Greetings Cohasset Families,
On Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10, the subcommittees of the Cohasset Public Schools Re-Entry Team met to discuss re-entry planning in the following areas: Family Connection and Communication, Instruction at Osgood, Instruction at Deer Hill, Instruction at Cohasset Middle School, Instruction at Cohasset High School, Facilities, Social-Emotional Support, Student Services, and Technology. These successful meetings were filled with important discussions, sharing of ideas, and passionate considerations for our students, families, and faculty / staff as we plan for the possibilities of returning in an in-person learning, hybrid, or remote learning model. Thank you to the many stakeholders (students, faculty / staff, parents / guardians, School Committee Members, Town Employees, and Town Leaders who participated in these meetings. It was a great showing of how paramount Cohasset holds the success of its youth and schools. These meeting were one important step along the planning cycle. The Cohasset Public Schools Fall School Re-Entry Planning Timeline can be found here.
As part of our approach to re-entry, the social-emotional wellness of all our students will be paramount. We are already taking steps to prepare and to implement a safe and supportive return. On Thursday, July 9, the Collaborative of Academic and Social-Emotional Learning (CASEL) issued its re-entry guidance for schools. This document reflects the approach we are planning for social-emotional support. The CASEL Re-Entry Road Map can be found here.
Also, on July 9, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) produced its Comprehensive Special Education Guidance document and shared it with superintendents and district leaders. This guidance can be found here. This guidance will be followed closely by all faculty and staff.
Yesterday, Commissioner Riley’s Fall Re-Entry Group issued a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the Initial Fall Guidance. The FAQ Document can be found here, and the Initial Fall Guidance, which was sent out to families on June 25, can be found here. Commissioner Riley also issued a memo to superintendents and district leaders that emphasized the importance of leaders not communicating official Re-Entry Plans until August because of information that is forthcoming regarding financial support, and because of the need to track COVID-19 rates within the community before making final decisions. This memo to school leaders can be found here.
Finally, the Cohasset Community Health Update for 7/10/2020 can be found here. Please read this document, as it emphasizes the importance of all of us remaining vigilant regarding the social distancing practices required to keep COVID-19 low in our community. I will keep staff and families updated as new information comes my way and as we continue through our planning process. Have a nice weekend.
Sincerely,
Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cohasset Public Schools
