January 3, 2025
Dear Families,
In his book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari traces the evolution of Homo sapiens and points to the Cognitive Revolution (70,000-30,000 BCE) as a critical moment in history, during which the earliest human beings developed what would become the most promising and potentially devastating characteristic of the species, one which would enable them to flourish more than any other animal: the development of fiction in the broadest sense.
"Many animals and species could previously say 'Careful! A lion!" Thanks to the Cognitive Revolution, Homo sapiens acquired the ability to say "The lion is the guardian spirit of our tribe." (24) This unique ability has allowed humans not only to imagine things, but to do so collectively, and therefore cooperate with each other in new and flexible ways, even with strangers, exceeding the limits of cooperation that exist between other bands of species.
The development of fiction allows us to unify, not just through biological evolution but through shared ideologies. Thus "thanks to the appearance of fiction, even people with the same genetic makeup who lived under similar ecological conditions were able to create very different imagined realities, which manifested themselves in different norms and values." (51)
The power and the peril of this manifestation can't be underestimated. What calls us to collective action as a community, as a school, or as a team is the same power that can divide us politically, racially, or religiously. It also places an enormous emphasis on the importance of individual inclusion in the greater cause and the ability to navigate such a dynamic requires a deft hand that empowers students to think flexibly, and to wrestle with both their own beliefs and their own assumptions. It's one that necessitates a fair amount of humility and cognitive malleability.
For us, those norms are reflected in the Vision of the Graduate, a vision that encourages students and faculty to act with inspiring character, to demonstrate purposeful growth, and to serve the greater good. Such standards are set as such to invite failure by design, but the persistence in moving towards that ideal should empower confidence, empathy, and a sense of community that can inspire one another towards great things.
Have a wonderful New Year.
Sincerely,
Brian T. Scott
Principal
Students Selected to DESE Civics Project Student Leaders Group
Congratulations to Charlotte Reilly and Keira Lynch, who have been accepted to the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)’s Civics Project Student Leaders program for their continued work through Ms. Cerruti's 8th Grade Research Program. Charlotte and Keira were selected from hundreds of student applicants.
PSO
The Cohasset PSO has pledged $50,000 to refurbish the book collection in the Cohasset Middle High School Library.
Because of this financial support, the school has already purchased 317 new books and that number keeps going up.
As 2024 comes to a close, we hope you'll consider donating to the PSO to help us fund this endeavor.
From the Desk of Nurse Collins
We have a very high number of students with mono this fall. As numerous illnesses are spread through the respiratory tract, please remind your student:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Do NOT share food or drinks!!!!
- Cough/sneeze into your elbow.
- Keep their hands away from their face.
- Wash your hands frequently.
Cohasset High School
Website: www.cohassetk12.org
Location: 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA, USA
Phone: 781-383-6100
Twitter: @CoHSPrincipal