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 January 20 School Committee Meeting, the Cohasset School Committee approved the exploration of the possibility of adding full-time in-person learning (pending bargaining obligations with the Cohasset Teachers Association) for the elementary schools (PK-5), potentially beginning on March 1, 2021. We will be delivering a presentation highlighting the results of this interest survey as well as the logistics regarding a potential plan for full in-person elementary student implementation at the February 3 School Committee Meeting.

As of January 28, 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 3.76%, with 52 positive cases out of 1408 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, 1/28/2021.

For your information, please find below a summary table of all confirmed positive COVID cases in the District as of Friday, January 29, 2021.

Confirmed Positive Cases as of Friday, January 29, 2021

Please see the links below providing reminders regarding travel responsibilities:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

Cohasset Public Schools Travel Order Protocol

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).

Although the holidays are behind us, there are still stresses to our day to day life during this 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.

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 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.

Please see the presentation below, which highlights 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.

Joseph Osgood Integrated Preschool Registration Information Letter

Preschool registration for the 2021-2022 school year begins on Monday, January 4, 2021. Children who turn 3 by September 1, 2021, are eligible to register for the Joseph Osgood Preschool Program, which is held 4 half days per week (Monday-Thursday). There is a morning and an afternoon session. Entrance to the preschool program is based on a lottery system for peer models. There will be a screening process completed for students to determine if they are appropriate peer models based upon screening tools. Peer Preschool Applications will be available on the Cohasset Public Schools district website at www.cohassetk12.org under Departments tab, Student Services & Special Education, Student Registration Forms then Preschool Registration or at the Student Services Office located at 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA 02025. Applications should also be returned to the Student Services Office, no later than January 29, 2021. The lottery will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, and parents will be immediately notified after the lottery. A birth certificate and a document from each category on the Proof of Residency form must accompany all applications. Documentation for Proof of Residency is attached to the application.

Winter sports are in full swing! We are so happy that we are able to provide a winter sports season. We will be constantly monitoring the safety of sports throughout the season.

Thank you to Athletic Director Steve Rotondi and the Cohasset coaches for their leadership regarding athletics in Cohasset during these difficult times.

"Special thanks to the hockey team, who before the return to school filled gift bags and loaded meals in vehicles for delivery to elderly people on the South Shore, veterans at the Brockton VA, and others spending the Holidays alone. Excellent Job!" - courtesy of Principal Scott and the CHS Newsletter

Registration for Winter Sports in now open. Follow 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 competency.

Congratulations to this year's Cohasset Middle School Project 351 Representative, Lucy Royston (pictured below with Principal Mills and Superintendent Sullivan). Project 351, which has membership from all 351 Middle Schools in Massachusetts, began in 2011, when former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick sought to celebrate his second inaugural with a focus on young people and community. "The concept of Project 351, which had been developed by Carolyn Casey, reflected Governor Patrick’s belief in the Beloved Community and the unlimited potential of young people. His embrace led to the realization of Project 351 as a one-day celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., statewide unity, and youth leadership.

Project 351 is a grassroots, youth-led, school-based movement for positive change. One that advances Social and Emotional Learning objectives, scales transformative impact for a portfolio of nonprofit innovators, and develops a rising generation of upstanders, bridge builders, and change makers."

We are so proud of Lucy!

In 2019 the State Of Massachusetts passed the Student Opportunity Act which mandates that school districts create a plan to adresss the achievement gap in a certain area focusing a particular subgroup(s). The District is focusing on PrK through Grade 2 Literacy. The plan was approved by the School Committee on January 20th. You may view the presentation on this link.

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/

PSA: Pressed Pills. Coming FAST to the South Shore. “What is a pressed, or counterfeit pill? They are pharmaceutical imposters made by drug dealers instead of lab technicians. They look exactly like the real thing in color, size, shape and feel.”

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.

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