THE NAVIGATOR
October 23, 2020
Newsletter
A Reminder Regarding Family Survey
A reminder that we are in the process of gathering data for our check-in regarding the start of schools at a special School Committee Meeting that will take place next Wednesday, October 28 at 6:00PM via Zoom Webinar. We have conducted student focus groups at the middle and the high school, and we have another study group set for Deer Hill students on Monday. We have also surveyed all staff. If you are a parent / guardian of a Cohasset student, and you have not had a chance to do so, please fill out the following survey. We have sent a survey out to families of students who are in our full remote program (TECCA), as well. Thank you to everyone who has provided this important input.
With appreciation,
Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Leslie Scollins, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Cohasset Community Health Update
Cohasset Community Health Update
As of October 22, 2020, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID-19 test rate over the past 14 days is 1.14%, with seven (7) positive cases out of 613 tests reported. Although none of the cases have originated from Cohasset Public Schools and there are no new cases within Cohasset Public Schools at this time, the town of Cohasset is now in the Yellow Category according to DPH metrics, which designates towns that have a 4-8 case rate over the last 14 days per 100,000 population.
With Halloween approaching, it is important that we are vigilant with social distancing and that families please take care to follow all safety protocols. Please consider alternative Halloween activities from traditional trick-or-treating. We all also need to keep following the protocols of handwashing / hand sanitizing and wearing face-covering masks when appropriate to do so. Here is the complete report from DPH that was issued this afternoon.
Cohasset Public Schools adding Portable Air Cleaners (PACs) to learning spaces
The Cohasset Public Schools has secured funding for the acquisition of approximately 170 Portable Air Cleaners (PACs) for use in various learning spaces throughout the district. We have ordered these PACs in anticipation of the winter months and in an effort to mitigate any potential air quality concerns within the buildings.
In support of this purchase, the district cites the following considerations:
· PACs can simulate a higher Air Change per Hour (ACH)
· PACs can improve air quality
· PACs can be used to reduce airborne contaminants
Thank you to the Cohasset Teachers Association (CTA) and the Town of Cohasset for their collaboration regarding this important safety initiative.
Interview with 143 TV
Sincerely,
Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cohasset Public Schools
Flu Clinics
Special Education Rights Presentation
Some Images from the Week
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).
BE THE CHANGE
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Assistant Superintendent Leslie Scollins, Ed.D.
CPS Faculty Professional Development
There is no school for students on Friday, October 30th.
Parent Workshop
Cohasset Public Schools is proud to offer “Preparing for School Re-entry: How to Support Students with Practical Social Emotional Skills and Strategies; Part 2, 6 Weeks In!” presented by Dr. Steve Bonauto and Dr. Barry Plummer on Monday, October 26 at 6 pm. This 60 minute interactive virtual presentation will provide a forum for families to hear about ways they can continue to support their children during this school year.
Dr. Bonauto is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist with several decades of experience. He maintains an office-based private practice in Providence, RI and also serves as the medical director of the Acute Residential Treatment Program at St. Mary’s Home for Children in Rhode Island. He completed his Child and Adolescent Fellowship at Brown University Hospitals in 1994. Dr. Plummer is a board-certified and licensed child psychologist with several decades of experience and an office-based private practice. He holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Rhode Island and completed a fellowship in clinical psychology at the Devereux Foundation. Additionally, he was on staff at McLean Hospital at Harvard University and administered an inpatient adolescent unit at Bradley Hospital. For the past 30 years, Dr. Plummer has been a faculty member at Albert Medical School of Brown University in the Department of Child Psychiatry, teaching and supervising Clinical Psychology Fellows and Child Psychiatry and Triple Board Fellows. Drs. Bonauto and Plummer have shared many years of providing consultation services to children, families and school teams in public school settings, special-education collaboratives, residential treatment facilities, and day programs.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/92342422010?pwd=RFRoNTA0elhzZk1ISkJ6WERoODgyQT09
Webinar ID: 923 4242 2010
Passcode: 258927
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782
SAFE HARBORS UPDATES
Updates:
- Town-Wide Pumpkin Contest Youth who are connected to their community are at a lower risk of substance use, mental health issues, and violence in their adulthood. This alternative Halloween activity aims to bring the community together across all sectors and boost moral amongst the residents. Limited to the first 300 who register.
- Cohasset Virtual Youth Center This is now live on the home page of the Town’s website, found toward the bottom right-side of the page. This serves as a central location for all youth-geared programming/events that are occurring via Rec, Library, Elder Affairs, and Safe Harbor.
- WANTED: Social Media Boosters Looking to volunteer time to the Safe Harbor initiative but don’t have much time to give? Please consider volunteering to be a designated social media booster.
What does this entail?
Receiving communication from Marketing Director that information has been posted for you to like, comment, share, share to Cohasset143 and/or post yourself
How much of a time commitment?
5 minutes a week
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