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

Just a reminder that we will be implementing alternating in-person Wednesdays for each cohort at every school in the district, beginning with Cohort A attending in-person on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Cohort B will follow the next Wednesday, December 16 by attending in-person. Students will remain in their current cohorts, and we will continue our successful cleaning and safety protocols on the bus, during school, and in-between cohorts. The alternating in-person Wednesdays will be full days at the middle and high school. To facilitate staff contractual prep and common planning time, elementary student dismissal on Wednesdays will be 1:15PM at Deer Hill School and 1:20PM at Joseph Osgood School. Lunch will be served at all buildings and elementary recess will take place. Building principals will communicate any additional needed information regarding changes in learning models later in the week.

The decision to add the alternating in-person Wednesdays for each cohort is right in line with the prioritization of in-person learning for students that is being advocated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). This change was approved by the Cohasset School Committee at the October 28 School Committee Meeting following a comprehensive data review presentation, and the change has been communicated to families and staff in the last four Superintendent Newsletters.

We are happy that we can provide more valuable in-person learning for our students, as in-person learning is, for many reasons, the optimal learning model. Even after the implementation of alternating in-person Wednesdays, we will continue in our efforts to add more in-person learning wherever it is safe and practicable to do so.

Below is the schedule for the alternating in-person Wednesdays for each Cohort:

Cohort A: December 9, January 6, January 20, February 3, February 24, March 10, March 24, April 7, April 28, May 12, May 26, June 9

Cohort B: December 16, January 13, January 27, February 10, March 2, March 17, March 31, April 14, May 5, May 19, June 2, June 16

June 23 will be a remote learning early release day for both cohorts (not in-person). As stated above, beginning December 9, 2020, dismissal for Wednesdays will be 1:15PM for Deer Hill Elementary and 1:20PM for Osgood Elementary.

The 2020-2021 calendar has been updated to include the “Hybrid Cohort A and B additional in person Wednesday” dates starting Dec 9th. And since there is a lot more information on this calendar than in previous years, it’s been reformatted so each month is easier to read. This calendar is also now posted on the district's website.

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. As we transition to the additional in-person alternating Wednesdays, Rise will provide after school care for those students attending school that day. For more information about the program and how to register follow this link.

The holiday season is a time of joy and excitement for many people; however, the holidays can also be a time of stress and anxiety. Especially during this pandemic, holidays are going to feel different. People may not be able to see family and friends as they normally do and there are additional worries concerning wellness. 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”

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.

Today, METCO Leaders, Superintendents, Directors, Assistant Supertintendents, School Committee Members and other METCO district representatives throughout the state met virtually to revisit the mission, vision and core values; discuss an anti-racism roadmap for that will guide districts as needed; and to develop a continuum of practice together for the METCO program. It was a wonderful and productive meeting.

Also, yesterday, under the leadership of our METCO Director Aleisa Gittens-Carle and Atisha Winslow, our Boston students and families met in a Zoom call to discuss the year thus far. We are so fortunate to be a METCO district, and we are lucky to have Aleisa and Atisha working so closely with our Boston families.

As of December 3, 2020, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID-19 test rate over the past 14 days is 2.34%, with 22 positive cases out of 942 tests reported. None of the cases have originated from Cohasset Public Schools. Under the new DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Yellow" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have less than or equal to 25 positive cases over the last 14 days.

Please keep following the protocols of handwashing / hand sanitizing and wearing face-covering masks when appropriate to do so. Here is the complete report that was issued this evening (12/3/2020).

Recently, DPH issued updated quarantine guidance for those who have been exposed to COVID-19. Specifically, an individual must remain quarantined for:

• At least 14 days from the date of last exposure; or
• At least 10 days, provided all of the following are satisfied:
• You have not had, and do not have, any symptoms;
• You are tested on day 8 of your quarantine period or later using a molecular diagnostic test (e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) to detect the presence of the virus;
• You receive a negative test result; and
• You monitor yourself for symptoms for the full 14 days. If you develop symptoms you should contact your health care provider and be re-tested.

The full guidance can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/guidance/information-and-guidance-for-persons-in-quarantine-due-to-covid-19 .

The Cohasset Public Schools has secured funding for the acquisition of approximately 170 Portable Air Cleaners (PACs) for use in various learning spaces throughout the district. We have ordered these PACs in anticipation of the winter months and in an effort to mitigate any potential air quality concerns within the buildings.

In support of this purchase, the district cites the following considerations:

· PACs can simulate a higher Air Change per Hour (ACH)

· PACs can improve air quality

· PACs can be used to reduce airborne contaminants

Thank you to the Cohasset Teachers Association (CTA) and the Town of Cohasset for their collaboration regarding this important safety initiative.

"Flock a family courtesy of the Cohasset PSO! For a $25 donation, you can have a flock of pink yard flamingos delivered to a friend’s lawn as a fun surprise! Visit

www.cohassetpso.org to fill out the electronic form to designate a friend that you wish to have flocked. A crew will flock their yard and the flamingos will nest there for 2 days. Flocks can be purchased starting Friday, November 6th on a first come, first serve basis for the month of November. Proceeds support Curriculum Enrichment Programs, Teacher & Staff Grants, and other initiatives that support student learning and promote success."

- Cohasset PSO

Registration for Winter Sports in now open. Follow this link for more information.

At the November 18 School Committee Meeting, the School Committee approved the following goals. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with all stakeholders in our education community.

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).

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.

Thursday the CMS Pond Street Press journalists had a very special visit from Pulitzer Prize Winner and former Boston Globe journalist Stephen Kurkijan. Mrs. Melia invited Mr. Kurkijan to speak virtually with the journalists about how to be a good reporter, share some amazing stories, and answer questions about his life and the job of a reporter/journalist. Thank you to Mrs. Melia and Mrs. Parrell (Mr. Kurkijan is her father) for working together to create this valuable opportunity.

Updates

1. Cohasset Virtual Youth Center This is now live on the home page of the Town’s website, found toward the bottom right-side of the page. This serves as a central location for all youth-geared programming/events that are occurring via Rec, Library, Elder Affairs, and Safe Harbor.

https://www.cohassetma.org/

2. WANTED: Social Media Boosters Looking to volunteer time to the Safe Harbor initiative but don’t have much time to give? Please consider volunteering to be a designated social media booster.

What does this entail?

Receiving communication from Marketing Director that information has been posted for you to like, comment, share, share to Cohasset143 and/or post yourself

How much of a time commitment?

5 minutes a week

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.

The following email was sent to me by a Cohasset family. Remember that the little things we do for each other make a positive difference during this difficult time. Thank you to this wonderful family for sharing this story and photo!

"I am not quite sure who I should contact regarding this message, but considering 2020 has been so difficult for so many (especially school districts!) I am hoping you can get it into the right hands.

I don’t yet have school aged children, but my days have been positively impacted by members of the Cohasset School staff. My husband and I, like many, have been working from home since March, and have become very familiar with the sound of the school bus coming up our street at 8:45 am and 3:45 pm.

Our two year old son, Pete, loves all kinds of vehicles, so we have been taking him outside to watch the school bus go by. The drivers on this route have been so kind to Pete. They slow down and wave and beep as they pass. We live on a dead end, so we get to watch them go by twice!

This has become a simple joy that we look forward to each day school is in session, and we really appreciate the drivers taking the time to make our son smile. We would be very thankful if you could please pass along our gratitude to the drivers of the busses.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season! We so appreciate the teachers in our community who are working hard during this challenging year."

Email: psullivan@cohassetk12.org
Website: https://www.cohassetk12.org/
Phone: 781 383 6111
Twitter: @SuperCohasset