This week we reached the midpoint of the first term. Nelson Mandela encouraged us to celebrate milestones and reaching the middle of the term is a milestone. It is the sort of milestone that deserves to be reflected upon. It is like taking a long walk on the beach and turning around to see how far we've come, scanning where we stand to appreciate where we are, and then looking ahead to see where we're going.

At CMS, this is when CMS students and families should be checking to see where the student is and how the first leg of this trip has gone. Students and parents should check academic progress on Aspen. When it appears that the trip has not gone well and the student does not seem to be making expected progress, it is important to reach out to the teacher to learn what steps are needed to find greater success going forward. There is still time in term one to improve. As Mandela said we must "prepare for the road ahead" as we celebrate our milestone.

We need your accurate contact information to be able to get in touch with parents during an emergency, as well as to share good news and the occasional concern.

All parent/guardians of CPS students are now able to verify and update their contact information in Aspen's Parent Portal. The workflow is intended for a parent/guardian to electronically update (per student) the following information:

• Physical Address Change
• Emergency Contact changes (add/delete/change)
• Handbook Acknowledgement
• Can student be photographed
• Can the district share information with PSO/CEF
• Military Status

Please follow the steps provided at the link below to learn how to verify and update your child's contact information in Aspen.

Go to: https://www.cohassetk12.org/Page/4859

Just a reminder that MCAS results were sent home last week. If you did not receive your child's results, please contact CMS at 781-236-1070 or by email.

The district is creating a committee to review the current volunteer program process in an effort to make the program and process more consistent across the schools as well as grow opportunities for volunteers in the schools. The committee will be made up of building and district leaders, staff, PSO members, and family members. The committee will meet after school about 5 times over the course of the year. Our first meeting is scheduled for November 16 at 4:00pm. If you are interested in participating on this committee please contact the Dr. Leslie Scollins, Assistant Superintendent, at lscollins@cohassetk12.org.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine with no preference for any one vaccine over another. The CDC also recommends routine annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications. We no longer mandate the influenza vaccination at CMS, but it is highly recommended that you have your child vaccinated. You DO NOT need to submit proof of your child’s influenza vaccination this year.

Thank you,

Nurse Erin

Erin Kalberer, APRN

Cohasset Middle School Nurse

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76 requires that each school notify parents and guardians if their student has five (5) or more unexcused school absences. Parents and guardians will receive a letter when their child has 5, 10, and/or 15+ days of unexcused absences. The letter will also include the number of unexcused tardies and unexcused early dismissals.

Absences will be excused under the following circumstances:

• After a medical appointment documented with a note from the medical office

• Illness or quarantine with a note from the appropriate medical office

• Observance of a religious holiday

• Bereavement or serious illness in family

• Court appearance

• A child may also be excused for other exceptional reasons with approval of the Principal or designee in accordance with the school committee policy and the regulations set in Chapter 76

Daily attendance is essential to a student's success. Missing a significant number of days of school has a detrimental effect on academic and social development. Therefore, each school will work with individual families to support student attendance.

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.

Oftentimes when dealing with personal or family issues, we feel overwhelmed because we lack experience and expertise with handling these issues. We want to be sure our families know that they are not alone--there are many resources on the South Shore that can help.

Community Resources

Wellspring Multi Service

Website: wellspringmultiservice.org

Address: 814 Nantasket Ave Hull, MA 02045

Phone: 781-925-3211

Contact: Jenny Gerbis, Community Outreach, ext. 127, jenny@wellspringmultiservice.org

Baystate Community Services

Website: baystatecs.org

Address: 1120 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169

Phone: 617-471-8400

Email: info@baystatecs.org

Cohasset Food Pantry

Address: 129 So. Main Street, Cohasset, MA 02025

Phone: 781-383-0219 ext. 25

Cohasset Rotary Club

Website: cohassetrotary.org

Email: cohassetrotaryclub@gmail.com or pwmcohassetrotary@gmail.com

Interfaith Social Services

Website: interfaithsocialservices.org

Address: 105 Adams Street, Quincy MA 02169

Phone: 617-773-6203

Email: info@interfaithsocialservices.org

Safe Harbor Coalition Cohasset

Website: safeharborcohasset.org

Address: 35 Ripley Road, Cohasset, MA 02025

Phone: 781-783-5293

Contact: Nicole Balaschi, Program Director,

Email: safeharborcohasset@gmail.com

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 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!

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