: 12:30PM
Deer Hill School Dismissal: 1:15PM
Joseph Osgood School Dismissal: 1:20PM
Have a great Thanksgiving,
Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cohasset Public Schools
National Honor Society Induction
Images from the Week
Principal Mills, Mrs. Ryan, Mrs. Jewell, and Middle School Student Council Members, present regarding Student Voice and Agency and Student Council at CMS
Students Nora Elwell and Josh Young presented to School Committee regarding their Eagle Scout Projects. Nora is designing and building a GaGa Ball Court for Deer Hill, and Josh is building benches for the softball field. Great job and thank you, Nora and Josh.
Mrs. Dorian presents regarding Native American clothing to Deer Hill students
Our Amazing Osgood Math Specialist, Mrs. Campbell, Celebrates a Birthday and "We Love Math Day" at Osgood
Thank you to the PSO for bringing Geography Artist Neal Nichols to Osgood and Deer Hill this Past Week!
GO BLUE!
Fall Sports Teams Find Great Success in the Tournament
Boys soccer defeated Lunenburg and Amesbury in early tournament rounds, and lost in penalty shots to Frontier Regional High School this past Saturday in Quarter Final Action. Congratulations to the boys and coaches on a tremendous season.
Field Hockey defeated Bellingham and Joseph Case before losing a close match to Uxbridge in the Quarter Finals. Great job on an excellent season.
Cross-Country and Cheer performed well at their respective state competitions. Nice work coaches and athletes. Senior Ben Ford and the girls cross country team travel to Westfield this weekend for All-State competition. Good luck!
Football defeated Nantucket in early tournament action, and, most recently, defeated Hamilton Wenham in the Quarter Finals. They will travel to Carver High School to play Mashpee in the State Semi-Finals tonight (11/19) at 7:00PM. Don't forget the exciting Thanksgiving Game, which will take place vs. Hull High School (at Hull) on Thanksgiving Day. Good Luck!
Girls Soccer defeated Sturgis and Monument Mountain in earlier rounds, and defeated Hampshire Regional High School in the Quarter Finals. This past Tuesday, the girls defeated Millbury in the state Semi-Finals. Girls Soccer will play Hamilton Wenham at 12:00PM at Manning Field in Lynn tomorrow (11/20) for the State Championship. Good Luck, Girls!
Photo by Dan Lahey
Images and Stories regarding Cohasset Sports tournament action by William Wassersug and the Cohasset Anchor.
Cohasset High School Football travels to Carver High School to play Mashpee in the State Semi-Finals tonight (11/19) at 7:00PM
Sports Information
Please Click on the Link Below to Access Schedules and Other Sports Information
CEF Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Fundraiser
Cohasset Football Food Drive to Benefit the Cohasset Food Pantry
The Cohasset Football Team is again sponsoring a FOOD DRIVE to benefit the Cohasset Food Pantry. We are looking to collect and donate $50.00 gift certificates to Stop & Shop and/or Shaws so the Pantry can dispurse them once a month.
The Food Pantry would be thrilled if we could add some non-perishable items to the wish list.
The following items will help to fill our Christmas dinner bags and to replenish our shelves for the winter.
Coffee ( Stop & Shop brand is great )
Juice ( apple & cranberry )
Hot chocolate
Boxed Instant potatoes ( all kinds )
Tuna in water
Peanut butter
Jams & jellies
Canned pineapple
Tins of butter cookies
Laundry detergent ( unscented )
Dish detergent
Gratefully,
The Food Pantry Team
Thanks for Giving Road Race
Be part of the Cohasset Thanksgiving Tradition by registering for the Cohasset Thanks-For-Giving 5k Road Race. Proceeds from the race benefit the Cohasset Recreation Department and the Clark Chatterton Memorial Fund. Runners and walkers are welcome, and the first 650 registrants will receive a race t-shirt.
You can go the Cohasset Recreation Department website to register for the race: https://www.cohassetrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=14223
Cohasset Community Health Update
Community Report:
Below please find the Cohasset Community Health Update as of November 18, 2021.
School Committee Update from 11/17/2021 Cohasset School Committee Meeting:
Last evening, the Cohasset School Committee voted to remove spacing requirements for Cohasset High School (CHS) only, effective today. Also, the Cohasset School Committee voted that masks will not be required for vaccinated individuals at CHS once we reach the 80% vaccination percentage required to lift the mask mandate for vaccinated individuals (we are at 79% vaccination attestation for the middle-high school), attain approval from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Cohasset School Committee fulfills bargaining requirements regarding masking. It was also decided by vote that vaccinated individuals at Cohasset Middle School (CMS) will stay masked until January 1, 2022. After January 1, masking will not be required for vaccinated individuals at CMS. Although there was nothing formally decided, the school committee and leadership did discuss the possibility of setting January 18, 2022 as a date for potentially removing spacing at Cohasset Middle School, Deer Hill School, and Joseph Osgood School. We will continue to discuss this possibility at future school committee meetings, as we monitor case rates and vaccination percentages. All Cohasset Employees are required to attest to vaccination status by the end of the week. Here is the Presentation on Masking and Distancing from last evening’s School Committee Meeting.
Community Health Information:
As of November 18, 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 3.11% with 611 tests reported. The town of Cohasset has 17 positive cases reported over the past two weeks. Currently, 85% of eligible Cohasset residents are fully vaccinated with 14% of eligible residents partially vaccinated. Here is the complete report issued on November 18, 2021.
To date, since the start of the pandemic, we have had no know transmission of COVID-19 in our schools. 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 see below for the updated vaccination attestation percentages as of 11/17/2021:
Cohasset High School (CHS):
Total # students enrolled: 424
Students fully vaccinated: 371
Student vaccination percentage: 88%
Total # staff at CHS: 97
# of Staff attestations received indicating they are vaccinated: 75
Staff attestation percentage indicating they are vaccinated: 77%
Vaccination attestations received: 76
Vaccination attestations still to be received: 21
Total # of students and staff at CHS: 521
Total number of students and staff at CHS who have attested they are vaccinated: 446
TOTAL VACCINATION PERCENTAGE FOR CHS = 86%
Cohasset Middle School (CMS):
Total # students enrolled: 318
Students fully vaccinated: 213
Student vaccination percentage: 67%
Total # staff at CMS: 49
# of Staff attestations received indicating they are vaccinated: 44
Staff attestation percentage indicating they are vaccinated: 89%
Vaccination attestations received: 45
Vaccination attestations still to be received: 4
Total # of students and staff at CMS: 367
Total number of students and staff at CMS who have attested they are vaccinated: 257
TOTAL VACCINATION PERCENTAGE FOR CMS = 70%
Total # students and staff at CMHS combined: 888
# of student and staff attestations received indicating they are vaccinated: 703
TOTAL VACCINATION PERCENTAGE FOR CMHS = 79%
Deer Hill (students not able to be completely vaccinated as of today):
Total # of staff at Deer Hill: 63
# of staff attestations received indicating they are vaccinated: 60
Staff attestation percentage indicating they are vaccinated: 95%
Osgood (students not able to be completely vaccinated as of today):
Total # of staff at Osgood: 68
# of staff attestations received indicating they are vaccinated: 66
Staff attestation percentage indicating they are vaccinated: 97%
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 as a result 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.
Vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 are now available:
Please click on the link to access a letter from Margaret Cooke, Acting Commissioner of Massachusetts Department of Health and Jeffrey Riley, Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for children, ages 5 to 11.
Please see the link for the latest DESE FAQ.
Further discussions regarding mask mandates and distancing requirements will take place at upcoming School Committee Meetings.
UPDATED CORONAVIRUS PROCEDURES
Celebrating School Psychologist, Educational Support Professionals, and Substitute Teachers
Please see the flyer below from last year's Project 351 Middle School Representative. Lucy Royston (current CHS 9th Grade Student), who is performing a community service project for 351. Way to go, Lucy!
Update from Cohasset METCO Director, Aleisa Gittens-Carle
Cohasset METCO Bus Stop Block Party -- It Takes a Village
On Tuesday, November 2nd and Tuesday November 9th, the Cohasset METCO Program held its first and second Bus Stop Block Party. You ask what is a bus stop block party? Well, a Block Party is simply an opportunity for whole communities to come together and celebrate being a part of that community. An entire street or block would be cordoned off and everyone would bring food, music, and games to be shared among all of the participants. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors while having fun.
So, in the parking lots of our bus stop locations, we set up a table showcasing Cohasset and Cohasset METCO gear, goodie bags for the parents and a quick game of “Can you guess the candy slogan?” . Parents were introduced to each other, played the game and continued to share as they awaited the arrival of their children from the bus. These few moments also gave Ms. Aleisa the chance to update parents about what’s happening in Cohasset and to build upon the relationships begun at the start of the school year. While we planned on a quick fifteen minute event, many of the families hung out long after the children had arrived and the bus left. It’s always those unexpected moments that bring you just what you need after a long day. It truly does take a village to ensure our children continue to be the best they can be.
Here are a few pictures from both events….
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!
MAMA MIA THE MUSICAL IS COMING TO CHS ON 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 student perform in this wonderful musical.
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.
Instructional Literacy Team (ILT)
The elementary ILT is made up of a group of general education and special education teachers, reading specialists, and building and district leadership. The group will meet 4 times over the course of the year during the school day. There was much interest from the staff which shows their passion and commitment to literacy. I want to thank all the staff who volunteered to be part off the ILT. It was a challenging decision process for Principal Farrell, Principal Sullivan, and me because we value everyone’s opinions and feedback, but we need to stick to the established number of staff to keep the team manageable. However, those staff on the ILT will be soliciting staff feedback and ideas, therefore the whole staff will have a voice.
The ILT members are:
Mrs. Stillman, Mrs. Massari, Ms. DeLeo, Mrs. Parell, Mrs. Deininger, Mrs. Winter, Mrs. Dumoulin, Mrs. Ellis, Principal Farrell, Principal Sullivan, and Dr. Scollins
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