The Cohasset Compass

The past two weeks have been busy ~ we've held four Open House evenings, a community conversation about Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation, two community forums about the Cohasset Middle and High School feasibility study, and received notice that the Cohasset High School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School. It's been very exciting to have all of this happening, and each event has been a celebration of our school community.

• Our open houses celebrated how deeply our teachers care for our students and how much our families care about our staff and schools. I left each one with an overwhelming sense of community, mutual respect and support, and excitement for the year.
• The Anxious Generation conversation was a shining example of how a community can come together to tackle the hard things that challenge our children and us as parents. We are grateful to Buttonwoods Books and Toys for hosting the event and to the panelists, including senior Ella Lynch and CHS English teacher, Jason McCabe, for kicking off what will be ongoing conversations at each of our schools.
• While our CMS and CHS feasibility study is still in its early stages, we had many families engage in a conversation to ask questions and provide input based on their experiences that will inform the work moving forward. At these meetings, we celebrated how important family engagement is to shaping the future of our school district.
• Congratulations Cohasset High School! I want to thank and celebrate Mr. Scott, Ms. Kelliher and all of the high school staff for the work they do every day with our children. They are the reason that the Cohasset High School is the ONLY high school in Massachusetts to have been named as a National Blue Ribbon School this year. As Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona stated in his press release, “The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools. The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.” We are so proud of our high school staff and students!
  

We know that it takes a village to raise our children. The past two weeks have been a wonderful example of the power of our collective Cohasset village. Thank you, all, for being a part of it. And, as always, should you have questions or wish to sit and talk, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at sshannon@cohassetk12.org.

Ever Onward,

Sarah

This week I visited the Osgood and had the opportunity to see math in action. In a first grade classroom students were learning and practicing their estimating skills. They estimated how many popsicle sticks Principal Gaudette is and then measured her! They were right on target with their estimations and learned that she's 14 popsicle sticks tall!

In a kindergarten classroom students were practicing their counting skills and writing numbers by playing a "count the beans" game.

And, in preschool they ended their day with a song that celebrated all of the thinking their brains did that day and the hard work they put in as they tried and learned new things.

Our community conversation about Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation highlighted not only the need for us to manage our children's and our own cell phone and social media usage but also the power of play for everyone, no matter our age, and the need to take responsible risks. To keep this conversation going in our Cohasset community, I will be posing monthly challenges that we can all engage in as adults and with our children. I encourage you, as you do these challenges, to send us photos to be included in future newsletters. You can send them to sshannon@cohassetk12.org.

Our October Challenges (because we're so close to October 1 🎃)

A Play Challenge

Get outside and Jump Rope, Skip, Play Hop Scotch, or Spin

Yes, even you.... no matter how old you are! And, yes, drag your high schooler outside with you!

Our Responsible Risk-Taking Challenge

Try a new food

And, a Special October Challenge For Our Elementary Families

Join your peers in "waiting until eighth" to provide your child(ren) with internet connected cell phones (see the photo below for details)

• October 2 @ 6:00 School Committee Meeting
• October 3: Rosh Hashanah
  
• October 4: CHS PSAT Day
• October 4: Deer Hill Family Movie Night
• October 11: Full Day Professional Development - No School for Students
• October 12: Yom Kippur