Deer Families

Deer Hill School News . May 17, 2024

Hello, Deer Hill Families!

For the last six years Deer Hill has enjoyed an expanding partnership with the Cohasset Working Dog Foundation which has brought us Reading Rovers, MCAS greeters, working dog assemblies, and furry friends when we needed a bit of extra TLC in our building. The positive impact on both students and staff is evident in the smiling faces when our canine ambassadors are on site. This leads me to some exciting news. . . we are taking that partnership even further with the introduction of a school based comfort dog (and therapy dog in training). Hugo Dogberry, a mini Bernedoodle, joined the Sullivan household two weeks ago and is looking forward to his new role as Deer Hill's comfort dog. Hugo is currently 10 weeks old and is at the very beginning of his training through CWDF. Next fall he'll become an increasing presence at Deer Hill where he'll offer comfort, hugs, a listening ear to our avid readers, and a steady dose of school spirit as a mascot for our Skipper Creed. Eventually, the hope is that he'll be able to spread some cheer in the other schools in our district as well. In the meantime, Hugo is getting acclimated to our building on the weekends and looking forward to meeting staff during our early release day on May 24. Before the end of the school year, he'll also have a meet and greet with his new Deer Hill friends (from afar for now because, well, puppy teeth). This summer keep an eye out for him, too, as he plans to spend lots of time exploring his new hometown of Cohasset and joining community events with other Cohasset Working Dogs!

As we roll out this new stage of our work with CWDF, there will be a presentation to School Committee in the coming months. I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have at any point.

All the best,

Alexandra L. Sullivan

Principal, Deer Hill School

P.S. Our next newsletter will be published on May 31, 2024.

Need to Knows

Deer Hill Family Handbook

Bike to School with Mr. You: On Wednesday, May 22, and Wednesday, June 5, students have an opportunity to show off their biking skills and bike to school with Mr. Youmans, who has been practicing bike riding and safety with students in his PE classes. With a police escort to help us out, students are invited to bring their bikes and meet at the Town Common at 8:30 to join Mr. Youmans (and maybe other Deer Hill staff) on a ride to school.

Attention Grade 5 Families: Principal Mills from Cohasset Middle School and I collaborate closely to ensure a smooth transition to 6th grade for our current 5th graders. Please see this document which lists the dates of all planned transition steps. Earlier this week Principal Mills visited each classroom to share details with 5th graders about CMS and answer any questions. 5th graders also had live and virtual visits from the World Languages and Music programs which are now open for course selection.. Last night Principal Mills hosted an informational Zoom for rising 6th grade families.We're excited for our upcoming transition activities as well!

Grade 5 Send-Off Information: It's a busy time of year for everyone but especially out grade 5 families. Please see this itinerary for the Grade 5 Send-Off which will be held on Tuesday, June 11 at 9:30.

Rising Grade 3 Info Night Zoom: On the other end of the spectrum we're excited to begin welcoming our future second graders to Deer Hill! Please join us if you have a younger sibling headed to Deer Hill, and thank you for sharing this info with other incoming grade 3 families you know.

Order Your Deer Hill T-Shirt: Please place your order on MySchoolBucks, and we'll send a t-shirt home with your child.

Deer Hill Happenings

CEF Spelling Bee: Did you hear the buzz? The CEF hosted another successful spelling bee (the 15th!) that spanned three afternoons and three grades. Participation was high and our spellers were i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e! Many thanks to the CEF and the staff members who volunteered their time. Congratulations to the following winners:

Grade 3: 2nd place finishers, Two Smart Cookies (Katie Florek and Reese Leonard) and 1st place finishers, Nana and Gato (Patrick O'Keefe and Ben Squatrito)

Grade 4: 2nd place finishers the Super Spellers (Everett Manley and Bennett O'Keefe), and 1st place finishers, the Daring Dictionaries (Brody Baker and Harry Brophy)

Grade 5: 2nd place finishers, the Slaying Spelling Stingers (Ava Arace, Nova Coser, & Emma Lantier) and 1st place finishers, the Bee-Ballers (Leo Lamberti and Jack Urquhart)

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Grade 3

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Grade 4

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Grade 5

CEF Grants at Deer Hill: Deer Hill submitted two grants to the CEF in their spring grant cycle and were thrilled to have both accepted! Mr. Youmans wrote a grant to update our playground safety with new pads and nets for the basketball court and a new flooring surface for the Gaga Pit (no more stone dust!). We were also successful in obtaining a grant to install a paved path that will encircle the perimeter of our field and lead through the pass to Osgood. This will create a walk-and-talk space during recess and snack, an additional place for Mr. Youman's bike riders to practice during PE, and a safer route for bikers riding that direction during arrival and dismissal. Thank you to the CEF for your generosity!

May the 4th Be With You!: For the 3rd year, Deer Hill held a Star Wars themed spirit day that also included service to our community. This year we welcomed CHS students from Mr. Sears' AP Chemistry and Senora Nelson's AP Spanish to visit our classrooms where students showered them with letters of encouragement for their upcoming exams.