THE NAVIGATOR
November 10, 2022
Newsletter
Honoring Our Veterans
This week we honored our Veterans within the school buildings and will do so in town-wide celebrations tomorrow. As a long-standing tradition, a winning writer will be selected from each 5th grade class, and they will have an opportunity to read their pieces at the town Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, November 11 at 11:00 am.
Thank you to all who served and who currently serve to protect our freedoms.
Images of the Week
We are excited to cheer on our amazing sports teams, as they move through the postseason. All of our teams in the tournaments are thriving and moving into the later rounds. Go Blue!
Girls Soccer defeats East Boston and Lunenburg to move into the Round of Eight
William Wassersug Photos
Meet your EMASS D4 Coach of the Year and D4 Player of the Year! Congratulations, Tess Barrett & Coach Deb Beal!
Congratulations to Cat Herman (and her family) on signing her letter of intent to play soccer at Northeastern!
Dan Leahy Photos
Next Game, Saturday, 11/12, at 1:00PM at Scituate High School against Blackstone Valley High School
Boys Soccer Defeats Nantucket and Abington. The Abington win was a thrilling comeback victory in overtime. Boys also move into Round of Eight.
William Wassersug Photos (next 4)
Next Game, Saturday, 11/12 at 3:30PM at South Hadley High School against South Hadley High School
Field Hockey Defeats Sutton to move into the State Quarter Finals
William Wassersug Photo
Next Game, tomorrow, Friday, 11/11 at 12:00PM at Scituate High School against Joseph Case High School
Football Defeats Drury High School on Senior Day to move into Quarter Finals
Dan Leahy Photos
William Wassersug Photos
MIAA D7 Football Tournament 🏈Round of 8 #2 Cohasset vs #7 Clinton , tonight, Thu, 11/10 | 7:00pm | Scituate HS
Congrats to Ronan Kearney, Lizzie Blanchard, and Maggie Brinzey on being named to the South Shore League XC All-Star Team. Maggie was also named the SSL Tobin Division MVP!
Sports Information
Congratulations to Orion, an amazing 1st grader, he has shown his teacher what it means to try hard and keep giving it your best every day! Great job, Orion on being chosen as the recipient of this weeks O So Good Call Home at Joseph Osgood Elementary School.
Volunteers from Cohasset National Honor Society (NHS) making quick work of soil delivery to Deer Hill from Holly Hill Farm. Thank you, students, Deer Hill, and Holly Hill.
Wonderful geography presentation for the 4th grade. Thank you, Neal Nichols. Also, thank you, Cohasset PSO for bringing us this tremendous program.
Getting CMS off to a good start everyday—Dr Salas and her morning student crew deliver the announcements, the word of the day, and some humor every day.
CMS Band in Action
Wonderful Meeting of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC)
From CHS Health Teacher, Mr. Ford, "A big thank you to @CohassetPolice SRO Greg Taylor and Director Nicole Balaschi for taking the time today to attend the CHS Freshman Class of 2026 monthly meeting to discuss current community wellness and safety issues."
School Psychology Week
School Cancelation Process
Like weather forecasting, the school closing decision process is not a perfect science. However, I believe it is important for students and families to understand how it works. I hope this FAQ document answers your questions.
Who makes the decision about whether or not to close school?
As Superintendent, I am responsible for the final decision. I work with District staff to monitor state and local weather forecasts and consult with officials from the Department of Public Works, Cohasset Police, and Cohasset Fire who provide updates to me on snow removal operations, neighborhood road conditions, and any power outages.
What time do I make the call?
My goal is to make the decision to open, close, or delay by 5:45 A.M. or earlier if possible. I try not to wait any longer as families then have little time to make arrangements for childcare, and some of our staff may have already left for work. Also, while I know there is often an interest in having a decision the night before, a lot can change overnight. I will try my best to make a decision as early as possible.
What information is gathered to aid in the decision?
There are multiple factors used in deciding whether or not to close school. Information on road conditions, snow accumulation predictions, building conditions such as electricity and heat, parking lot conditions, air temperature and wind chill, and estimated times from the Department of Public Works and Cohasset Police as to when roads, walkways, and parking lots will be cleared of snow and ice are all considered. I also consider the number of children who walk to school and student drivers.
Are Remote Days a Possibility this Year?
Remote days are not currently permitted as a substitution for in-person days by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
What is a delayed opening?
Rather than close school for a whole day due to short-term weather situations, there may be days when the beginning of school will be delayed one hour, ninety minutes, or two hours. School will simply start later by the length of the delay. Bus pickup, therefore, will also occur later. For example, if your child is normally picked up at 6:55 A.M., during a two-hour delayed opening, your child will be picked up at 8:55 A. M. Lunch will still be available, and dismissal will be at the regularly scheduled times.
What happens to Pre School and Half Day Kindergarten during a delayed opening?
When a delayed opening is called, the Pre School and Half Day Kindergarten classes are cancelled.
What are parents’ / guardians' responsibilities?
The safety of your child is paramount. On days when weather conditions are questionable, but school remains open, parents are free to exercise discretion and keep children home from school. Parents of young drivers are asked to reinforce winter weather driving skills: allowing
extra travel time, reducing speed, and not worrying about being late.
How are days made up?
As per State regulations, students must attend school for a minimum of 180 days and the school year must end by June 30. If school is closed due to weather, the day will be made up at the end of the school year.
How do power outages affect the decision?
Inclement weather can affect the timeline for utility companies to restore electricity. If all school buildings have electricity, the goal will be to open school. Other factors also influence the decision, including whether a large number of neighborhoods are without power.
How is the public notified?
Announcements about school closings and delays are posted as outlined below. Please be advised that, depending upon the severity of the storm, school and district administration offices may also be closed in addition to cancelling classes for students.
· District website (www.cohassetk12.org)
· Twitter @SuperCohasset (I will usually tweet the cancelation first…so follow me If you want the early scoop)
· Black Board Connect Automated Telephone Notification Service (if operational)
· WBZ TV and Radio (Channel 4)
· WATD 95.9
· WHDH Channel 7 and 56
· WCVB Fox 25 and Channel 5
I will try to send periodic updates via Black Board Connect messages whenever possible should the storm extend for any period of time beyond the day or should the storm result in continued questionable community conditions.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
CMS TO STAGE PRODUCTION OF "MOANA"
Sophomore Leading the "Make a Difference Campaign"
CHS Athletic Complex Update
We are excited for the new track. Here are some pictures showing the finished product!
Turf Renovation Underway
The turf replacement project at Alumni Stadium is underway! Access to the turf and track will be prohibited until further notice. This turf replacement project, along with the recently completed track, and stadium lights is a welcomed improvement to our athletic facilities. We are thankful for the school community and town support and understanding, as we work to provide the best facilities possible for our students and town.
Here are some pictures showing the progress thus far.
Budget Calendar and Budget Priorities Approved by School Committee
Budget Calendar for 2022-2023
Budget Priorities
We are currently adjusting the StopFinder app so that families who are signed up for StopFinder will be able to view their child’s bus route in its entirety. Currently, all bus routes, with the exception of Bus Route #7 (because we are utilizing a spare bus as Bus #7 is serviced) should be experiencing the applications full features.
Please be aware that in the circumstances where we must double up on routes because of a driver shortage your child’s bus route will not be visible in the app. Also, if a bus goes into routine maintenance, your route will not be visible. Moving forward, we will be informing families when either of these two situations occur.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to learn this program together.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the StopFinder app, please reach out to Jerilyn Ballard @ Jballard@cohassetk12.org
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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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.
Volunteers Needed
Wellness Committee
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
Data Analysis
Elementary Literacy
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.
District Curriculum Accommodation Plan (DCAP) Revised
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
Just a reminder that for the 2023 - 2024 School Year, the first day of school for students will be Wednesday, August 30 (before Labor Day). There will be no school for students or staff the Friday before Labor Day.
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
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
SAFE HARBORS UPDATES
Latest 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.