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

At the 2/3/2021 School Committee Meeting, the Cohasset School Committee voted 5-0 to approve the preliminary plan (see attached presentation) to return PK-5 students to full in-person learning on March 1, 2021. A final vote will take place at the February 24, 2021 School Committee Meeting. The intent to bring back students full time, in-person at the elementary level on March 1, 2021 was first introduced at the January 20, 2020 School Committee Meeting following notice to the Cohasset Teachers’ Association (CTA). In addition to the approval of the plan, the Cohasset School Committee voted to approve the funding of voluntary weekly testing for staff at all buildings, through Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) Health, from March until all staff members have had the opportunity to receive vaccination.

We are currently engaged in discussions with staff at each building, and we have been collaborating with the Cohasset Teachers Association (CTA). We are very thankful for this collaboration, and we are excited to move forward with our plan to bring our elementary students back full time, in-person on March 1, 2021. Here is a video of last Wednesday's School Committee Meeting for those of you who want to view it:

Cohasset School Committee Meeting, 2/3/2021

I have also attached the presentation below.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Please see the information below regarding the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID 19 rate and case count over the past 14 days.

Community Report:

As of February 11, 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 3.24%, with 32 positive cases out of 1298 tests reported. Under the DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Red" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have more than 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, 2/11/2021.

For your information, please find below a summary table of all confirmed positive COVID cases in the District as of today, Friday, February 12, 2021.

Confirmed Positive Cases as of Friday, February 12, 2021

IMPORTANT TRAVEL REMINDER:

• Travelers arriving in Massachusetts are required to immediately begin the 10-day quarantine until a negative test result has been received.
• COVID-19 test must be administered up to 72-hours prior to the arrival in Massachusetts.
• If you took a test prior to your arrival but have not received your negative result, you MUST quarantine until you receive the negative result.
• If a test is not obtained before entry in Massachusetts, a test can be obtained after arrival, but you MUST quarantine until you receive a negative result.
• According to the MA DPH regulations, one must obtain an approved molecular PCR test. Please note, a rapid-antigen test is not an acceptable test to end a travel quarantine.
• If choosing not to be tested after traveling, one must complete a 10-day quarantine upon arriving in Massachusetts.

As there are signs that our infection rates are stabilizing, please try to avoid travel, if possible, over the break. If you must travel, please be sure to follow all travel orders.

Please click on the link to review the Massachusetts COVID-19 travel order

Cohasset Public Schools Travel Order Protocol

We are proud to celebrate Black History Month in February. Please click on the link below for resources and events.

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 competency.

The Leadership Team continued Learning Walks by visiting CHS on January 28 and CMS February 11 and want to thank the teachers and staff for all their hard work. These walks allow the Leadership Team to observe the teaching and learning that is occurring which helps the district to continue its forward motion.

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:

Cohasset Public School District and School Report Card

There are many stressors to our day-to-day lives, including the pandemic and the current political unrest. 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

Please see the links below for additional resources.

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

Social Media is a powerful tool. Here is a nice reminder from Jack Buckley of CSCR.

Caron.org offers virtual support for teens who want to quite their use of vaping or nicotine products. Project CONNECT is for students in middle and high school, ages 13-18. For more information https://www.caron.org/lp/virtually-connected.

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.

Cohasset Public Schools and the Cohasset Recreation Department provide before and after school care for our students at Osgood and Deer Hill Elementary Schools. Brett Youmans, DHS PE Teacher, is the director of the program. For more information about the program and how to register follow this link.

The Cohasset School Committee approved the following Budget Calendar and Budget Priorities Thank you to our Director of Finance and Operations, Susan Owen, for her excellent leadership with our budget initiatives.

The following presentation highlights the positions being requested for 2021- 2022 as presented at the January 20, 2021 School Committee Meeting . These positions are in addition to continuing our established .5 nurse and technology director positions, which were added this year during the year.

During the January 20 School Committee Meeting, Dr. Scollins presented our focus for the Student Opportunity Act, which allows us to focus on filling potential learning gaps. Thank you to Dr. Scollins, Barbara Cerwonka (Director of Student Services), Principal Farrell, and to the amazing elementary staff for their focus on this initiative.

This is a tremendous achievement! Way to go, Liam!

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:

1. Go to https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dontwaitpromo
2. Click on "Rent $10.00" You won't be charged; it's already paid for
3. You will be asked to log in or to create a Vimeo account by entering your name, email and password
4. 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:

http://safeharborcohasset.org/our-safe-home/

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. ​

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, stay at least 6 feet 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)

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

The following information was compiled by our district nurses and provides supplementary information to the protocols stated in the Cohasset Public Schools Fall School Re-Entry Road Map. A big thank you to Kelly Gildea (lead nurse) and our district nurses for compiling this information and for their leadership and guidance during this difficult time.

Cohasset Public Schools Medical Frequently Asked Questions

Cohasset Public Schools Decision Tree Regarding Health Situations Related to COVID-19

COVID-19 Symptom Checklist for Parents and Guardians to utilize with their children

Here are some useful videos regarding Mask Wearing, When to Stay Home, and Hand Washing / Hand Sanitizing prepared by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

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