Cohasset High School Newsletter

Dear Families,

I hope the first two days have shown you at home the same enthusiasm the students have brought into the building. From our ninth grade orientation to the opening assemblies, there is a palpable, positive energy that has flooded our halls, and it shows on your students' faces.

I would be naive not to acknowledge that every school year also brings a certain degree of anxiety — as students weigh the opportunities in front of them and think about how to take advantage of them, as they navigate an ever-changing web of relationships, and as they settle back into a more structured routine. If that is your student, please let us know. No one needs to suffer in silence.

Philosophically, I believe that every year should begin with — and maintain throughout — a focus on the end goal. Whether that goal is the end of the week, the end of the semester, or the end of high school, everything we do should help students grow into the qualities named in the Vision of the Graduate.

If we are truly preparing students for a world that even adults cannot anticipate, then we need to be thoughtful upfront about how we teach them to navigate challenges. While we promise to face every day and every challenge with optimism, we don't promise or anticipate perfection. If students are appropriately challenged, there should be some healthy stress that comes with it — and that's a normal, even valuable, part of how they grow. If we are asking them to live according to our shared values, there will be moments of discomfort too. That's how students grow into the Vision of the Graduate.

To that end, we never start the year with a list of do's and don'ts. We start with optimism. But in order for that optimism to result in success, it's also important to articulate the expectations and structures we've put in place. These are created through ongoing, collaborative dialogue with families and staff. They exist to help us avoid setbacks where we can, and when setbacks do occur, to handle them in a way that supports each student's growth and keeps our community feeling safe, both physically and emotionally.

While the Student-Family Handbook, the Athletics Handbook, and the School Committee Policy Manual contain all of these structures, the purpose of this newsletter is simply to highlight a few that families ask about most. The aim isn't to take away from the wonderful start we've had — it's just that clarity helps everyone. Have a wonderful long weekend. We will see you all next week.

Sincerely,

Brian T. Scott
Principal

No family should stress about being able to afford for their student(s) to participate fully in school. To that end, we offer financial assistance in a variety of areas including athletics, field trips and class outings, yearbooks, food assistance, and dances. This all falls under "Free and Reduced Lunch" which is a bit of a misnomer since breakfast and lunch are in fact free. Full details from Dr. Shannon are below. And make sure that you select all the boxes for your information to be shared directly with the schools.

Dear Cohasset Families,

Although school meals are free for all in Massachusetts, it remains extremely important for all families to complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2026-27 school year so that our district can continue to establish eligibility for P-EBT benefits, waive local fees (ie. athletics, field trips, etc), and serve families most effectively.

When returning the Application, we also ask that you complete and return the Sharing Information with Other Programs form as well. If your student(s) qualify for free or reduced price meals, this allows us to share your information with other programs in the school so that your student can receive additional benefits.

Please return your completed Free & Reduced Meal Application to your student's school office. There is one application per household, please. For more information follow these links: Free and Reduced Price Meals and CPS Nutrition and CPS Food Services. If you have any questions please contact our Director of Food Services, Vinicio Cordon at vcordon@cohassetk12.org.

Additionally, this year, Cohasset Public Schools is excited to partner with South Shore Backpackers to pilot a new food-access program for Cohasset families beginning in Fall 2026.

South Shore Backpackers is a partnership between Wellspring and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church designed to provide nutritious, kid-friendly food for students and their families during weekends and school breaks—times when school meals are not available. The program is built around a simple idea: when families have access to good food, students are better supported to learn, grow, and thrive.

Families who feel they could benefit from additional food support are invited to complete a confidential Family Interest Indicator Form. Completing the form simply lets the program team know that your family may be interested; it is not a commitment to participate.

Confidentiality is a central part of the program. We understand that asking for food assistance can feel personal, and we want families to feel comfortable exploring this resource without stigma or concern about their privacy. Information submitted through the interest form will be handled confidentially and discreetly and used to help CPS and South Shore Backpackers plan the program and connect interested families with available support.

If your family could use additional food support on weekends or during school breaks, we encourage you to learn more and complete the confidential interest form. You can access the form through the CLICK HERE button or QR code on the program flyer. Questions about the program can be directed to John Scopelleti at JScopelleti@cohassetk12.org.

Ever Onward,

Sarah Shannon

We celebrate that roughly 86% of our student body participates in some form of athletics. As a former athlete and the parent of an athlete myself, I see tremendous value in this. I've also seen the changing landscape of youth sports from both a personal and professional perspective, and those changes aren't always positive.

Later this month we will be approving a new Athletics Handbook, and will be introducing some exciting initiatives that we have. In the meantime, the MIAA has published the following expectations for all fans who attend our events.

For those interested, below are the slides that were presented yesterday during our student assemblies.

Please see the following important information from the Health Office and Nurse Johnston.

Spoiler Alert: Mistakes will be made. (And that's OK).

Before the first office referral comes in, I wanted to share some thoughts behind our approach to school discipline. Addressing it early does two things: first, it prevents people from thinking "I know what that's about," and second, it should provide some rationale behind our disciplinary processes. This isn't Ferris Bueller's Day Off — no one enjoys discipline, and yet it's an inevitable part of the job and, more broadly, of the learning process.

Handbooks are not made in isolation. They are reviewed by supporting councils — in this case the School Council and the Athletics Council — made up of administrators, teachers, coaches, parents, students, and community members. And there is always a point in the conversation that weighs latitude against specificity. Personally, I favor latitude, because I believe that my experience and the collective experience of our leadership team can evaluate each situation in the appropriate context. In doing so, we can deliver a lesson in keeping with the meaning of discipline itself, which at its root means "to teach."

Judgment and context matter. Two students can be involved in the same rule violation, and the right response can look different depending on intent, impact, and circumstance. An honest mistake is not the same as a deliberate choice to break the rules, and we try to treat them differently. That said, even well-meaning missteps can have real consequences for others, and when they do, we have to respond to the impact, not just the intent. Getting that balance right is our responsibility, and it starts with actually listening — to the student, and to you. If you ever think we've gotten the context wrong, I want to hear about it, and I promise we'll take that seriously.

What we've found matters most in these moments isn't the specific consequence — it's what happens around it. The situations that turn into real learning are usually the ones where the school and the family are working from the same page: that this is a chance to learn, not a fight to win. Kids notice how the adults around them handle these moments, on both sides. When everyone's goal is growth rather than assigning blame, discipline does what it's supposed to do.

Discipline isn't something we relish, but it's part of how we help students grow, and we try to carry it out carefully and in good faith — never as a way of proving a point or passing judgment. None of this works, though, if it's just our philosophy. It works when families and the school are approaching it the same way, which is really the point of sharing all this: not to have the last word, but to start a conversation. If you have questions about how we handle a particular situation, or you see it differently than we do, I'd genuinely rather hear that from you than have it go unsaid. That collaboration, more than any single consequence, is what turns a low-stakes school rule into a genuinely high-stakes lesson about accountability.

• School begins at 8:15 and ends at 2:55.
• Attendance procedures for reporting a student absence will remain consistent, as outlined in the handbook. However, due to an administrative reduction in force, we will be shifting responsibilities internally. That may mean that you will receive a communication regarding attendance from Ms. Simmons, who is physically located in the Middle School. Should you have questions regarding attendance, you may reach out to her directly at dsimmons@cohassetk12.org. Note that there are no cell phones, wireless earbuds, or smartwatches allowed for use in class without the express permission of the teacher. The general expectation is that these devices will be away for the day, although students may have them in their backpacks.
• Please adhere to the traffic pattern for drop off and pick up. No vehicles other than busses are allowed on the main driveway before 8:15. All bus traffic will use the main driveway. Student drivers and parents should proceed up the driveway along Alumni Field and use the student lot and the back loop for drop off. No students or parents should use the Central Office lot for parking or turning around.

Currently only accepting registration for rising seniors!

Seniors, please complete the following parking registration form here.

• Parking fee is $180.00 flat rate. The fee must be paid before a parking space is assigned, via UNIPAY. (unipaygold.unibank.com/default.aspx)
• Students must have a valid driver’s license.
• Any outstanding student obligations must be cleared prior to receiving a parking space.
• If you have outstanding obligations, Mrs. Tokarz emailed you about them on 8/17/2026.
• Parking lanyards will be distributed during the first week of school. Stay tuned for dates in your Google Classroom.
• All seniors will have first parking assignments, with a valid driver's license. You must be registered no later than 9/17/26. Juniors will be assigned spaces on 9/18/26 on a first come first serve basis.
• Students that do not have an assigned spot must park at Milliken Field.
• NOTE: Students who are chronically tardy are at risk of losing their parking spot.

By registering for student parking, students agree to abide by the standards outlined in the Family-Student Handbook.

Please note the following:

On Thursday, October 8, 2026, Cohasset High School will administer the PSAT during the school day for all interested 10th- and 11th-grade students.

The PSAT gives students valuable practice with the content, format, and experience of taking a college entrance exam (SAT). We encourage students to take the PSAT in both sophomore and junior year. For juniors, the PSAT is also the only qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarship consideration.

Registration & Payment

• $50 if paid by September 14, 2026
• $60 after September 14, 2026

• Payment deadline: September 21, 2026

• Payment information will be sent shortly

• Payment automatically registers your student.
• Fees are non-refundable once tests have been ordered.

For questions about registration or testing accommodations, or if the fee presents a financial hardship, please contact your student’s counselor.

For questions about test administration, please contact SAT Coordinator, Shawn Turner at sturner@cohassetk12.org.

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SAT – October 2, 2026

On Friday, October 2, 2026, Cohasset High School will offer the SAT during the school day for 12th-grade students.

While many colleges and universities are test-optional, many still consider SAT scores. For the most up-to-date testing requirements, visit FairTest and individual college websites. Students and families may also contact their school counselor for assistance in developing a testing plan.

Registration & Payment

• $68 if paid by September 14, 2026

• $106 after September 14, 2026

• Payment deadline: September 21, 2026

• Payment information will be sent shortly
• Payment automatically registers your student.
• Fees are non-refundable once tests have been ordered.

For questions about registration or testing accommodations, or if the fee presents a financial hardship, please contact your student’s counselor.

For questions about test administration, contact SAT Coordinator, Shawn Turner at sturner@cohassetk12.org.

CHS is looking for parent volunteers to serve on the School Council for 2026-2027. The role of the school council is to assist principals in:

Student Clubs largely begin after the start of the school year. We will host a Club Fair during utility period on Friday, October 16th, 2026.

Please see the following list of technological resources and troubleshooting instructions for student technology:

https://www.cohassetk12.org/departments/technology/tech-for-families

Dates to remember:

Website: www.cohassetk12.org
Location: 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA, USA
Phone: 781-383-6100
Twitter: @CoHSPrincipal