THE NAVIGATOR
March 26, 2021
Newsletter
School Committee Approves Full In-Person Learning at Cohasset Middle School and Cohasset High School
At Wednesday’s School Committee Meeting (3/24/2021), the Cohasset School Committee voted unanimously to bring all middle school students back full in-person, five days a week, beginning on April 5, 2021 (in-person lunch included). They also approved the return of all high school students to full in-person learning, five days a week, in the following phased format.
· April 5 through April 16, being dismissed at 12:45PM. High school students will eat lunch at home (grab-and-go will be available) and join their last period class from home.
· Beginning April 26, 2021, high school students will attend school full in-person, five days a week, with in-person lunch included. A default option, which has a snack being served and a 2:00PM dismissal, is possible if lunch cannot be served; however, we are moving confidently towards the lunch option.
This is wonderful news. We are thankful to the School Committee, District Leadership, staff, and families who worked diligently to make this happen for our students.
I want to bring a few details to your attention:
1. Bus routes and stops for those families who indicated their child(ren) require a bus will be communicated over the coming days.
2. Due to the increased traffic, it is important that we adhere to the following rules:
Drop-Off:
- Bus drop-off would be at the usual time for both schools
- Cars at CMS: Cohort A & B = Gymnasium Driveway at 8:15AM
- Cars at CHS: Cohort A & B = Gymnasium Driveway at 8:30AM
Pick-Up:
- Bus pick-up would be at 12:45 for CHS (from April 5 through April break) and 2:40PM for CMS, with CHS joining on April 26.
- Cars at CHS: Cohort A & B = Gymnasium Driveway
- Cars at CMS: Cohort A & B = Gymnasium Driveway
Further information will continue to be communicated by principals. Please click on the link to access the 3/24/2021 presentation (a more concise version of the full presentation that was sent to families last week when preliminary approval was granted). I have also included the presentation below. To view a recording of the March 24 presentation, please click here. Please click on this link to view a Revised 2020 -2021 School Calendar, indicating the changes that were voted on at the March 24 School Committee Meeting (also found below). We are so excited to unify the cohorts and to bring back middle school and high school students to full-time in-person learning.
A Message From Principal Scott Regarding Parking at Cohasset High School as We Resume Full In-Person Learning
In preparation [for the return to full in-person learning, "we have been issuing student parking stickers to current seniors whose vehicles are registered. Stickers are spot-specific and must be permanently affixed above the registration sticker on the windshield.
On Monday, March 29th, we will take current juniors who are registered and draw the remaining stickers using a lottery system. There are currently only about ten spots left. Any other student drivers must park at Milliken and walk. There are roughly 50 spots there. Students may not park in the Central Office lot, on the main hill, or in the Middle School lot.
Students must adhere to the new system beginning April 5th. Students who attempt to park in the student lot illegally (in a handicapped spot, on the grass, or anywhere that is not a designated parking spot) may be towed. We do not want it to get to that point but please know we will have limited patience chasing car owners as we welcome student fully back. We appreciate your cooperation with this." - Principal Scott, Cohasset High School
Looking ahead...We will be offering ways to fill any potential learning gaps. Information is forthfoming on programs that will be offered to students and families.
Senior Events and Graduation
Please click on the image to access a list of the exciting events we have planned to celebrate the Class of 2021! This information comes courtesy of Principal Scott and the CHS Newsletter
Vaccine Roll-Out for Educators
Cohasset Community Health Update
Health Metrics
Cohasset Community is now in the Yellow Category...Please continue to be vigilant regarding Covid-19 protocols and safety measures
Community Report:
As of March 25, 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 2.04%, with 19 positive cases out of 1079 tests reported. Under the DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Yellow" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have less than or equal to 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 on Thursday, 3/25/2021.
For your information, please find below a summary table of all confirmed positive COVID cases in the District as of today, Friday, March 26, 2021.
Confirmed Positive Cases as of Friday, March 26, 2021
As there are signs that our infection rates are stabilizing, please try to avoid travel, if possible. If you must travel, please be sure to follow all travel advisories.
Please click on the link to review the Massachusetts COVID-19 travel order
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE THE UPDATED CPS TRAVEL PROTOCOLS:
BE THE CHANGE
Poem and Presentation from Our Boston Students
We are so proud of our Boston Students!
Please visit our website for resources regarding the promotion of diversity.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Assistant Superintendent Leslie Scollins, Ed.D.
Strategic Planning Process Update
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)
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
RISE Before and After School Program
Looking for a way to avoid the lines at drop off and pick up at Osgood and Deer Hill?
Finance and Operations Update
PUBLIC HEARING
ON
FISCAL YEAR 2022 SCHOOL BUDGET
A public hearing took place on March 3, 2021 at 5:30 pm. Thank you to all who attended this hearing. After the deliberation on and certification of the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 School Budget, the plan was unanimously voted to move forward to the town for consideration. Thank you to the Cohasset School Committee, our Director of Finance and Operations (Susan Owen), to the District Leadership Team, and to everyone who helped collaborate regarding this data-based budget.
Kindergarten Registration is now Open for 2021 - 2022 School Year
Kindergarten Registration Information
Kindergarten Registration Timeline
Cohasset Middle School to Start Cross-Country Team
Courtesy of Principal Mills:
"We are now taking the small first step of offering the CMS Cross-Country/Running Club to ALL interested students. The club will begin Monday March 22 and conclude just before April vacation. The CMS Cross-Country/Running Club will be supervised by Coach Ron Ford and Asst. Coach Sage Belber, the CHS Cross-Country coaching team.
The CMS Cross-Country/Running Club is open to ALL, whether new to running or advanced. The CMS Cross-Country/Running Club will follow the MIAA COVID Modifications and Guidelines in order to keep members safe and healthy. The course will utilize the school campus and the Milliken Field area. Students will not leave the immediate school area and will not be exposed to traffic.
This is a great opportunity for students to get outside and be active, make new friendships, and be part of a new tradition at CMS." Information is forthcoming to CMS families regarding this exciting opportunity.:
Sports Information
Cohasset Football Season Schedule
JV Football Vs. Middleboro
Intramural Volleyball Underway!
MIAA Board of Directors' Statement Regarding Spring Sports...A Spring Tournament is Forthcoming!
Visit Cohasset Athletics to Get Updates on All of Our Teams
Images of the Week
Virtual Drug Story Theater comes to CMS Wellness Classes
Courtesy of Principal Mills and the CMS Newsletter - "Grade 8 Wellness students have been studying the dangers of substance abuse recently. An aspect of this curriculum is for students to be able to describe the effects of substance abuse on the individual. To accomplish this learning objective, CMS has hosted performances by Drug Story Theater (DST) in the past.
DST was founded by Dr. Joseph Shrand of the Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital. “Our performances explore the science of the adolescent brain and why it’s at greatest risk for lifelong addiction,” shared Dr. Shrand. “We ask the students in the audience to take pre- and post-show brain-science quizzes, and the results have shown a significant shift in perception about the addictive powers of drugs and alcohol, with a reduction of substance use 30 days after seeing a performance."
Due to COVID, DST is not able to perform live so they have developed a similar online experience for students. With the generous support of Cohasset Safe Harbor Coalition, the DST virtual performance was experienced by our students recently. We were extremely proud of our 8th graders who showed a 68% increase in knowledge about drugs and brain science between their pre- and post-show quizzes.
Check out more information about Drug Story Theater below."
Thank you, PSO for providing our amazing Osgood Staff with lunch! We are so appreciative of the support and kindness.
Osgood Celebrates "Dress Like Your Favorite Character Day." Love the School Spirit!
"Sail the Seven Seas of Reading." Read-A-Thon at Deer Hill!
Click on the Image Below to Hear the Deer Hill Students Sing a "Shanty" to Get in the Read-a-thon Spirit!
Inspiration for The Class of 2021! You can do it! Finish Strongly!
Moving Day at Middle and High School...Thank you to our amazing custodians for getting our middle and high school ready for our upcoming return to full in-person learning.!
Please click on the image below to access information about how you can help fund the Cohasset Education Foundation fundraiser for our Project Adventure Grant
SAFE HARBORS UPDATES
The "Don't Wait" video provides insights on why it’s essential for parents to talk to their kids early and often; how to best approach these conversations; and what to do if you spot the signs of drug and alcohol use in your child. This now available, for a limited time, for you or anyone you can share this with, to watch at your own convenience, through a Promo Code listed below. This is a film every parent and caring adult must see! Availability to watch this video is now through March 10, 2021.
Here are the directions to follow to log in to the video:
- Go to https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dontwaitpromo
- Click on "Rent $10.00" You won't be charged; it's already paid for
- You will be asked to log in or to create a Vimeo account by entering your name, email and password
- Enter the Promo Code: DFPG2021
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, social distance 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
Cohasset COVID-19 Protocols and COVID-19 Information
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