Deer Families
Deer Hill School News . April 28, 2023
Dear Deer Hill Families,
Before April break I invited families to attend a Principal's Coffee hosted by the PSO to discuss the placement process. A handful took me up on the offer, and we had a robust conversation about not only the logistics of the placement team's work, but also the philosophy behind it. In particular we talked about the value in trusting the school to make thoughtful decisions about the settings and cohorts where students will be successful. An important component of this conversation was building a shared understanding that our role as educators is not to remove challenges from students' paths, but to help them navigate them in the best way possible. Developing these tools contributes to student success. This led me to an analogy that I've used for over twenty years (many of you have heard it from me, I'm sure) -- the tea cup vs. the travel coffee mug. Here it goes again.
The analogy grew from an article written by (if I remember correctly!), a Harvard dean of admissions. The dean spoke of students who arrived at Harvard perfectly formed like exquisite teacups; they spoke multiple languages, played instruments, lettered in sports, had many friends, and were at the top of their classes academically. However, when they were matched with a roommate that caused conflict, felt a professor was treating them unfairly, or didn't get accepted to a coveted club, they shattered like fine china. At this point, even as the brightest of Harvard students, their parents swooped in to slay the dragon, save the day, and painstakingly glue the fragments back together. (Interestingly, a recent Boston Globe article revisited this theme, though without the teacup metaphor.)
That resonated with me as a cautionary tale, and I therefore began to offer the travel coffee mug as an alternative ideal. What I have always wanted for students in my charge is to be indestructible, like a travel coffee mug. I want them to bounce and recover, to experience setbacks, moments of conflict, and unfair situations, and to have the strategies to respond appropriately. This is evidenced in our use of WITT (Walk away, Ignore, Talk it out, Tell an adult) during interactions with peers, and it applies to our belief that students can and should be exposed to a variety of peers and a variety of teaching styles in our classroom environments.
I'm pleased to say that as a school community, I feel that Deer Hill families already share this perspective, and the group at the coffee that morning reflected that. I also found that the communications I received from families this year regarding placement input to be much smaller in number and extremely respectful of our internal process. This is a win. Thank you for your support of the important work we do as part of placement and each day in the classroom.
All the best,
Alexandra L. Sullivan
Principal, Deer Hill School
P.S. Our next newsletter will be published on Friday, May 12, 2023 .
P.P.S. Follow me on Twitter @DeerHillSchool for ongoing info and joy throughout the week.
Need to Knows
- Today is the LAST day for the Buttonwood Book Fair. Please see the flyer at the end of this newsletter for ways to shop.
- Is your child entering 4th or 5th grade next year but will not be returning to Deer Hill due to a move or admission to private school? If so, please notify Mrs. McElhinney in the front office through her email: cmcelhinney@cohassetk12.org. This is important information as we build classes.
- As was earlier shared, the CEF granted Mr. Youmans with a class set of bikes. He is thrilled to be starting his bike safety unit shortly. Keep an eye out for an email from him with more details.
- On Thursday, May 4, Deer Hill will have our 3rd annual "May the 4th Be With You" Star Wars spirit day which is always coupled with a community service opportunity. This year, we've partnered with Cohasset's Resiliency and Grant Coordinator, Montanna Cassel, to support the Bags to Benches program through Nex Trex. Students are asked to donate clean, dry plastic bags to the drop boxes at Deer Hill beginning on May 4 (see below for acceptable bags). When the town reaches 500 lbs of plastic, a new bench made from recycled plastic will be donated. This video gives a bit more information about this town-wide effort in which Deer Hill is excited to participate.
Keeping the Joy (happenings at Deer Hill)
- Last night's Favorite's Art Night was brilliant with art on display from every student at Deer Hill. Many thanks to families who donated refreshments as well as the 5th grade art ambassadors who kept things running smoothly. Ms. Berman deserves much praise for her efforts not only working with students each day, but also in singlehandedly mounting and displaying each piece of art. Lastly, many thanks to Mr. Williams, the talented pianist (and husband to Ms. Berman!) who brought a festive atmosphere to the evening.
- Many thanks to Kennedy's Country Gardens and the Gibson family for beautifying our entry with cheerful plantings. That will put a "spring" in our step as we arrive to school each morning!
- Families joined students in Ms. Henry's class as they decorated Ukrainian Pysanky eggs to celebrate spring (and sneak in a little science!)
Candids & Curriculum...
Deer Hill Dates
4.24-4.28: Buttonwood Book Fair
4.28: Techsploration: Waves, Sound, and Light (all school assembly and grade 5 workshops)
5.2 & 5.3: Grade 5 Mass Audubon in school workshops
5.4: May the 4th Be With You Spirit Day & Bags to Benches collection
5.8 & 5.9: MCAS Science (grade 5)
5.9, 10:00-10:45, cafeteria: Grade 4 Math Game Morning (Moser, Parrell)
5.10 & 5.11, 7:00 pm: Cohasset Youth Theatre presents the Deer Hill Musical
5.10, 10:00-10:45, cafeteria: Grade 4 Math Game Morning (O'Hara, Pisano)
5.11, 10:00-10:45, cafeteria: Grade 4 Math Game Morning (Kelliher)
5.11: Grade 5 Theatre Espresso: Uprising on King St.
5.11, 4:00: School Council, Deer Hill Library
5.15, 3:30-5: Grade 3 Spelling Bee
5.16, 3:30-5: Grade 4 Spelling Bee
5.17, 3:30-5: Grade 5 Spelling Bee
5.16 & 5.17: MCAS Math (grade 3)
5.18 & 5.19: MCAS Math (grades 4 & 5)
5.23, 6:00: Deer Hill Spring Concert
5.26: Half day professional development, 1:15 dismissal
5.26, 9:30-10:15: Grade 5 Environmental Advocacy Showcase
5.29: Memorial Day, no school
5.30: Grade 5 Theatre Espresso: Justice at War
5.30, 6:00: Welcome Rising Grade 3 Parent Zoom
5.31: Grade 5 Egg Drop, Round 1
6.2 & 6.5: Grade 5 North & South Rivershed Assoc: “Water Smart” workshops
6.8, 9:45: Grade 5 Egg Drop, Round 2 with Cohasset Fire Department
6.6 (rain date 6/7): Deer Hill Field Day
6.6: Grade 2 visits Deer Hill's 3rd grade
6.9: Grade 5 visits CMS
6.14: Grade 5 Send Off
6.16: Progress reports published in Aspen
6.16: Last day of school; 12:15 dismissal
CPS and Deer Hill calendars 2022-23
Flyers of Interest
From the Paul Pratt Memorial Library:
Summer Reading 2023 @ the PPML
Avoid the summer slide by signing up for the summer reading program at the Paul Pratt Memorial Library. Sign up June 26 from 4:00 to 5:00 and get a free Kona Ice courtesy of the Friends of the Cohasset Library! "Find Your Voice", the 2023 summer reading program, is sponsored by the PPML, the Friends of the Cohasset Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Deer Hill School
Alexandra L. Sullivan, Principal
Email: alsullivan@cohassetk12.org
Website: https://www.cohassetk12.org/
Location: 208 Sohier St., Cohasset, MA, USA
Phone: 781-383-6115
Twitter: @DeerHillSchool