The CMS Tide Weekly Newsletter

Ms. Lantier's STEM 8 class hosted a special guest this week. Jonny Belber from Holly Hill Farm visited on Wednesday to teach students about planting garlic. Mr. Belber and the students planted cloves in the CEF garden in the small courtyard after learning about winter vegetables, phototropism, and composting. It was a wonderful and educational visit. Our mouths are watering thinking about the garlic bread feast next fall!

Greetings Cohasset Families,

At last night’s School Committee Meeting the Cohasset School Committee voted to move the date for approval for vaccinated individuals at the middle school to unmask until January 18, 2021. Waiting two weeks after winter break allows us the opportunity to view infection rates in our community and in the middle school population (which is still has a lower vaccination rate than our high school community) before allowing vaccinated individuals to unmask. Waiting two weeks after winter break also allows younger middle school students who may not yet be fully vaccinated, but whose families want them to be fully vaccinated, the opportunity to have more time to reach full vaccination before allowing vaccinated individuals to unmask.

Have a nice day.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

CMS will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in February, 2022. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is different from MCAS because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The assessment is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. The results are released as The Nation’s Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.

A sample of 8th graders will take a mathematics or reading assessment. In addition to subject-area questions, students voluntarily complete NAEP survey questions. These questions provide valuable information about participating students’ educational experiences and opportunities to learn both in and outside of the classroom. More information about NAEP survey questions is available at https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/parents under the section “What Questions Are on the Test?”

The assessment takes approximately 2 hours for most students, which includes transition time, directions, and completion of survey questions. Families of students chosen to participate will be notified in January.

The information collected is used for statistical purposes only.

· Your child’s grades will not be affected.

· Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question.

· Participation in the NAEP assessment is voluntary,

The Cohasset School Committee approved the CMS School Improvement Plan on Wednesday. School Improvement Plans are created each year by our School Council, which consist of a balanced team of parents / guardians, teachers and staff, building leadership, and a school committee representative (non-voting).

Typically, our School Improvement Plan is approved in the spring for the following school year. However, because this is the first year of the CPS District Strategic Plan, our plan was approved (as on-going plan) for this year.

We will return to the School Committee in the spring to present the School Improvement Plan for 2022 - 2023.

Thank you to the members of our School Council for their amazing work on our plan, which closely aligns with the Cohasset Public Schools Strategic Plan for 2021 - 2024.

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

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!

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.

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 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