CMS faculty and staff are looking forward to Open House next Thursday (9/28) as a great opportunity to meet our parents.

Parents will begin the evening in their child’s period one classroom and then will following their schedule, in numeric order, ending the evening in period seven. Students will write out their schedules during Tuesday's utility and bring it home for parents. If this schedule is misplaced, students can write out their schedules from memory or check Aspen. Below is a downloadable copy of the blank schedule form in case your student misplaces the schedule.

For parents, Open House is not only a night to meet teachers, it also provides a valuable opportunity to learn how to support your child in each class. Teachers will share important details about the class such as email contact information, how frequently homework is assigned, and how students will record assignments, and how the class materials are organized so that parents can help a child stay organized and successful in each class.

See you at Open House!

We are excited to again partner with Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) in order to promote the positive social-emotional development of CMS students. There is increasing evidence that helping students feel good about themselves, their school and their relationships improves their learning.

We will administer PEAR’s Holistic Student Assessment to students in grades 6-8. As part of this effort, your child will be asked to complete a brief survey during utility class on September 27, 2023.

The survey is constructed using the Clover Model of Social Emotional Development which describes child and adolescent development as a holistic interaction between four core developmental needs: Active Engagement (engaging the world physically), Assertiveness (expressing voice and choice), Belonging (social connection and relationships) and Reflection (thought and meaning-making). The survey does not ask about issues such as sexuality, gender, or self-destructive behaviors (i.e., drug/alcohol use, etc.)

Aggregated data is used by designated school staff to help us tailor teaching and support programming to our student body’s unique strengths and needs. PEAR will use data from our school for research and educational work. Your child’s name will never be used as part of this research.

If you have any questions about this, please contact: Principal Mills jmills@cohassetk12.org

If you do prefer that your child does not participate in this brief survey, please submit a PEAR Parent Request for Non-Participation (by clicking here).

A high-quality arts education empowers students to take artistic risks and supports the social emotional and learning needs of all students. (MA Dept. of Elem. and Secondary Education)

Bus Evacuation Drills (photos courtesy of Mr. Ayer)

Professional Development: CMS Faculty Discuss Student Writing Skills

Important Reminder:

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. The main purpose of the form is to provide parent/guardian permission for me to administer over the counter medication to your children if indicated, and the form needs to be completed annually.

Thanks,

Nurse Erin Kalberer

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.

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.

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.

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

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 CMS administration and faculty communicate with our families using many digital and traditional means. Our weekly newsletter, the CMS Tide, is emailed to families and students every week. It is also posted on our school website .

We call it the CMS Tide because just as the tide brings to us treasures from the deep and leaves them on the beach for us to discover, The CMS Tide brings to our community the news, images, and stories about life at CMS each week,

We hope you enjoy each issue this year!

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