THE NAVIGATOR
February 5, 2021
Newsletter
School Committee Votes Approval of Preliminary Plan for Full Time In-Person Learning for PK -5 Beginning on March 1, 2021
At Wednesday night’s School Committee Meeting, the Cohasset School Committee voted 5-0 to approve the preliminary plan (see attached presentation) to return PK-5 students to full in-person learning on March 1, 2021. A final vote will take place at the February 24, 2021 School Committee Meeting. The intent to bring back students full time, in-person at the elementary level on March 1, 2021 was first introduced at the January 20, 2020 School Committee Meeting following notice to the Cohasset Teachers’ Association (CTA). In addition to the approval of the plan, the Cohasset School Committee voted to approve the funding of voluntary weekly testing for staff at all buildings, through Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) Health, from March until all staff members have had the opportunity to receive vaccination.
We look forward to the discussions that will take place with staff at each building, with families, and with the Cohasset Teachers Association (CTA), as we move forward with our plan to bring our elementary students back full time, in-person on March 1, 2021. Here is a video of last night’s School Committee Meeting for those of you who want to view it:
Cohasset School Committee Meeting, 2/3/2021
I have also attached last evening’s presentation below.
Sincerely,
Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cohasset Public Schools
Cohasset Community Health Update
Health Metrics
Please see the information below regarding the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID 19 rate and case count over the past 14 days.
Community Report:
As of February 4, 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 3.40%, with 46 positive cases out of 1440 tests reported. Under the DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Red" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have more than 25 positive cases over the last 14 days.
It is imperative that we all follow the protocols of handwashing / hand sanitizing and wearing face-covering masks when appropriate to do so. Here is the complete report that was issued this evening, Thursday, 2/4/2021.
For your information, please find below a summary table of all confirmed positive COVID cases in the District as of today, Friday, February 5, 2021. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cohasset Public Schools this week.
Confirmed Positive Cases as of Thursday, February 5, 2021
February is Black History Month
Some Images Celebrating Black History Month at Deer Hill
Mrs. Johnston's Fifth Grade Class Highlights MLK's Peaceful Fight for Equity
Fourth Graders Interpret the Poetic Words of Amanda Gorman
BE THE CHANGE
Please visit our website for resources regarding the promotion of diversity.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Assistant Superintendent Leslie Scollins, Ed.D.
DESE District and School Report Cards
We are pleased to share with you the 2020 school report card from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. You can access a link to our District and School Report Card at:
Student Opportunity Act (SOA)
Happy National School Counseling Week
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
Please see the links below for additional resources.
Mental Health Resources (Courtesy of Principal Mills & CMS Newsletter)
Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu observed "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity."
These are certainly difficult times and many parents and families are experiencing great stress. Our ability to cope is regularly challenged and, understandably, there may be times when individuals can no longer manage their emotions. It is important to know where to turn when we reach that point.
To help our families, we share this contact list of support providers--Mental Health and Crisis Contacts These support providers offer great opportunities to help receive help when those we love are struggling to manage.
Updated 2020 - 2021 Calendar
RISE Before and After School Program
Finance and Operations Update
Positions Being Requested for 2021 -2022
Information from Director of Student Services, Barbara Cerwonka
Kindergarten Registration is now Open for 2021 - 2022 School Year
Kindergarten Registration Information
Kindergarten Registration Timeline
Winter Sports Information
Winter Sports Season Continues to be a Success!
Winter sports teams continue to excel throughout the district.
Congratulations to Cohasset Sports Teams on the following victories this week:
Varsity Boys Hockey over Middleboro: 3-2
Varsity Girls Basketball over East Bridgewater: 48 - 41
Visit Cohasset Athletics to Get Updates on All of Our Teams
SAFE HARBORS UPDATES
Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition’s “Our Safe Home” campaign is about addressing the issues of youth access of alcohol in the community, which involves parents, guardians, merchants, and youth themselves. Parents pledge their commitment to joining other parents in providing a fun, safe, and substance-free environment for our children. Merchants pledge to comply by following the law and regulations, to not sell alcohol to young people under 21 years old. Youth are increasing awareness of the issue by talking to adults in their community.
We recognize that we cannot supervise our teens 24/7, nor can we always control the choices they make. However, we will do our part to discourage underage drinking and we will do our best to help each other support and monitor our teens.
Please see the link below for more information:
Please Click on the Image Below for a Video Regarding the "Our Safe Home Pledge"
Please Click on the Image Below to Access an Important PSA Regarding Dangerous "Pressed Pills"
Health Reminders and Protocols
Update on FLU Vaccine Requirement for Students
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is removing the requirement for flu vaccination for attendance in childcare/preschool, primary, secondary and postsecondary education. Preliminary data show that this has been a mild flu season to date, presumably as people have received their seasonal flu vaccine and have been adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing due to COVID-19. Given the intensive Commonwealth-wide efforts regarding COVID-19 vaccination, DPH wants to alleviate the burden to obtain flu vaccination and focus on continuing our COVID -19 vaccination efforts.
DPH continues to strongly recommend that everyone age six months and older receive their seasonal flu vaccine each year.
Quarantining Guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)
Here is the recent guidance from the CDC regarding quarantining:
"Reducing the length of quarantine may make it easier for people to quarantine by reducing the time they cannot work. A shorter quarantine period also can lessen stress on the public health system, especially when new infections are rapidly rising.
Your local public health authorities make the final decisions about how long quarantine should last, based on local conditions and needs. Follow the recommendations of your local public health department if you need to quarantine. Options they will consider include stopping quarantine
- After day 10 without testing
- After day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)
After stopping quarantine, you should
- Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.
- If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.
- Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash their hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
CDC continues to endorse quarantine for 14 days and recognizes that any quarantine shorter than 14 days balances reduced burden against a small possibility of spreading the virus. CDC will continue to evaluate new information and update recommendations as needed." (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html)
The Important Role Families Play In Stopping the Spread of COVID-19
Families will 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 over your nose and mouth when in public settings (for students from grades PK– 12 and for all staff)
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
PROTOCOLS REGARDING COVID-19
The following information was compiled by our district nurses and provides supplementary information to the protocols stated in the Cohasset Public Schools Fall School Re-Entry Road Map. A big thank you to Kelly Gildea (lead nurse) and our district nurses for compiling this information and for their leadership and guidance during this difficult time.
Cohasset Public Schools Medical Frequently Asked Questions
Cohasset Public Schools Decision Tree Regarding Health Situations Related to COVID-19
COVID-19 Symptom Checklist for Parents and Guardians to utilize with their children
Here are some useful videos regarding Mask Wearing, When to Stay Home, and Hand Washing / Hand Sanitizing prepared by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).
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