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June 18, 2021 FINAL NEWSLETTER OF 2020 - 2021 SCHOOL YEAR
Newsletter
Cohasset Strong
"...In the midst of the darkness, a small but brilliant light shone through- it is the best of our humanity...and if you let yours out, it will overpower the darkness.
You have overcome arguably the most difficult period in modern human history, and nothing that we could have taught you in books and lectures and presentations could demonstrate that your inner resilience and our collective resolve are powerful.
What seemed overwhelming before is but a shadow of the real challenges that you have faced and overcome. As the sun continues higher in the June sky, may it remind you of the power we have to overcome any obstacles that may interrupt our journeys."
I am proud to work in Cohasset where we can look back and say that we supported each other when times were at their worst. I look forward to the bright times ahead for all of us.
Have a wonderful summer,
Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cohasset Public Schools
Cohasset Public Schools Celebrates Juneteenth
Yesterday 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. Next year, as the Holiday is recognized on Monday, Cohasset Public Schools, along with all public schools in the Commonwealth, will have a day off from school to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth. 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.
CHS students lead inclusion activities " What We Love" with elementary students
Dismissal Schedule for the Last Day of School for the 2020 - 2021 School Year (June 23)
Cohasset High School & Cohasset Middle School: 11:30AM
Deer Hill School: 12:15PM
Joseph Osgood School: 12:20PM
Cohasset Celebrates Pride Month
Cohasset Public Schools Drafts Definition of our Vision of Equity
We Choose "Pride, Not Prejudice"
Thank you to our amazing School Committee
BE THE CHANGE
Please visit our website for resources regarding the promotion of diversity.
Technology Updates
Please see the Link Below to take a brief survey regarding our District website, as we move to improve it. Thank you for your help.
The Communications subcommittee members, Ashley Colleary and Lydia St. Onge, are partnering with Lisa Radden, our Director of Technology and Digital Learning and Dr. Leslie Scollins, Assistant Superintendent to explore a refresh of the Cohasset Public Schools website, and we want your feedback! Please take our survey to share your experience using the website and to let us know how we might improve it. The survey will close at the end of the day, today, Friday, June 18. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Link to survey: https://forms.gle/qm29r8vCssyr2gq76
Please see the below presentation, which was delivered by Lisa Radden, Director of Technology and Digital Learning, at the June 2 School Committee Meeting. This presentation highlights the efforts of our Digital Learning Committee and other important on-going technology initiatives
CMS Talent Show
CMS Throwback Days
Winner of Earth Day Logo Contest
Snapper Sneaker Day at Osgood
Cabaret at CHS
DESE Guidance for COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies for the Remainder of the 2020 - 2021 School Year, During Summer Learning Opportunities, and in the Fall of 2021
In summary, here are the major points provided in the guidance:
On Saturday, June 19, Commissioner Riley sent a message to schools and districts clarifying the COVID-19 guidance that DESE released on May 27. The June 19 message states that:
- For the remainder of the school year: Masking indoors and maintaining other health and safety guidance as issued by DESE is required.
- For summer programs: Masking indoors and maintaining other health and safety guidance is not required but is encouraged. The DESE summer guidance is in alignment with state guidance encouraging unvaccinated individuals to continue to mask. The DPH mask advisory advises unvaccinated residents to continue wearing masks in indoor settings and when they can’t socially distance.
For the fall: At this time, all health and safety guidance including masking and physical distancing will be lifted. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will collaborate with the Department of Public Health (DPH) to issue any additional health and safety recommendations over the summer should they become necessary.
FDA and CDC Approve Vaccinations for Adolescents 12 - 15
Recently, the FDA and the CDC approved vaccination of individuals 12 - 15 to join the other ages previously approved to receive vaccination for COVID-19.
It is important to realize that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine if they are close contacts. If your child has been vaccinated for COVID-19 we request that you notify your school nurse, so they are aware in the event of any possible close contact situations. Information regarding vaccinations, including how to sign up for a vaccine, can be found here
Cohasset Community Health Update
Cohasset Community is now in the GREY Category...Please continue to be vigilant regarding Covid-19 protocols and safety measures
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 June 17, 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 0.29%, with 1 positive case out of 343 tests reported. Under the DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Grey" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have less than or equal to 10 positive cases over the last 14 days. For your information, the case reported out to the community last week is reported in this data; however, the case we reporting on yesterday will not be present in the state report until next week. Here is the complete report issued on June 17, 2021.
For your information, the case reported last week is reported in this data; however, the case we are reporting on today will not be present in the state report until next week. Please find below a summary table of all confirmed positive COVID cases in the District as of today, Friday, June 18, 2021.
Cohasset COVID-19 Protocols and COVID-19 Information
Looking ahead...We will be offering ways to fill any potential unfinished learning. We are pleased in the interest families had in our Summer Learning Program opportunity, which will be running in July.
Revised 2021 - 2022 Cohasset School District Calendar
During the 4/28/2021 School Committee Meeting, the Cohasset School Committee voted to adjust the 2021 – 2022 Cohasset School District Calendar to show the first day for all students as Wednesday, September 8 due to the Rosh Hashanah Holiday. Also, as Juneteenth falls on a Sunday next year, we will have no school per state law on Monday, June 20, 2022 (observed day). I have attached the revised calendar. Please note that these changes move the opening for Kindergarten to September 9, 2021 and make the last day of school June 23, 2022 (half day).
NEW UPDATE: Please see the below calendar for the revised last day of Pre-K and Kindergarten for the 2021 - 2022 School Year.
Bus Transportation Information for the 2021 - 2022 School Year
Continuation of Universal Free School Meals:
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended school meal waivers through the end of the 2021-2022 school year, allowing the continuation of universal free school meals at any school district throughout the state for the rest of this school year, through the summer, and through next school year. Schools nationwide will be allowed to serve meals through USDA’s National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option, which is typically only available during the summer months and which allows schools to serve free meals to all children. More information is available online.” (Commissioner Riley’s Update, April 20, 2021).
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Assistant Superintendent Leslie Scollins, Ed.D.
The Literacy Committee is also meeting next week (PK-12). We are working with Teaching Learning Alliance (TLA) to assess our current elementary literacy program.
Reminder about Chromebook Return
If your child borrowed a Chromebook from the District this year, please drop the Chromebook and its charger at your child's school's front office before the end of school.
Thank you for your cooperation! If you have any questions, please contact:
Lisa Radden
Director of Digital Learning and Technology
Office of Student Services
Barbara Cerwonka, Director of Student Services
Please See Below for Our Public Child Find Notice
Kindergarten Registration is now Open for 2021 - 2022 School Year
Kindergarten Registration Information
Kindergarten Registration Timeline
SAFE HARBORS UPDATES
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