Cohasset High School Newsletter

January 16, 2026

Dear Families,

Last month, David French published an article in the New York Times titled "What Courage Does for Us". Reflecting on the nature of bravery, French argues that courage is the "testing point" of every virtue. Quoting C.S. Lewis, he suggests that values like honesty, justice, and kindness mean little if they are abandoned the moment they become professionally or socially costly.

As French writes: “We don’t know if we’re brave until we first face genuine physical risk. We don’t know if we’re honest until telling the truth carries a consequence.” He cautions that when we prioritize self-preservation over principle, our institutions—the scaffolding of a functioning society—begin to decay from within.

This tension is a classic human struggle, famously captured in the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which our AP Literature students just finished reading. Gawain, a knight defined by his "perfect" virtues, ultimately fails a test of courage when he secretly uses a magic girdle to protect his life.

However, the moral of that story isn't found in Gawain’s failure, but in the aftermath. When he admits his mistake, the court doesn't cast him out; they wear green sashes to honor his honesty. They recognize that integrity isn't about being flawless—it’s about the courage to be truthful when we fall short.

Recently, our district and athletics council have done extensive work on our mission and the collective vision we hold for our graduates. Paramount in those conversations is the promotion of character and integrity, whether that instruction takes place in a classroom, on a field, or on a stage.

To live out these values, students need help navigating situations where they may face social or academic pressure for the sake of what is right. I know there is sometimes a fear that mistakes will be met with moral judgment, but I sincerely hope that is never a student's experience here. Like Gawain, our students are in a period of "apprenticeship." We expect them to make mistakes. In a school setting, these moments are relatively low stakes; in the larger world, the consequences are much greater.

While I don’t wish for student mistakes, they are inevitable—and they are vital opportunities to practice the courage and humility that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

Sincerely,

Brian T. Scott

Principal

Midterms and Finals

Midterms and Finals will begin next week and run from Wednesday through Friday. Student exams will be as follows:

Wednesday, period 4, then 3 (this is done intentionally because of the rotation so that students in period 3 who last met today will have another 45 minute block before the exam).

Thursday, period 5 and 1, and Friday period 2.

Lunch will be served although students are able to be dismissed at 12:00 on Wednesday and Thursday if they choose, and at 10:00 on Friday. Teachers will be available until 3:00 for extra help, and students are encouraged to stay. Below are the links to study materials they were given last week.

Communications Survey

As part of our district’s strategic planning work, our Communications Committee is seeking feedback from families through a brief communication survey. Your input will help us better understand what’s working, where we can improve, and how we can strengthen communication between the district and our school community.

The survey is short, anonymous, and incredibly valuable. We encourage all families to participate and share their perspectives.

Thank you for helping us continue to grow and improve together.

Fitness Center

Thanks to a generous grant from the PSO, the fitness center will be open before and after school on select days. Students should refer to the posted calendar for hours.

Boston Globe Honors

In the spirit of Paul Simon, apparently there are 50 ways to be an all star.

You just just hop on the Gus Bus, (Boston Globe Athlete of the Year)

Gus Greene

Division 7: Cohasset | Senior

The senior captain led the Skippers (11-2) to a D7 Super Bowl title with 2,059 rushing yards and a program-record 28 touchdowns along with stellar play at linebacker. The multi-sport star will play lacrosse for Gettysburg College.

Play the Coach A way, (Coach of the Year)

Pete Afanasiw

Division 7: Cohasset

The three-time Globe Coach of the Year led Cohasset to a third Super Bowl title since 2014 with an 11-2 record this fall. The 1989 Marshfield graduate played baseball at Rhode Island and enjoys surfing and snowboarding in the offseason.

And Listen to Beal (Coach of the Year)

Deb Beal

Division 4: Cohasset

In her 28th year coaching, Beal steered the Skippers (17-4-0) to a Division 4 semifinal berth. This is Beal’s fourth Globe Coach of the Year nod. She graduated from Scituate in 1991 and played soccer at the University of Rhode Island.

MLK Breakfast

Please join the Cohasset Diversity Committee and the Cohasset Clergy in celebrating Cohasset’s upcoming 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast! Whether this is your 1st or 22nd MLK Breakfast … all are welcome! Come enjoy the warmth of community, a hearty breakfast and this year’s amazing Keynote Speaker, Rev. Edwin Daniel Johnson share Dr. King’s beautiful message in “Momentary Reflections”.

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Cohasset Middle and High School Accepted into the MSBA CORE Program

Dear Cohasset Community:

At Wednesday night’s School Committee meeting, Cohasset’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sarah Shannon, announced that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) has voted to invite the Town of Cohasset into the eligibility phase of its “CORE” program, in connection with our Middle-High School facility. The MSBA’s CORE program is a competitive state grant program that helps municipalities fund major school renovation and construction projects. This recent invitation for our district to participate in the eligibility phase of the process marks the culmination of six years of work, including multiple site visits and numerous application evaluations by the MSBA, and an independent feasibility study commissioned by the town.

Cohasset’s invitation to participate in this highly competitive grant program is an enormous opportunity for Cohasset to reimagine how our Middle High School, the town’s largest public asset, can best serve the modern needs of its students, staff, and the Cohasset community at-large.

This is still the beginning of a lengthy, detail oriented, and strictly regimented process that involves community input, collaboration, and town meeting votes. As we move through the initial phases of this program, which are governed by the MSBA, we will be forming a school building committee that will provide regular updates and ample opportunities for resident participation, well before any decisions are made or votes are held at any future town meetings.

This is the beginning of a very exciting time for Cohasset; one that will unite us in a critical discourse that will ultimately shape the future of our community’s most important pursuit: the education of our future generations.

Onward and Upward,

Your School Committee