The CMS Tide Weekly Newsletter

• Students had the opportunity to learn about autism this week through utility period activities, announcements, trivia games, and on Friday we signed a pledge to be inclusive individually and collectively. Students wore tie-dye to represent the diversity of the autism community. The week was collaboratively planned by the CMS Inclusivity Committee.
  

SMART-Technology

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has stated clearly that students are not allowed access to cell phones or other electronic devices during testing. This includes smartwatches. Students will be instructed by test administrators (teachers proctoring the test) to power off their devices and put cellphones and smartwatches in their backpacks.

DESE has may invalidate test results for students who use cell phones or other electronic devices at any time during a test session, including after students turn in their test materials, during a break, or after testing while in the testing location

Please reinforce to your student(s) this state requirement and our expectation for full cooperation. We would regret having any of our students' result invalidated as a result of failing to comply with this security rule.

Calculators

New for the 2021, students in grades 3–8 will take only one session for each test in spring 2021. As MCAS sessions are prepared, the testing software will randomly assign students to either Session 1 or Session 2. For grades 7 and 8 Mathematics, this information is important because Session 1 is a non-calculator session and Session 2 is a calculator session.

Although students taking Session 2 will have a calculator available to them in the online testing environment, they are also entitled to use handheld calculators if they want. Thus, test administrators will know which of their students have been assigned Session 2 to ensure that only those students use handheld calculators.

The software will make this assignment several days before testing. CMS will communicate to students and families in which test students have been assigned so they can plan accordingly and bring a calculator.

Overview:

The Massachusetts Health Council (MHC) and Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) want to give young people the opportunity to express themselves creatively while raising awareness about the importance of mental health.

The contest is open to all middle school and high school students grades 6-12. The submission deadline is May 14, 2021.

Our theme is “You’ve got a friend in me!” Some of the topics you can address in your submission include:

• What advice would you give a friend struggling with their mental health?
• How can you let a friend know they can reach out to you for support?
• How would you want a friend to help you?
• What do you do to take care of your own mental health? Do you have strategies or tips to share with other students?

Categories:

• Audio Visual: Informational video, rap, song (between 20- 60 seconds)
• Written: Poem, short story (maximum 1,200 words)
• Artistic Still: Painting, drawing, infographic, collage, photography (can include a title and description)

General Guidelines:

Individuals or teams are eligible to participate and submit original work.

Submission Period: April 15th - May 14th, 2021

The Massachusetts Health Council (MHC) and Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) will review each submission - and may include guest judges!

MHC and MAMH leadership reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not meet the contest guidelines. No personal, identifying information from any contestant age 13 or under will be retained by MHC.

Submissions should be suitable for publication and review by students over age 12, and should not encourage or incite dangerous, hazardous, or unlawful behavior.

Prizes:

The Grand Prize for each category is $200

2nd place is $100 and 3rd place is $50!

We will contact you and your parent or guardian (if under 18) by email to distribute the winning checks. With your permission, winning entries may be featured on MHC or MAHM’s websites and/or shared on social media.

Submission Instructions: This is the important part!

Just send your submissions via email to Y’aneris Olivencia at y’anerisolivencia@mamh.org. Please use the subject line: You’ve got a friend in me! You will receive an email confirming your submission.

You can send a link or attachment with a document, scan or photograph of your art, or video or audio file. Please include a cover note with the following information:

1. Name

2. Telephone number or other contact information

3. May we share your submission on our website and/or social media? (This is not required!)

Questions? Email Y’aneris at y’anerisolivencia@mamh.org or call her at (321) 830-9965!

Among our most treasured partnerships is our relationship with Safe Harbor. You frequently see Safe Harbor event notifications and stories in the CMS Tide. But what is Safe Harbor?

About the Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition

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. 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, visit the Safe Harbor website at safeharborcohasset.org. Keep up to date on the latest trends by following Safe Harbor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/safeharborcohasset, on Twitter @cohsafeharbor, & on Instagram @safeharborcohasset.

Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu observed "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity."

These are certainly difficult times and many parents and families are experiencing great stress. Our ability to cope is regularly challenged and, understandably, there may be times when individuals can no longer manage their emotions. It is important to know where to turn when we reach that point.

To help our families, we share this contact list of support providers--Mental Health and Crisis Contacts These support providers offer great opportunities to help receive help when those we love are struggling to manage.

The Cohasset Middle School is a grade 6-8 school dedicated to the development of the whole child. We are an inclusive, supportive, and safe learning environment committed to excellence and growth. Our community values experiential, collaborative, active learning that is rigorous and relevant, and fosters creative, responsible contributors to a global society.

Website: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Domain/9
Location: 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA, USA
Phone: 781.383.6100
Twitter: @comsprincipal