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June 17, 2022
Newsletter
Celebrating Juneteenth
On Thursday, June 17, 2021, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday in the United States.
Originating in Galveston, Texas, in 1866, Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans. On that day in 1865, Union soldiers, led by Gen. Gordon Granger, arrived in the coastal city of Galveston, Texas to deliver General Order No. 3, officially ending slavery in the state. This final act of liberation came months after the Confederate army’s surrender ended the Civil War, and more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth as a national holiday is an important reminder of the freedoms we enjoy and must always protect.
On this Juneteenth (June 19th), it is a good time for all of us to reflect, to listen, and to learn. This year, the Juneteenth Holiday is recognized on Monday, June 20 for all Cohasset Public Schools, along with all public schools in the Commonwealth, as a day off from school to celebrate and commemorate. Each school is engaging in Juneteenth activities (more to come regarding those in next newsletter). Here are some good resources about Juneteenth and some resources that will help us all to reflect, as we move forward to realize the much needed social change.
What is Juneteenth? :
By Henry Louis Gates is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. This article is an in depth look at the history of Juneteenth that was part of PBS’s African Americans: Many Rivers To Cross series.
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/
The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth from Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture.
https://nmaahc.tumblr.com/post/121925744985/the-historical-legacy-of-juneteenth
The history of Juneteenth acknowledges hard history while also empowering students to be advocates for change. This teaching guide is a project of the Southern Law Poverty Center.
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/teaching-juneteenth
13th – Combining archival footage with testimony from activists and scholars, director Ava DuVernay’s examination of the U.S. prison system looks at how the country’s history of racial inequality drives the high rate of incarceration in America. The Oscar-nominated film won Best Documentary at the Emmys, the BAFTAs and the NAACP Image Awards.
More Juneteenth Resources
Last Day of School Set for June 30 (Early Release)
Cohasset Middle School and Cohasset High School Dismissal: 11:30AM
Deer Hill Elementary School Dismissal: 12:15PM
Joseph Osgood Elementary School Dismissal: 12:20PM
Please click below to see photos of our wonderful Graduation Ceremony, which took place at the South Shore Music Circus on June 4, 2022. Photos courtesy of Dan Leahy and the Cohasset Anchor.
Elementary School Improvement Plans for 2022-2023
School Committee Re-Organization
Chair: Lance Dial (LDial@cohassetk12.org)
Vice Chair: Craig MacLellan (CMacLellan@cohassetk12.org)
Secretary: Ted Carr (TCarr@cohassetk12.org)
Member: Paul Kearney (PKearney@cohassetk12.org)
Member: Lydia St. Onge (LStOnge@cohassetk12.org)
Thank you to all of the members of the Cohasset School Commitee for their wonderful service to the school community.
Safety is a Priority for Cohasset Public Schools
Our safety review continues, as, last week, the entire Cohasset Leadership team met with School Committee Chair MacLellan, Cohasset Police Chief Quigley, and members of the Cohasset Police to dive deeper into our safety protocols. For the remainder of the year, we are specifically focusing on maintaining safety as the weather improves, reviewing protocols for outside classes, and ensuring we frequently monitor entrances and exits. As was announced at this week's School Committee Meeting, please be aware that we will not be providing entrance to our buildings to anyone who does not present a proper license, even if we are aware of who the person is. This is a standard protocol that is necessary to ensure safety. All visitors will continue to be screened via our Raptor or Lobby Guard technology through use of their license. We have more comprehensive safety meetings scheduled with Cohasset Police, Leadership, Cohasset Fire, Emergency Management, Facilities, Technology, external safety plan advisors, and School Committee Safety Subcommittee members next month.
- As a District, we have developed an emergency preparedness plan for each of our buildings. These plans were created in coordination with local police, fire, and emergency management departments. We meet as a District Crisis Team each summer to refine plans and are in constant collaboration and communication. We are in the process of creating and refining more safety protocols as a team.
- In conjunction with the Cohasset Police Department, our district has fully implemented the ALICE protocol as a response to any potential armed intruder. "ALICE is designed to provide comprehensive preparedness in the event of an intruder in one of our schools. The goal is to utilize infrastructure, technology, and human action to increase overall student and staff safety" (Acton-Boxborough Superintendent Message). Our staff receives annual training in this protocol from members of the Cohasset Police Department, and we supplement this training with periodic drills and scenarios to further increase our preparedness. Each school has a Crisis Team, in addition to our District Crisis Team. Currently, more than 900 schools, businesses, universities, hospitals, and municipalities have adopted the ALICE protocol. A summary of our approach can be found on the District web-site.
Sincerely,
Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cohasset Public Schools
Drowning Prevention Resources
June is Pride Month
Cohasset High School Diversity Club visits Osgood and Deer Hill for "Diversity Day."
Support of Pride Month throughout the District
Inclusive Messages from CMS Students, greeting all who enter Cohasset Middle School
Images of the Week
Girls' Lacrosse, Boys' Lacrosse, and Boys' Tennis reach The Final Four! Congratulations, teams!
Thank you to all who made the Cohasset Middle School Arts Night a big success
Student Elections at CHS...thank you to everyone who organized these events and to all the students who stepped up to serve.
Thank you to all of our new Cohasset educators for a wonderful first year in Cohasset. We are so fortunate to have you with us. Also, thank you to our mentors and to Dr. Scollins for your leadership and for honoring these excellent educators in a ceremony last week.
'CHS Environmental Science students visiting local business owner committed to reducing single use plastic consumption in our community' (from community partner, @cscr_cohasset).
"CMS welcomed members of @CohassetPolice who taught students about civil rights and hate crime." (From @cmosprincipal)
Our annual egg drop at Deer Hill with Cohasset Fire. Students work with the Design and Engineering Process to create vessels that can protect the egg. Thank you, Deer Hill and Cohasset Fire for maintaining this tradition. Photos from @DeerHillSchool
Osgood Fun...A mystery artist leaves students a positive note (from @JOSgoodpal)
"Our 2nd graders were very lucky last week, they got to spend time with Farmer John and The Cohasset Garden Club." ( from @Josgoodppal)
School Transitions in Full Swing
Grade 2 to Grade 3:
The process of preparing your child for 3rd grade includes the following:
DHS visits JOS (June 6): Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Dolan, and Mrs. Costa will visit the second-grade classrooms and introduce themselves.
DHS Meet and Greet (June 7): Mrs. Sullivan will host a meet and greet Zoom for families at 6:00 pm; invitations will be sent out.
Student Questions (Week of June 7): Second-grade students will write letters to Mrs. Sullivan asking third-grade questions during computer class.
JOS Students visit DHS (June 14): Second-grade students will visit Deer Hill with their classroom teacher.
Grade 5 to Grade 6:
The process of preparing your child for 6th grade includes the following:
Student Survey (April 25-April 29): DHS 5th grade students answered survey questions about how they feel about coming to middle school and what stressors they may have about the transition to middle school. Our goal in surveying students is to more accurately gauge their concerns as well as to impress upon them our regard for their well-being and student voice.
CMS Visit to DHS (May 4): CMS Principal Mills and School Counselor Mrs. Pearce visited 5th grade classes to introduce students to life at CMS and answer their questions.
CMS Visit to DHS--Choosing Classes (May 11): CMS Music and World Language teachers presented to 5th grade students in person and via Zoom to discuss choosing 6th grade classes.
CMS Welcome Presentation for Parents: (May 11) CMS administration and counseling met with parents via Zoom to share what they and their children can expect in sixth grade. The meeting will be 6PM-7PM and is accessible by using this link: CMS Welcome Presentation for Parents
Course Requesting on Aspen (May 11 - May 18) Students and parents will confirm their courses for 6th grade as well as select their choice of Music, Creativity, and World Language classes on Aspen.
Grade 5 Step Up Day (June 17): Grade 5 students will visit CMS during the day to tour the school and meet their teachers and current 6th graders.
Orientation Day (August TBA) The Orientation Day re-introduces students with the school and teachers. The goal is to answer all lingering questions and prepare students to confidently begin this exciting next stage in their academic career.
Grade 8 to Grade 9:
Conversations with 8th Graders and Parents: Conversations began with 8th graders and their parents in March.
8th Grade Curriculum Night: We hosted an 8th grade curriculum night for parents on 3/22 followed by a series of 8th grade workshops which introduced them to the schedule and helped them pick courses.
Tour of High School: In June we will bring them in for a tour of the building and an athletics assembly regarding fall sports, and will host an orientation in August.
Second Grade Visits Deer Hill as part of our student transitions
5th Graders Visit CMS...Click below to watch a wonderful video of the event...Thank you, Principal Mills and Team
District Transportation Adopts "Stopfinder"
Cohasset Public Schools Rolls Out Parent/Guardian App
Stopfinder App Lets Parents/Guardians Track Their Children’s Bus
The Transportation Department announced that it has launched the parent/guardian app called Stopfinder that will allow parents and guardians to accurately track their children’s school bus in real-time. The easy-to-use app is secured so only authorized users will have access to school bus information. Stopfinder, created by the district’s routing software company, Transfinder, is free to parents and guardians and allows users to customize when they receive alerts about their children’s bus location.
Stopfinder is the all-in-one parent app that allows your school district to share your student's transportation schedule, announcements, and more. Stopfinder works with your district's transportation software to provide you the most accurate schedule information as quickly as possible.
Stopfinder is secure and only for registered users. Your school will send you an invitation providing access to log in to the Stopfinder app. Invitations have been sent through email.
We are excited to offer this service to parents and guardians in our district. We believe Stopfinder will play a critical role in reducing anxiety because parents will be able to see where the school bus is. This tool will help the transportation office become even more efficient and responsive because Stopfinder will answer that most important question parents have: ‘Where is my child’s school bus?’ This will strengthen the ties we have with our community.
The district is encouraging parents and guardians to sign up for the Stopfinder. Please visit our district website for more Stopfinder information.
Ai3 Presents School Facilities Condition Study
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"
Thank you to the Town of Cohasset for Approving the Below School District Budget for FY23
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:
BUS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR HAS OPENED
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.
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Coming soon…..
We have been working with Transfinder, our bus routing software company, implementing a new add on for parents, 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.
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.
More information to follow in the coming weeks.
School Committee Determines That 2022 - 2023 School Year Will Begin After Labor Day For Students...September 6, 2022
The Cohasset School Committee also decided, by vote, that, moving forward, a pre or post Labor Day school start for students will be determined by how early Labor Day falls within the school year.
“For the 2022-2023 school year, teachers will begin their work year on the Wednesday and Thursday before Labor Day with the Friday before Labor Day as a no school day for students and staff. The first day of school for students for 2022-2023 school year will be September 6th. In subsequent years, if Labor Day falls on September 3rd or earlier, the teachers' work year will start on the Wednesday and Thursday before Labor Day with the Friday before Labor Day as a no school day for students and staff and the first day of school for students taking place on the Tuesday following Labor Day. If Labor Day falls on September 4th or later, the teachers' work year will start on the Monday and Tuesday before Labor Day with the first two days of school for students taking place on Wednesday and Thursday before Labor Day and the Friday before Labor Day as a no school day for students and staff. Teachers work year will terminate no later than June 30. Input from the Association will be considered in developing the School Calendar.”
Please see full 2022 - 2023 School Year Calendar which was approved at the April 13 School Committee Meeting for vote and approval. Thank you to everyone who engaged in the important discussion during the school committee meeting.
Cohasset Community Health Update
Community Health Information:
As of June 16, 2022, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID-19 test rate over the past 14 days is 7.31% with 260 tests reported. The town of Cohasset has 19 positive cases reported over the past two weeks. Currently, 95% of eligible Cohasset residents are fully vaccinated with 13% of eligible residents partially vaccinated per capita. Here is the complete report issued on June 16, 2022.
Here is the Confirmed Positive COVID Cases Weekly Update Spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is also found on the district website under COVID-19 Information.
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.
PLEASE NOTE: We have now officially transitioned our practices from Test and Stay to At Home Testing. In conjunction with DESE requirements for being a part of the At Home Testing Program, we are no longer contact tracing within the schools.
Symptomatic Testing: The same consent previously signed for Test and Stay covers Symptomatic Testing, which will be able to be implemented by our nursing staff, now that we are implementing At Home Testing.
Parents and guardians who wish to have their children participate in the Cohasset School District Covid-19 testing, thus being eligible for Symptomatic Testing, must click on the link provided (if you did not do so previously for test and stay) and complete the consent forms.
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 Public Schools is a proud METCO District. Please see the METCO Web-page for additional diversity resources.
2021 - 2022 Cohasset Public Schools Calendar
Cohasset PSO Happenings
Cohasset Public Schools' Strategic Plan for 2021- 2024
Sports Information
State Tournament Action!
Boys & Girls Lacrosse State Semi-Final games have been set!
MIAA Lacrosse Tournament
#2 Cohasset Boys vs #3 Wahconah
Sat | 6/18 | 12pm | Shepherd Hill HS
#8 Cohasset Girls vs #4 Weston
Sat | 6/18 | 5pm | Weymouth HS
Online ticket info coming soon
#GoBlue https://t.co/bxRJN8dKk1
"Another GREAT season for Cohasset Boys Tennis! Special THANK YOU to our seniors and families"...William Wassersug Photo below...
RISE Program
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Assistant Superintendent Leslie Scollins, Ed.D.
New Teacher End of Year Celebration
Committee Updates
Elementary ELA Assessment Committee
Elementary Progress Report Committee
Elementary Literacy
Reader's Workshop Professional Development
Assessment
I-Ready Diagnostic
The Student Opportunity Act
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.
Office of Student Services
UPDATES
Be Sure to View the Information on the Student Services Web Page
STUDENT SERVICES FORUM
Child Find Public Notice
SAFE HARBORS UPDATES
Most Recent Safe Harbors Newsletter
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
Thank you to all of our counselors for their caring and selfless work throughout the District!
Osgood: Dave Vinton dvinton@cohassetk12.org (adjistment counselor)
Deer Hill: Robyn Costa rcosta@cohassetk12.org
Deer Hill and Osgood: Laurie Dolan ldolan@cohassetk12.org (adjustment counselor)
Robyn Costa rcosta@cohassetk12.org (adjustment counselor)
Alyson Doyle adoyle@cohassetk12.org (school psychologist, Osgood and Deer Hill)
CMS: Emily Manewal emanewal@cohassetk12.org
Allison Pearce apearce@cohassetk12.org
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)
Stephanie Gertz sgertz@cohassetk12.org (ESP: BRYT Program...Middle and High School)
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