THE NAVIGATOR
September 30, 2022
Newsletter
Images of the Week
Medical club with Mr. Savage. Students are learning how to suture to perfection.
CMS cross-country team had their preseason informational meeting this week. Coaches Greaney, Henry & Mullally welcomed almost 3 dozen interested students!
Great teaching at CMS
Bus Safety Presentation at Osgood...Thank you to our Transportation Supervisor, Ray Miscioscia, drivers, and everyone who helped.
Great Teaching & Learning at Deer Hill & Osgood
School Facilities Condition Study & "Senior Study" Visit
Overall Recommendation for Cohasset Middle School and Cohasset High School is for "Comprehensive Renovation and Addition or New Construction as Defined by the Massachusetts School Building Authority and its Core Program"
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CHS Athletic Complex Update
Phase two of the field replacement underway. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, NO ONE IS ALLOWED WITHIN THE FIELD GATES FOR ANY REASON. Thank you for your understanding. We are excited for the new track...it will be wonderful! Here are some pictures showing the recent progress...
October is National Principals' Month
We are fortunate to have four wonderful principals leading our amazing schools. Thank you, Principal Farrell, Principal Sullivan, Principal Mills, and Principal Scott for all you do for Cohasset staff, students, and families.
National Custodians' Day
Thank you to our amazing custodians for all they do each day to keep our buildings safe, clean, and filled with pride.
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Virtual Coffee
Monday, October 3 from 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Excessive Student Absence Notification
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76 requires that each school notify parents and guardians if their student has five (5) or more unexcused school absences. Parents and guardians will receive a letter when their child has 5, 10, and/or 15+ days of unexcused absences. The letter will also include the number of unexcused tardies and unexcused early dismissals.
Absences will be excused under the following circumstances:
After a medical appointment documented with a note from the medical office
Illness or quarantine with a note from the appropriate medical office
Observance of a religious holiday
Bereavement or serious illness in family
Court appearance
A child may also be excused for other exceptional reasons with approval of the Principal or designee in accordance with the school committee policy and the regulations set in Chapter 76
Daily attendance is essential to a student's success. Missing a significant number of days of school has a detrimental effect on academic and social development. Therefore, each school will work with individual families to support student attendance.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Assistant Superintendent Leslie Scollins, Ed.D.
Curriculum Updates
Curriculum Review Process
The Cohasset Public School District will begin a formalized five-year curriculum review cycle this year. Development of a curriculum review process is an essential component to maintaining a focus on continuous improvement of student learning. The curriculum review cycle consists of four phases:
- Self-Study: Analysis of the current curriculum and development of action plan
- Develop/Redesign: Development and revision of curriculum
- Implement/Monitor: Implementation and monitoring of curriculum (2 years)
- Evaluate: Evaluation of data/outcomes
The rationale for a Curriculum Review Process:
- Ensures that the district has clearly articulated curriculum that is well coordinated through PreK-12
- Provides for an ongoing review and revision of curriculum
- Supports the ongoing use of assessment data to inform and improve curriculum and instructional practices
- Ensures that revisions and updates to curriculum, instruction, and assessment take place to maintain adherence to changes in state and federal mandates, as well as MA Curriculum Frameworks
- Ensures that curriculum is culturally responsive, unbiased, and inclusive
- Outlines a planned approach towards researching and budgeting for expenditures in curricular materials and professional development
- Evaluates potential needs for curricular or programmatic changes to support student learning
This process of curriculum design and revision is based on the process of backwards design. The foundation of backwards design of curriculum is to determine first, based on our state curriculum standards, what students will know and be able to do and clarify these expectations in a written and communicated curriculum map.
This year Math and Music/Art will be in Phase 1 of the Curriculum Review Process. Please see the Curriculum Review Calendar.
Each content area will involve the creation of a steering committee which will have representatives from district and building leadership, department chairs, and teachers PrK-12. There will be opportunities for family input throughout the process.
Curriculum Initatives
Professional Development
Next Friday, October 7th, is a full professional day for staff. The high school will continue their work in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) school accreditation process. NEASC supports K-12 public schools and school districts. They partner with public schools through the ongoing cycle of accreditation which include self-reflection, peer review, school improvement, and ongoing monitoring to ensure all student experience a high quality education. This is a multi-year process and CHS is in year one.
The middle school staff will participate in professional development provided by Curriculum Associates to learn more about how to interpret and use the data generated from the i-Ready Math Diagnostic. This professional development is part of a grant that the district secured for the the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In addition, the staff will collaborate as departments. The science department will continue their work with implementing the OpenSciEd curriculum and the other departments will review books, units/lessons and other materials through a lens of culturally responsive and inclusive teaching.
Elementary staff will continue their work in literacy with Teaching and Learning Alliance consultants. Through out the year there will be many opportunities for embedded professional development for staff. Embedded professional development provides explicit instruction for our teachers with in the moment coaching and feedback.
Please see the professional development calendar below for more information about the professional development that is planned for the year.
Assessment
MCAS 2022 Results
Cohasset High School Vision of the Graduate
Student Opportunity Act (SOA)
The Student Opportunity Act (SOA) implements the recommendations of the 2015 Foundation Budget Review Commission and includes other provisions to benefit our public schools.
As part of the SOA, districts are required to submit three-year, evidence-based plans aimed at closing persistent disparities in achievement among student subgroups. The District submitted the SOA Plan in January 2021 and then sent the amended plan in March 2022. Please see the presentation below.
First Responder High Five Day coming on 10/14/2022
District Curriculum Accommodation Plan (DCAP) Revised
Thank you, CEF for your amazing generosity!
CEF Spring Awards 2022
CHS
Financial Literacy Fair: $5925 Nicole Fitzgerald
This grant would support CHS in hosting the Credit for Life fair, an authentic learning experience promoting college and career readiness and financial literacy for all students. Student participants choose an occupation and make a variety of financial decisions, ranging from where to live and how to save for retirement to buying a television or owning a pet.” This grant will help purchase all reusable signage, supplies, and materials and cover one year of operating expenses.
Culture Workshops: $4900 Brian Scott
Ashley Bendicksen will present a keynote speech to all students, followed by a two workshops;
BYSTANDER INTERVENTION: Your Power as a Difference Maker (for all students) and SELF-ESTEEM & THE MEDIA: Mastering the Real "Selfie" Game (for girls). The goals of the project are to capitalize on two identified student strengths, trust and empathy, in order to build the capacity in students to advocate for themselves and for others.
CMS
Art: Invisible Differences: $2000 D’Alessandro/LaPanne
Specialized 3d art workshop from local artist who focuses on identifying ‘hidden’ strengths from within to celebrate our uniqueness and our differences. Students will gain an appreciation and understanding of individuality and learning difficulties while exploring creativity through art.
Math Tools: $1200 Erin Foley
This grant provides mini whiteboards and math manipulatives to encourage innovation in learning styles and to promote healthy group working. The ability to try out different approaches and erase them easily gives sharing confidence and can reduce the fear of ‘failure’. A ‘do and review’ approach develops a math mindset and reduces math anxiety in students.
Deer Hill
Modern Classroom: $22847 Kim Kurker/Lisa Radden
This grant is focused on increasing student learning engagement by creating a safe and flexible learning space for students who need a non-traditional classroom environment to thrive. The grant provides universal design furnishings, technology, sensory seating and storage and is a flexible and adaptable space for multi-functional purposes.
STEM Integration, phase 2: $1500 Suzi Corkhum
This grant partners with an outside consultant to provide teacher training to show teachers how to write and use code, as well as training them on the use of the Circuit Playground, ROOT Robotics and PyGamer components available at the school. The aim is to integrate STEM tools , technologies and principles into other areas of the curriculum and increase teacher confidence in differentiated ways to support learning standards in their subject areas.
STEAM Lab: $29940 Alex Sullivan/Lisa Radden
The STEAM Lab is ‘phase 1’ of a broader project to bring an ‘Innovation and Literacy Commons’ to Deer Hill. The lab will adjoin to a large room and will provide a range of technology, specialized furniture and technology equipment to support communication, collaboration and critical thinking skill development in class.
Osgood
Computer Lab Smart Board: $7000 Lehr/O’Brien
This grant provides a mobile interactive flat panel screen for the Osgood Computer Lab to create an interactive learning environment that is equitable to all learning abilities and developmental ages.
Art: Invisible Differences: $2700 McPhillips/Carabba/Winter
Specialized 3d art workshop from local artist who focuses on identifying ‘hidden’ strengths from within to celebrate our uniqueness and our differences. Students will gain an appreciation and understanding of individuality and learning difficulties while exploring creativity through art.
Theater Returns to CMS!
We are excited for the upcoming play...Performance Dates will be Announced
Sports Information
Excellent Sports Action this Week.. Go Blue!
Cohasset Golf...Pictures and Story by William Wassersug in The Cohasset Anchor
"VITAL 2-0 bounce back win (for boys' soccer) at Abington. Potential season saver, this one. 3-5 overall, 3-0 in the SSL. Another tough nonleague matchup with Wayland on Saturday." - Coach Willis
Cohasset Football...Story and Pictures by William Wassersug In The Cohasset Anchor
Cohasset Volleyball...Story and Pictures by William Wassersug in The Cohasset Anchor
Great match vs. Scituate
Cohasset Field Hockey
Patriot Ledger Field Hockey Top 10
TOP 10: South Shore field hockey rankings
1. @braintreefh
2. @HarbormenNews
3. @canton_FH
4. @CohassetSports
5. @MiddleboroAD
6. @carver_fh
7. @scituatehigh
8. @han_athletics
9. @OAHSTigersports
10. @ClipperAD
Girls' Soccer
Dan Leahy Photo
Cohasset Cross-Country...Story and Pictures from The Cohasset Anchor
Cohasset Public Schools' Strategic Plan for 2021- 2024
Please Click on the Link Below to Access the Entire Strategic Plan
A Downloadable Version of the Calendar Can Be Found Below
School Improvement Plans for 2022-2023
From Commissioner of Education Riley’s memo to Superintendents sent on August 15, 2022:
“The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools. Districts and schools are reminded that there is no longer any statewide masking mandate in schools (other than school health offices) and there is no testing requirement for schools.” We will continue to respect the right of individuals to wear masks at any time during the school day.
“Effective August 15, 2022, all students and staff in childcare, school in grades K-12, or participating in out-of-school time (OST) and recreational camp settings should follow the updated isolation and exposure guidance issued by DPH, in alignment with recently issued guidance from CDC. No asymptomatic person should be excluded from school as a result of exposure, regardless of vaccination status or exposure setting.”
An additional link on isolation and exposure guidance can be found here:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-exposure-guidance-for-the-general-public
Finance and Operations Updates
Finance and Operations News:
For Employees:
We continue to update our school website. Please visit the Human Resource page located within the Finance and Operations Department. There you will find lots of exciting information for staff including training videos for Aspen, Aesop as well as updated employee forms. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the HR page, please email jballard@cohassetk12.org
Transportation News:
For Parents / Guardians:
BUS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2022-2023 IS UNDER WAY
Effective for the 2022-2023 school year, Cohasset Public Schools will continue to administer a fee-based transportation program. The application fee applies to students in Grades K-6 who reside less than or equal to 2 miles from their designated school, and all students in
Grades 7-12.
Please visit the Cohasset Public Schools website for more information and the register your child for transportation.
All students will be required to have a bus pass after September 15th. Please see our website for information on replacement badges.
Thank you for your patience as we roll out Stopfinder!
Stopfinder is the all-in-one parent engagement app designed by parents for parents to keep you in the know. Receive bus location and messages, updates, and alerts in real-time. No other parent app provides this much information in real-time to parents and school transportation departments. Think of the peace of mind when parents and guardians know where their child’s bus is and when their student arrives at school or when dropped off at the bus stop.
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All this power in the palm of your hand.
The Stopfinder app is secure and protected. But the app requires your local district to be utilizing Transfinder’s Routefinder software. Stopfinder with Routefinder software will provide your district accurate real-time updates of routes and bus substitutions.
Please visit the Transportation tab on our website, for tutorials on how the parent app works. If you do not receive an email invite, please check your spam folder.
We are a proud METCO District!
Cohasset Public Schools Vision of Equity
CPS Equity Vision Statement
BE THE CHANGE
Please visit our website for resources regarding the promotion of diversity.
Cohasset PSO Happenings
Cohasset Education Foundation (CEF)
RISE Program
Office of Student Services
UPDATES
Opening Letters and Information Regarding Multi-Tiered Student System of Supports (MTSS)
Multi-Tiered System of Supports
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 and instruction. 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- As the largest tier, and the foundation for the entire framework, Tier 1 encompasses the entire school with core instruction and basic interventions. This structure helps to build positive relationships between staff and students. It includes proactive classroom strategies aimed at creating a supportive learning atmosphere. Teachers will use different strategies as universal supports within the core curriculum and instruction to address all student educational needs. These supports include but are not limited to items identified within the District Accommodation Plan (DCAP) and/or the School Accommodation Plans.
● 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 Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) 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 individualized interventions at this level. Parents/guardians will be notified of these supports and 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 School is 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.
Respectfully,
___________________________
Barbara Cerwonka, M.Ed.
Director of Student Services
Child Find Notification
Be Sure to View the Information on the Student Services Web Page
Digital Learning & Technology Updates
Dear CPS Families, Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! Please review our Tech For Families page on the Cohasset Public Schools web site for a list of links and Getting Started resources for CPS families, such as Aspen and Google. LINK: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4455 All parent/guardians of CPS students are now able to verify and update their contact information in Aspen's Family Portal. Please see the web site for more details and instructions. LINK: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4859 For Families in Grades 6-12, your child is a member of our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program. Check out our recommended specifications to ensure that you purchase a device that will support their learning at CPS. Contact our IT Help Desk for help with your Aspen Family or Student Portal Account, a forgot/lost Cohasset K12 Google Account password, or for assistance with your child’s BYOD device.
LINK:: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4454
Follow these steps to help your child install the BYOD certificate at home:
LINK: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4470
LINK: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4481
Wishing you and your child a wonderful 2022-2023 school year!
Sincerely,
Lisa Radden
Director of Digital Learning and Technology
Cohasset Public Schools
lradden@cohassetk12.org
SAFE HARBORS UPDATES
The Town of Cohasset is seeking a full-time Project Coordinator to join the Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition Team.
Most Recent Safe Harbors Newsletter
Thank you to all of our counselors for their caring and selfless work throughout the District!
Osgood: Dave Vinton dvinton@cohassetk12.org (adjustment counselor)
Deer Hill: Robyn Costa rcosta@cohassetk12.org (adjustment counselor)
Deer Hill and Osgood: Maeve Dulles mdulles@cohassetk12.org (adjustment counselor)
Deer Hill and Osgood: Alyson Doyle adoyle@cohassetk12.org (school psychologist)
CMS: Emily Manewal emanewal@cohassetk12.org (adjustment Counselor)
Allison Pearce apearce@cohassetk12.org (school psychologist)
CHS: Laura Struzziery lstruzziery@cohassetk12.org (lead counselor)
Leanne McCarthy lmccarthy@cohassetk12.org (high school adjustment counselor)
Kevin McGowan kmcgowan@cohassetk12.org (high school counselor)
Allison Battista abattista@cohassetk12.org (high school counselor)
Catlin Stromberg cstromberg@cohassetk12.org (school psychologist)
Robert Collins rcollins@cohassetk12.org (middle and high school social worker)
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
You can also follow the entire leadership team on Twitter to see real-time updates.
Assistant Superintendent: @CPSAssistantSup
Joseph Osgood School: @JOsgoodppal
Deer Hill School: @DeerHillSchool
Cohasset Middle School: @comsprincipal
Cohasset High School: @CoHSPrincipal
We utilize both Aspen and Blackboard communications to inform families of important events, cancellations, and happenings.