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

Please click on the link to access the Review of Fall School Safety Measures Presentation from Wednesday's Cohasset School Committee Meeting. Thank you to all who contributed voice during the meeting and in the meetings preceding the presentation. More discussions will take place regarding safety at the upcoming school committee meetings on October 20 and November 3.

Please click on the image below to access our updated page on the Cohasset Website outlining our coronavirus procedures. Thank you to our district nurses for putting this information together.

In order to ascertain whether a school has reached the 80 percent vaccination threshold, which would allow vaccinated individuals in that school to not be subject to the mask requirement as of November 1, 2021 (pending decision from local authorities), we ask that, if your child is vaccinated, that each of you confidentially inform your school’s nurse of verification of your child’s vaccination status no later than the end of the school day on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. As there is currently not a vaccination available for students under 12 years of age, we realize that this attestation does not currently apply to all students. However, we encourage you to communicate vaccination attestation to your school nurse upon vaccination of your child. Your verification must indicate that your child has received either the required two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson’s Jannsen.

All documentation related to a child’s vaccination status will be maintained confidentially.

Proof of your child’s vaccination, submitted to your child’s school nurse, can be provided in one of the following ways:

• A signed self-attestation completed by a parent / legal guardian of the child indicating the brand of vaccine; or
• Documentation provided to the individual by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health or a health care provider. Documentation may include but is not limited to a COVID-19 vaccination record card or a copy or digital picture of the vaccination record card, or a print-out from the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS).

Thank you for your understanding and for your assistance.

Community Report:

Below please find the Cohasset Community Health Update as of October 7, 2021.

As of October 7, 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 1.29% with 619 tests reported. The town of Cohasset has seven (7) positive cases reported over the past two weeks. Currently, 83% of eligible Cohasset residents are fully vaccinated with 8% of eligible residents partially vaccinated. Under the DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Grey" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have less than or equal to 10 positive cases over the last 14 days. Here is the complete report issued on October 7, 2021.

To date, since the start of the pandemic, we have had no know transmission of COVID-19 in our schools. Here is the Confirmed Positive COVID Cases Weekly Update Spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is also found on the district website under COVID-19 information. As always, all close contacts of COVID-19 positive individuals will be informed in a separate communication. When a positive case occurs, anyone who is determined to be a close contact is provided with specific instructions regarding testing and quarantining (if there is a need for them to test and quarantine).

Please see the below message from Cohasset High School Principal Brian Scott. A similar message is being sent out by Middle School Principal John Mills in his Newsletter. Thank you for helping to create and maintain a safe, respectful, and responsible culture in Cohasset Public Schools.

"As many have likely heard in the news, a series of "challenges" trending on the social media platform TikTok have captured the attention of students both locally and nationally. As school began, we had two minor incidents of bathroom vandalism at the high school, which were addressed in conjunction with the student council and have not happened since.

Since then, a series of new challenges have been posted which escalate from stealing soap dispensers to criminal behaviors which include vandalism, theft, battery, and sexual assault. While I cannot imagine that any member of our community would be callous enough or foolish enough to participate in such behavior, experience teaches me that such situations are best addressed proactively.

Please have conversations with your students about the seriousness of participating in such challenges, the consequences of which will not only be met with swift and considerable discipline from the school but will also be reported to the Cohasset Police Department as possible crimes."

Brian T. Scott

Principal

Cohasset High School

The Wellness Committee is looking for family representatives to be part of the committee. The committee is also working with CMS and CHS administrators to find student volunteers. Having family and students voice at the meetings will strengthen the work of the committee.

The committee is currently made up of teachers, nurses, administrators, food service, and a school committee member. The committee meets four times a year to review policy and procedures and chose focus areas to enhance wellness throughout the schools. The district received a grant from DESE which has provided a Wellness Coach for last year and continues into this year.

If you are interested in being part of the Wellness Committee please contact Dr. Scollins by October 14 at lscollins@cohassetk12.org.

Last year on October 7, 2020, we were very happy to welcome Erica Parrell (fourth grade teacher) and her Teach from the Shore Committee, as they presented to the School Committee and advocated for our October holiday, which we celebrate this coming Monday, to be recognized as Indigenous Peoples' Day. At the meeting the School Committee unanimously approved it after listening to the heartfelt and inspiring presentation. Congratulations to Mrs. Parrell and her students! This is a perfect example of student voice and agency at its finest!

This week was a short but wonderful week. In addition to a successful professional development day for teachers, the week was filled with excellent teaching and learning throughout the district.

"Is there room in your home and heart for a foster child? The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is actively recruiting foster parents for children in Cohassset coming into care. We are searching for individuals or families with the love and patience to help foster children. You can be single, married, partnered, divorced or widowed. You can own your home or rent.

We need homes for children aged 0 to 22 which include sibling groups, children with special needs, medically involved children, and infants born exposed to drugs and older teens. We are looking for long-term foster homes but also have a need for emergency and respite homes which involve a shorter time commitment on the part of a foster family.

Our goal is to provide our foster children with a supportive and healing environment in a home in their own community until they can be reunited with their families or another plan can be made on their behalf. The rewards of providing daily care, guidance and acceptance are immeasurable.

If you are thinking about becoming a foster parent, you can learn more about the application process and the supports provided by the Department by attending an information meeting.

Please contact Jahnea.Johnson@mass.gov or by phone (857)295-0162." - DCF

'

Please click on the link below to access the PSO fundraisers currently under way, including the exciting Deer Hill Fun Run, which is scheduled for October 14!

After more than 40 years, METCO's Boston Headquarters has relocated to the heart of Roxbury in Nubian Square. We are proud to be a METCO district, and we are so fortunate to have such wonderful students as part of our school community. We are together one community!

I was honored to be a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony and so thankful for the leadership of our METCO Director Aleisa Gittens-Carle who led the prayer at the opening. Aleisa has served as a wonderful leader in Cohasset for 21 years, and we are very fortunate to have her on the team. Please see below for a presentation highlighting the new space and the leaders who were there to celebrate the opening of such a wonderful building.

Thank you to everyone who helped to create this collaborative plan. We enjoyed discussing the implementation of this plan at the Cohasset Farmers Market . A big thank you to the Farmers Market for allowing us to visit for these meetings. We will be providing other opportunities during future Superintendent Coffees to talk about the plan and about all matters involving Cohasset Public Schools.

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.

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.

Dear Families,

Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year! In an effort to consolidate information about technology at CPS for you, the Tech For Families page has been updated on the Cohasset Public Schools web site. There you will find a number of links to resources and tutorials for you and your child, including important BYOD information for Grades 6-12 and Clever sign in instructions for our PK-5 families. You may also explore online safety and wellbeing resources for parents that will help your child stay safe online while at home. The site will continue to evolve and thank you for your feedback to help us improve communications about technology at CPS with you.

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

Contact our IT Help Desk here for help with your Aspen Parent or Student Portal Account, a forgot/lost Cohasset K12 Google Account password, or for help with a BYOD device.

URL: https://portal.cohassetma.org/Forms/CPS_IT_Support

Sincerely,
Lisa Radden
Director of Digital Learning and Technology
Cohasset Public Schools
lradden@cohassetk12.org

Food Service Department October Update

We are off to a busy start of the school year and are very happy to see all the students back in the cafeteria. A reminder that breakfast and lunch are free again this year through the Federal Government. Second meals and A la carte items will be charged to student accounts in Mosaic as we have done in past years. Parents/guardians can check student lunch account balances and add money on myschoolbucks.com.

Menus are posted on our website cohassetk12.org each month under the nutrition page. You can also pre-order meals using the “online ordering” button located at the top of each menu. Free and reduced lunch forms are also available on our site and can be filled out at any time throughout the year to qualify for EBT benefits through the state.

Like many other school districts and businesses, we are currently experiencing food and paper product inventory and delivery issues from the nationwide shortage of workers. We may need to make menu substitutions as needed in the coming months. We will update menus on our site if changes occur and Elementary schools will announce menu changes so that students know what is being offered that day. We are working to minimize disruptions and we are hopeful that this issue will be resolved soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We are also seeking one individual to join our cafeteria workers team. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30-1:30 during the school year. Interested candidates can find the posting on our website cohassetk12.org or check out SchoolSpring and Indeed for more details.

Thank you,

Marilyn Haraden

Director of Food Services

Continuation of Universal Free School Meals:

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended school meal waivers through the end of the 2021-2022 school year, allowing the continuation of universal free school meals at any school district throughout the state for the rest of this school year, through the summer, and through next school year. Schools nationwide will be allowed to serve meals through USDA’s National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option, which is typically only available during the summer months and which allows schools to serve free meals to all children. More information is available online.” (Commissioner Riley’s Update, April 20, 2021).

The State released information regarding MCAS results from last spring. Student reports are being sent home on October 8. The assessment was one session vs two sessions per content area therefore DESE has changed the format of the scoring to show the range a child's score falls.

When reviewing student scores, students, families, guardians, and educators should keep in mind that:

• This is one data point that a school uses to support student learning. Schools use multiple measures to look at the whole student and determine individualized instructional support for your child.

• The district is using the overall MCAS data to create strong-grade appropriate instruction with just-in-time scaffolds when they are needed.

To learn more about the 2021 MCAS go to:

https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/results.html and http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/

Friday, October 8 staff participated in a variety of professional development opportunities geared to the needs of their building. Elementary staff participated in a Mini Institute for Literacy facilitated by Teaching Learning Alliance, Inc. where they engaged in workshops in creating a comprehensive literacy approach. CMS spent time developing critical thinking skills and creativity skills around integrating technology into instruction with Ms. Radden and Ms. McKay. Principal Mills and Dr. Salas began a data dive into the PEAR assessment and collaborated on ways to support and strengthen the social emotional development of their students. CHS engaged in meaningful work with consultant Carla Pugliese to learn ways to build stronger relationships with students through SEL, differentiated access, and proactive responsive practice.

I want to thank the staff for all their hard work today and their commitment to enhance their practices to continually improve teaching and learning.

Mrs. Cerwonka leading a discussion on the Multi-tired System of Support (MTSS).

Cohasset High School is excited to announce Mamma Mia as our fall musical!

Thank you to everyone who auditioned.

Since July 2014, Safe Harbor Cohasset has been working to promote awareness and implement resources to help make an impact on the substance use in the community. The group has members from across the spectrum in the community, including, but not limited to, Paul Pratt Memorial Library, Cohasset Recreation Department, Cohasset Police Department, Cohasset Public Schools, Second Congregational Church, town leaders, health professionals, parents, youth, fire personnel, and concerned citizens. In September 2017, Safe Harbor was awarded a federal Drug- Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant, which focuses on preventing substance use among youth ages 12-17.

Since then, the group has worked to foster a strong and inclusive community that allows youth to strive and encourages healthy, educated and responsible choices about drug and alcohol use. The mission is supported by evidenced based, prevention focused, sustainable policies and youth- focused programs, such as Ground Level Café and the Safe Harbor Youth Ambassador Program. To learn more, and to find resources for both parents and teens, visit the Safe Harbor website at safeharborcohasset.org. Keep up to date on the latest news and trends by following Safe Harbor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/safeharborcohasset, on Twitter @cohsafeharbor, and on Instagram @safeharborcohasset.

Families 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

• 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

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. Below are some additional resources that you or a friend may find helpful. Please remember that our schools are a resource and our adjustment counselors can support you and your child.

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

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

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