The CMS Tide Weekly Newsletter

Through the generosity of the PSO, we hosted a visit by JC Pohl, a special guest speaker from TEEN TRUTH, a company focused on empowering student voice in every aspect of education on Wednesday, October 13. In addition to his work in schools, he is an award-winning producer who has worked on film content for companies such as Warner Brothers, ESPN, and Disney. He is also a licensed counselor who specializes in adolescence. Through his work with TEEN TRUTH he has reached over 10 million people around the world.

JC’s address focused on several important points. The first was the value of student voice and perspective which has been a defining feature in his film projects. He shared short clips of two of his projects with the students. The first was on the importance of family and relationships while the second was about wresting control of one’s emotions from social media.

He asked students about the things that create stress in their own lives. The pressure to be successful, schoolwork, and their relationships were volunteered by our students as examples of stressors. JC pointed out that rather than relying on others to accept us with all of our stress and worries, we often wear a mask of invulnerability which makes us feel worse. He discussed the importance of being the kind of individuals who are there to pick each other up and accept others for who they are as it makes it easier to take off our “masks” and feel good about ourselves and others.

Our students were an engaged and enthusiastic audience. We plan on sustaining his positive message through our Peer Leadership program. JC held a Leadership Training Summit after lunch with 8th graders who volunteered to be Peer Leaders. Throughout the year, these Peer Leaders will meet with groups of younger students to support them in their continued development into responsible and kind members of our community.

The CMS Cross Country team brought their record to 2-0 after winning this week's meet againt Randolph and Scituate. Seven Cohasset boys finished the race in the top eight spots! (Robert Blanchard-1st, Carter Backus-2nd, Ciaran Bergan-3rd, Rylan Hurley-4th, Paul Chapman-5th, Liam Baker-6th, and Ian Henry-8th). On the girls' side, Libby Struzziero took 2nd place and Suzy Frank took 5th place. Well done again, CMS runners!!!

We are off to a busy start of the school year and are very happy to see all the students back in the cafeteria. A reminder that breakfast and lunch are free again this year through the Federal Government. Second meals and A la carte items will be charged to student accounts in Mosaic as we have done in past years. Parents/guardians can check student lunch account balances and add money on myschoolbucks.com.

Menus are posted on our website cohassetk12.org each month under the nutrition page. You can also pre-order meals using the “online ordering” button located at the top of each menu. Free and reduced lunch forms are also available on our site and can be filled out at any time throughout the year to qualify for EBT benefits through the state.

Like many other school districts and businesses, we are currently experiencing food and paper product inventory and delivery issues from the nationwide shortage of workers. We may need to make menu substitutions as needed in the coming months. We will update menus on our site if changes occur and Elementary schools will announce menu changes so that students know what is being offered that day. We are working to minimize disruptions and we are hopeful that this issue will be resolved soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We are also seeking one individual to join our cafeteria workers team. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30-1:30 during the school year. Interested candidates can find the posting on our website cohassetk12.org or check out SchoolSpring and Indeed for more details.

Thank you,

Marilyn Haraden

Director of Food Services

The Wellness Committee is looking for family representatives to be part of the committee. The committee is also working with CMS and CHS administrators to find student volunteers. Having family and students voice at the meetings will strengthen the work of the committee.

The committee is currently made up of teachers, nurses, administrators, food service, and a school committee member. The committee meets four times a year to review policy and procedures and chose focus areas to enhance wellness throughout the schools. The district received a grant from DESE which has provided a Wellness Coach for last year and continues into this year.

If you are interested in being part of the Wellness Committee please contact Dr. Scollins at lscollins@cohassetk12.org.

The CMS administration and faculty communicate with our families using many digital and traditional means. Our weekly newsletter, the CMS Tide, will be sent to families and students every weekend. It is also posted on our school website and shared via Twitter (@comsprincipal).

We call it the CMS Tide because just like we find when we walk along the beach, the tide brings to us treasures from the deep. It helps us picture what is going on just beyond where we stand. The CMS Tide supplies news, images, stories about life at CMS to our families each week,

We hope you enjoy each issue this year!

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. The group has members from across the spectrum in the community, including, but not limited to, Paul Pratt Memorial Library, Cohasset Recreation Department, Cohasset Police Department, Cohasset Public Schools, Second Congregational Church, town leaders, health professionals, parents, youth, fire personnel, and concerned citizens. 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, and to find resources for both parents and teens, visit the Safe Harbor website at safeharborcohasset.org. Keep up to date on the latest news and trends by following Safe Harbor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/safeharborcohasset, on Twitter @cohsafeharbor, and 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

We are very excited to partner with Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) in order to promote the positive social-emotional development of our students. There is increasing evidence that helping students feel good about themselves, their school and their relationships improves their learning.

We will administer PEAR’s Holistic Student Assessment to students in grades 6-8. As part of this effort, your child will be asked to complete a brief survey about him or herself at the beginning and end of the year.

Designated school staff will have access to these results. This information can help staff tailor teaching and support programming to our student body’s unique strengths and needs.

PEAR will use data from our school for research and educational work. Students' names will never be used as part of this research. If you have any questions about this effort, please contact Principal Mills at jmills@cohassetk12.org