As you know, CMS is a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) school. A secure and monitored wireless network is provided so students can access instructional materials, demonstrate their learning, collaborate, and create. In order for this powerful instructional model to work, students must bring a device daily that is charged.

The CMS Main Office keeps a few Chromebooks available for students whose devices are experiencing technical difficulties during school and cannot be immediately repaired. It is important for parents of students who do not remember to bring a device to school or charge it to know that the CMS Main Office will ask a child to leave personal technology (cellphone or Apple watch) in the Main Office as a reminder to return the school device at the end of the day.

We want to be sure students have access to instruction when technology is needed. However, we do not want students to develop bad habits or a laissez-faire attitude about being ready to learn every day.

We encourage our parents to support their children in preparing for school each day. This means expecting your child to complete homework assignments, pack needed materials, fully charge the device overnight, and then making sure to bring it to school everyday. By reinforcing these positive habits, parents help their students develop the tools needed to find success throughout their lives.

On Tuesday, students from all grades attended the CMS Club Fair in the courtyard. Faculty advisors and student members representing various clubs and organizations answered student questions and shared why they participate in that activity. “I really liked learning about all the different clubs the school has," shared one 6th grader. “The worst part is deciding which I want to do–I don’t think I can do them all.” Clubs and activities at the fair included (advisors’ contact information is in parenthesis):

• CMS Yearbook (aayer@cohassetk12.org)

• The Pond Street Press Student Newspaper (mmatthews@cohassetk12.org)

• Robotics Club (rerlandsen@cohassetk12.org)
  

• CMS StuCo (eryan@cohassetk12.org or pjewell@cohassetk12.org)

• CMS Cross Country Team (mgreaney@cohassetk12.org)

• CMS Inclusivity Club (jblouin@cohassetk12.org)

• After School Enrichment Program (meagles@cohassetk12.org)

• CMS Math Team (jcronin@cohassetk12.org)

• CMS Green Team (ksanges@cohassetk12.org)

• CMS Garden Club (cyindra@cohassetk12.org)

• CMS Musical: High School Musical (lramos@cohassetk12.org)

Please encourage your CMS student to consider getting involved in one of these clubs. If your child has an idea for a new activity, ask them to meet with Principal Mills to share their vision.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of learning at CMS.

Grade 6th and 7th Students Enjoy the Beautiful Weather After Lunch

The students seem to be off to a great start! Please remind your children that I am located upstairs in Room 223 if they have any medical needs during the day. They will need permission from their teachers to leave class.

I have received many Confidential Health Forms for the year, but please send one in if you have not yet done so. I will need a new form every year. Also, please contact me if you need to discuss any medications that your student needs to take while in school that you have not already dropped off.

Thank you,

Nurse Erin

Erin Kalberer, APRN

Cohasset Middle School Nurse

143 Pond St, Cohasset, MA 02025

Phone: (781) 236-1070

Fax: (781) 236-1040

Ekalberer@cohassetk12.org

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.

For the purposes of school attendance records, a student must arrive at school before 11:35 am to be considered "present." A student who begins the school day at 8:15 a.m. must remain in school at least until 11:35 am in order to be considered "present." Refer to MGL Chapter 72, section 8: "A pupil who is not present during at least half of a session shall be marked and counted as absent for that session.."

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.

Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition is excited to reintroduce the “Our Safe Home” campaign to address the issues of youth access to alcohol in the community. This effort involves parents, guardians, merchants, and youth themselves. Parents pledge their commitment to joining other parents in providing a fun, safe, and substance-free environment for our children. Merchants pledge to comply by following the law and regulations, to not sell alcohol to young people under 21 years old. Youth are increasing awareness of the issue by talking to adults in their community.

We recognize that we cannot supervise our teens 24/7, nor can we always control the choices they make. However, we will do our part to discourage underage drinking and we will do our best to help each other support and monitor our teens.

You can join us in our efforts to create a safe space for youth in Cohasset by joining the Our Safe Home Directory at our website, www.safeharborcohasset.org/oursafehome. You do not have to have school age kids to participate, it’s simply a message of support. This is not a pledge for adults to not have alcohol in the home- it is a pledge to not provide to minors. You don’t have to share more than your name if you don’t want to, to participate. Please email safeharborcohasset@gmail.com with any questions.

Check out this video to learn more: https://videopress.com/v/rhvBG5Mp