This Newsletter updates on all matters connected to Cohasset Public Schools. This letter is sent as part of a District initiative focusing on communication.

We are pleased to announce that, upon unanimous vote, Ms. Sarah Shannon has been offered the position of Superintendent of Cohasset Public Schools, subject to successful contract negotiations. We will send another update, once contract negotiations have been completed, but we wanted to ensure prompt messaging on this important decision.

We thank everyone who participated in this extensive and important process and we are excited about what the future holds for our district.

Onward and Upward,

Your School Committee

Greetings Cohasset Families,

As you may be aware, a total solar eclipse will be visible on Monday, April 8, 2024. The eclipse is forecasted to begin shortly after 2:00PM Eastern Time and will last about two and a half hours until about 4:30PM Eastern Time. I wanted to update you on our educational plans and on our safety considerations.

Safety Considerations:

The guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) promotes us notifying students that they should not look directly at the solar eclipse without eye protection. We will be informing students of this guidance at all our schools on the morning of the eclipse. In addition, the Cohasset PSO has provided regulation safety glasses for all elementary students and our administration has regulation safety glasses available for all middle and high school students to ensure that if classes view the eclipse as an educational opportunity that students will be able to view the eclipse safely. No outdoor after-school activities, including all sports, per the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Sports Medicine Committee guidance, will take place during the eclipse time. Communications will be forthcoming regarding individual after-school activities, which are impacted by the eclipse.

Educational Opportunities:

Weather permitting, all elementary students (grades K-2) at Joseph Osgood and (grades 3-5) at Deer Hill, as well as all middle school students, will be viewing the eclipse in a supervised manner with regulation safety glasses just before dismissal. Teachers will also be educating the students regarding the eclipse. At the high school, students will learn about the eclipse, and viewing opportunities will be more class specific. Participating students will be issued regulation safety glasses. If you would like to opt out your elementary school, middle school, or high school student from potential viewing, please contact your child’s principal by calling your child’s main office.

We are excited about these wonderful learning opportunities for our students. Please see below for additional information regarding the eclipse from DESE. Have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Information about the April 8, 2024, Eclipse

A total solar eclipse will be visible from many parts of the US on April 8, 2024. While no location in Massachusetts will experience totality, some parts of the state will see over 95% coverage of the sun if weather permits.

The eclipse will begin shortly after 2 PM ET and will last about two and a half hours until about 4:30 PM ET.

Path of the April 8, 2024, Eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs with the moon passing directly between the Earth and the Sun. The moon is much smaller than the sun, but because it is so close to the Earth it can appear to partially or complete block the image of the sun.

This map developed by Xavier M. Jubier provides information about the path of the eclipse, and the maximum amount of coverage at a chosen location on Earth.

Educational and Informational Resources for the April 8, 2024, Eclipse

The eclipse may overlap with dismissal for many Massachusetts schools. We recommend preparing students to safely experience the eclipse. Please instruct students not to look directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection.

• Visit NASA's website for a comprehensive information about the eclipse.
• These resources are available in several languages for families and community members:
• Eclipse Map
• Eclipse Safety Sheet
• The NASA website and NSTA website contain multiple lesson plans and resources for educators.
• NSTA's website contains a document with relevant information for school administrators.
• This video from the Fiske Planetarium contains information for administrators about student safety during the eclipse.
• There are many cultural stories surrounding eclipses. The Exploratorium website contains information about various cultural eclipse narratives and histories.
• Free eclipse glasses may be available through your local library and the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries program.

We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Mosaic Event. It will be hosted at the Cohasset High School on Thursday April 11 from 6-8 PM. We will be having dance performers, drummers, and food from different cultures around the world. We hope you can all join us!

Thank you to the entire Middle and High School Arts Department, under the leadership of Mrs. Moriarty, for their amazing work in putting together the annual Recycled pArts program. A special shout out to Ms. Berkowitz for her organizational work. Once again, this amazing activity highlighted some fabulous creativity from our school community. Thank you to all who participated.

"This is how we MCAS at Deer Hill: wagging tails to greet students on testing days & a pop-up coffee van to keep staff spirits high!" - Principal Sullivan. Thank you to Cohasset Working Dogs!

Students at middle and high school also enjoyed movement breaks around MCAS

"A great start to the day for the Wellness Department with two Project Adventure activities in the gym. Freshman Wellness is crossing the low ropes elements raging river while Senior Health is scaling the climbing wall!" - Mr. Ford

Finance and Operations News:

Transportation News:

For Parents:

BUS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR HAS OPENED

Effective for the 2024-2025 school year, Cohasset Public Schools will continue to administer a fee-based transportation program. The application fee applies to students in Grades K-6 who reside less than or equal to 2 miles from their designated school, and all students in Grades 7-12.

Please visit the Cohasset Public Schools website for more information and the register your child for transportation.

Cohasset Public Schools is proud to offer the Stopfinder app.

Stopfinder is the all-in-one parent engagement app designed by parents for parents to keep you in the know. Receive bus location and messages, updates, and alerts in real-time. No other parent app provides this much information in real-time to parents and school transportation departments. Think of the peace of mind when parents and guardians know where their child’s bus is and when their student arrives at school or when dropped off at the bus stop.

All this power in the palm of your hand.

The Stopfinder app is secure and protected. But the app requires your local district to be utilizing Transfinder’s Routefinder software. Stopfinder with Routefinder software will provide your district accurate real-time updates of routes and bus substitutions.

More information to follow in the coming weeks.

Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2025 School Budget

A public hearing has been scheduled on April 10th, 2024, at 5:30 pm. The hearing will be held in the Learning Commons at the Cohasset Middle & High School, and Via Zoom Video Call. The purpose of this meeting is to invite public comment as the law requires, on the School Committee’s deliberation and certification of the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 School Budget

Food Service: The Skipper Cafe for Seniors Opened today! More information in next newsletter

At the 3/13/2024 Cohasset School Committee Meeting, the Cohasset School Committee unanimously approved the calendar below (please click on the image to view the full calendar).

We are pleased to share with you the 2023 school report card from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Please note that because the grade levels at Osgood do not take MCAS, the state indicates "insufficient data" for accountability for Osgood. Osgood's good work on MCAS is indicated in the grade 3 performance. You can access our schools' and district's report cards by clicking on the links below:

For JOS: Osgood 2023 School Report Card

For DH: Deer Hill 2023 School Report Card

For CMS: Cohasset Middle School 2023 School Report Card

For CHS: Cohasset High School 2023 School Report Card

Cohasset Public Schools 2023 District Report Card

School Council Surveys regarding the state of each of our schools will be sent out over the coming weeks. We are appreciative of your input to ensure we are moving in the best direction to serve our students. Please see below for anticipated release dates of these surveys to each school community.

With the Monday, December 19 and more recently, Tuesday, February 13 cancellation of school due to storms, our new last day of school is June 14. Please click on the image below to access the updated calendar, which is also on the District Web Page.

Thank you to Ms. Gittens-Carle and to our amazing "Black Student Union" who presented at this past Wednesday's School Committee Meeting, which took place at METCO Headquarters at 11 Roxbury Street, Roxbury, MA. The presentation was wonderful and highlighted the fabulous students in this important group. This was a great example of increased student voice throughout the district. Excellent job, students! You made us all proud!

The Home Parenting Solutions Library may easily be accessed using the link on the MPY's home page or clicking this link. No log in or passcode is needed.

METCO HQ and its REI Committee have partnered with Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson and Dr. Lee Teitel to offer practical skills in holding productive and persuasive conversations about racial equity with various constituencies. Talking to peers about METCO 2.0—and more generally, about race, equity and integration—can be hard. To realize the vision of METCO 2.0—that every student in a METCO district receives an inclusive, equitable and antiracist education—requires deep change for all of us: for METCO directors, district leaders and HQ, but also for parents, community leaders, students, and school committee members. These sessions are designed to help navigate polarized environments, have conversations about difficult topics, and further the mission of METCO 2.0.

There are several two-part Thursday/Monday Zoom workshops coming up. You will also find upcoming dates in the registration link for the following groups and are welcome to sign up ahead of time for these as well:

· School Leaders, Staff, & Teachers

· School Committees

· Community allies, racial equity groups, METCO supporters

· Parents (parents of both METCO and suburban students)

· Students (METCO students and resident students from the METCO district

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.

Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and the trainings focus on child and adolescent development, including difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, racism, and grief. These trainings present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.

FREE 24 Home Parent Video Presentations

• Inspire School Success for Elementary, Middle and High School Students
  
• Parenting Principles for Progress Not Perfection
  
• Mental Health Knowledge and Skills
  
• Support Your Anxious Child Library
  
• ADHA and Autism: How to Help Your Child Thrive

Please click on the image below to access the Joseph Osgood Kindergarten Registration

Thank you to Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Leslie Scollins and to Director of Data, Evaluation, and Curriculum, Rock Roberts, for their great work in creating and presenting the MCAS Action Plan at the 12/6/2023 Cohasset School Committee Meeting. Thank you to all educators who play a role in analyzing the data and in creating and implementing this plan.

Please click on the images below for the full stories

Black Diamond Club hosts Baseball Dinner...one of many to come!

Click below for more sports information

Sports in full swing!

Congratulations to Cohasset High School for being recognized by College Board with the highest distinction for Advanced Placement (AP) excellence offered. The AP Honor Roll "recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success." Cohasset High School is honored with a Platinum Distinction in all available categories:

College Culture: Percent of students in the graduating class who took an AP exam at any point in high school, regardless of score.

College Credit: Percent of students in the graduating class who scored 3B on any AP Exam in high school.

College Optimization: Percent of students in the graduating class who took 5 or more AP Exams in high school, where at least 1 exam was taken in 9th or 10th grade.

Thank you to all who support our successful AP program.

We are proud to announce that Cohasset Public Schools has achieved at a 99% success rate in meeting or exceeding our MCAS accountability targets. 99% success in meeting or exceeding targets places us near the top of all districts (#2) in this important measure. Thank you to the leadership, staff, families, and students for their efforts in reaching this milestone. We are excited to share the full results with families soon. We are in the process of analyzing the results so that we can continue this growth for Cohasset Public Schools.

Further accolades for MCAS performance place Deer Hill Elementary School and Cohasset High School as two of the 66 schools in the Commonwealth who were recognized for exceptional growth or achievement under the state's accountability system, which takes into account MCAS scores and other measures. This honor is a complete team effort and certainly reflects the good work happening at Osgood and CMS, as well.

High School

ELA: March 26 & 27 (Grade 10)

Math: May 21 & 22 (Grade 10)

Physics: June 4 & 5 (Grade 9)

Middle School

ELA: April 2 & 3 (Grades 6-8) (CHANGE to the dates from April 1 & 2 to April 2 & 3)

Math: May 16 & 17 (Grades 6-8)

Science: May 7 & 8 (Grade 8 only)

Civics Field Test: May 23 7 24 (Grade 8 only)

Deer Hill Elementary

ELA: April 3 & 4 (Grade 3)

ELA: April 8 & 9 (Grades 4 & 5)

Math: May 15 & 16 (Grade 3)

Math: May 13 & 14 (Grades 4 & 5)

Science: May 7 & 8 (Grade 5 only)

Student Opportunity Act Plan for 2024-2027 was presented to the School Committee on March 27, 2024 and approved for submission by the Committee.

Please see the Professional Development Calendar below for more information about the professional development for this year.

Please see the graphic below, which was established through the collaborative work of the Cohasset High School Community as part of their accreditation process with NEASC. This work also helped to set our District theme for the year, "Follow Your Compass."

We will continue to engage our students with authentic audiences and to work in contexts that simulate real-world scenarios and conditions. Whether it is the Financial Literacy Fair at CHS, second graders investigating salt marsh minnows and intertidal life, Cohasset High School students presenting their civics action plan and analysis of local watershed data to determine water quality and the health of Cohasset Harbor, CMS French students using their language skills in real life by ordering treats in French at our local Cohasset bakery, French Memories, the amazing opportunities throughout the district provided through our partnership with Holly Hill Farm, our diversity fairs and mosaic initiatives, our collaboration with CEF, including Deer Hill physical education (PE) students learning about bike safety and maintenance in PE, our music students meeting with professional musicians, or our civics and sustainability seminar opportunities (just to name a few), We will continue to provide our students with inspiring and engaging experiences. This real-life and authentic teaching focus will be a major focus for us this upcoming year and will undoubtedly be a major component of our next strategic plan.

All plans and handbooks for the 2023-2024 school year have been approved by the Cohasset School Committee. Thank you to Principal Farrell, Principal Sullivan, Principal Mills, Principal Scott, and to their School Councils for this excellent work. Please see below for the approved plans, which coincide with the Strategic Objectives of the Cohasset Public Schools Strategic Plan, 2021 - 2024.

We will continue to engage students and staff in the meaningful discussions necessary to promote change. We are committed to promoting anti-racism and cultural responsive teaching and learning.

Thank you to the CEF for awarding $23,554 for innovative grants in the last grant cycle. We are so appreciative of the support.

Read more about all our awarded grants in the ‘22/‘23 school year below:

CPS is pleased to continue its partnership with the Cohasset Recreation Department by providing before and after school care for our elementary students. We have an amazing staff that provides wonderful opportunities for our students through the RISE program. Please see this link for more information.

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.

Student Opportunity Act Presentation March 2022

Dear CPS Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!

Please review our Tech For Families page on the Cohasset Public Schools web site for a list of links and Getting Started resources for CPS families, such as Aspen and Google.

LINK: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4455

For Families in Grades 6-12, your child is a member of our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program. Check out our recommended specifications to ensure that you purchase a device that will support their learning at CPS.
LINK:: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4454

Follow these steps to help your child install the BYOD certificate at home:
LINK: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4470

Contact our IT Help Desk for help with your Aspen Family or Student Portal Account, a forgot/lost Cohasset K12 Google Account password, or for assistance with your child’s BYOD device.
LINK: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4481

April 8 & 9

Samantha Skunk Performances

Grades K & 3

930AM

April 11

Mosaic Night at CMS

Visit our table!

6-730PM

April 22

Open Coalition Meeting

Zoom

11-1230PM

April 27

National Drug Take Back Day

CPD

10-2PM

April 30

Overdose Prevention Night

East Coast Recovery

6-7PM

THURSDAY, December 14, 2023

The holiday season is upon us and we wish everyone a safe and healthy time celebrating with family and friends.

For some of us, the holiday season may bring heavy emotions or you may have a college student returning home for break. Find resources below to assist during this time.

Youth Ambassadors have kicked off their holiday season with their annual sticker shock at Curtis Liquors (read more here), suicide prevention training, Holiday Stroll presence, and are full steam ahead into the new year.

And as we look ahead into the new year, find information below for our Kick Start breakfast on January 11th. RSVP by December 20th so you do not miss out!

December is National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month

Since 1981, every US president has shown a commitment to stop impaired driving, by proclaiming December National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month, also known as National 3D Prevention Month.

Why December? The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's has statistically shown to be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on American roadways due to impaired driving.

Support for Individuals in Recovery

Above are some alkathons that are happening in the area during the holidays. An alkathon is an event or gathering focused on providing support and fellowship for individuals recovering from addiction. The holidays can be a particularly difficult time of year for many, and alkathons help provide a safe, sober place to celebrate.

To Download and View a Full-Size PDF version of this infographic, please CLICK HERE.

Impaired Driving, Talk With Your Kids

SAMHSA

Holidays bring more social event opportunities that may involve substances. Talk openly with family members about being in a vehicle when the driver is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, including marijuana. Communicate honestly with your children, friends, family members, and colleagues about expectations of behavior and safe choices when attending holiday events, whether they take place in someone’s home or at a public venue.

Please CLICK HERE to continue...

CLICK HERE for more RESOURCES!

Preventing Risky Drinking By College Students The Focus of New Penn State Study

By Penn State news, December 2020

“Underage alcohol consumption has consistently been linked to more frequent consequences across students’ college years, including blackouts, drinking more often and more heavily, and a greater likelihood of driving under the influence or riding with an impaired driver. These outcomes can negatively affect students’ grades, their physical and emotional well-being, and can put them at greater risk of assault or legal problems.”

Please CLICK HERE to continue…

CLICK HERE for more FEATURED NEWS!

Safe Harbor Cohasset Kick Start Breakfast

RSVP by December 20th to safeharborcohasset@gmail.com

“Nine Things Every Parent with an Anxious Child Should Try”

There are many stressors to our day-to-day lives; however, there are many resources available. The District Website has a page dedicated to Social Emotional Learning and Wellness. Please remember that our schools are a resource, and that our counselors, school psychologists, and social workers can support you and your child.

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)

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can do anything to help your student or your family during this difficult time. Most important is the physical and mental health of everyone, and we will stay focused on making that a priority. Please take good care.

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.