This past Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exercised their authority to remove the requirement for masking on all public and private school buses and vans. Today, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) informed Massachusetts Superintendents that, in line with this CDC change in guidance, decisions regarding masking on buses and vans will now be a “local decision.” At this Wednesday evening’s Cohasset School Committee Meeting (March 2, 2022 at 6:00PM), the Cohasset School Committee will be considering masking on buses and vans with a vote regarding any policy changes following the discussion. Throughout the pandemic, we have followed a transparent process of considering community input before making important policy decisions, and we will approach this latest guidance change in the same manner. Your input at the meeting is valued and encouraged. Until Wednesday evening’s meeting and vote, masks will continue to be required on all school buses and vans for all students and staff. More information on the updated CDC guidance is available here:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html.

As a reminder, effective tomorrow, Monday, February 28, 2022, masking will be optional for all staff and students at Joseph Osgood Elementary School (JOS), regardless of vaccination status. Please remember that this allowance in no way prohibits or limits individuals from wearing masks at Joseph Osgood School, should they wish to do so. Masks are currently optional for all staff and students at Cohasset High School (CHS), Cohasset Middle School (CMS), and Deer Hill Elementary School (DHS), due to those schools previously meeting the 80% vaccination threshold requirement set by DESE. In addition, at the most recent Cohasset School Committee Meeting, the Cohasset School Committee voted for the following: 

• Beginning tomorrow, Monday, February 28, 2022, masks will be optional for all visitors, in all our buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
• We will continue to follow the DESE/ Department of Public Health (DPH) Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios - SY 2021-2022, which include requiring masking for students and staff returning from quarantine / isolation (for up to five days, while attending school / work).
• In accordance with DPH recommendations, we will continue to require masking in all nurses’ offices, throughout the District, until further notice.

Over the vacation all cafeterias and gymnasiums were restored to their pre-pandemic formats.

Please see the information below regarding the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID 19 rate and case count over the past 14 days.

Community Report:

As of February 18, 2021, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID-19 test rate over the past 14 days is 3.16%, with 29 positive cases out of 1203 tests reported. Under the DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Red" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have more than 25 positive cases over the last 14 days.

It is imperative that we all follow the protocols of handwashing / hand sanitizing and wearing face-covering masks when appropriate to do so. Here is the complete report that was issued this evening, Thursday, 2/18/2021.

For your information, please find below a summary table of all confirmed positive COVID cases in the District as of today, Thursday, February 18, 2021. There were no reported confirmed cases involving Cohasset Schools Community Members this week.

Confirmed Positive Cases as of Thursday, February 18, 2021

IMPORTANT TRAVEL REMINDER:

Travelers arriving in Massachusetts are required to immediately begin the 10-day quarantine until a negative test result has been received.COVID-19 test must be administered up to 72-hours prior to the arrival in Massachusetts.If you took a test prior to your arrival but have not received your negative result, you MUST quarantine until you receive the negative result. If a test is not obtained before entry in Massachusetts, a test can be obtained after arrival, but you MUST quarantine until you receive a negative result.According to the MA DPH regulations, one must obtain an approved molecular PCR test.  Please note, a rapid-antigen test is not an acceptable test to end a travel quarantine.If choosing not to be tested after traveling, one must complete a 10-day quarantine upon arriving in Massachusetts. 

If you traveled over the break, please be sure to follow all travel orders.

Please click on the link to review the Massachusetts COVID-19 travel order

Please see the information below regarding the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID 19 rate and case count over the past 14 days.

Community Report:

As of February 4, 2021, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID-19 test rate over the past 14 days is 3.40%, with 46 positive cases out of 1440 tests reported. Under the DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Red" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have more than 25 positive cases over the last 14 days.

It is imperative that we all follow the protocols of handwashing / hand sanitizing and wearing face-covering masks when appropriate to do so. Here is the complete report that was issued this evening, Thursday, 2/4/2021.

For your information, please find below a summary table of all confirmed positive COVID cases in the District as of today, Thursday, February 4, 2021. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cohasset Public Schools this week.

Greetings Cohasset Families,

Please click on the link to access this week’s Navigator Newsletter and Health Updates. As of November 19, 2020, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID-19 test rate over the past 14 days is 1.58%, with 13 positive case out of 822 tests reported. Under the new DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset remains in the "Green" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have less than or equal to 15 positive cases over the last 14 days. The full report can be found here.

A reminder that next week at the elementary schools, Cohort A will go in-person on Monday and Cohort B will go in-person on Tuesday. Deep cleaning will take place on Monday evening between cohorts. As was previously announced, we will remain in full remote at the middle and high school next week, with students resuming the hybrid model beginning on Monday, November 30.

Wednesday, November 25 is a remote learning day for all schools. Remote learning will end at the following times, as Wednesday is a scheduled half day.

Middle and High School: 11:15AM

Elementary Schools: 12:00PM

We feel very thankful to work in a District that has wonderful staff/faculty, families, and students. Have a wonderful weekend and Thanksgiving!

Greetings Cohasset Families,

Please click on the link below to find this week’s edition of The Navigator Superintendent’s Newsletter for 9/25/2020. This edition contains some great images from our successful start to the school year. Thank you to everyone who made this week a special week for our students and staff. We are excited for next week!

Also, please click on the link to access this week’s Cohasset Community Health Update. The percentage of positive cases in Cohasset over the past two weeks is 0%, which keeps us in the unshaded category indicating communities that have less than five (5) confirmed cases of COVID-19 over a two week period. Please remember the shared responsibility we all have to keep social distancing, to wash and sanitize your hands, and to wear masks when appropriate. Our collective vigilance with these safety measures is paramount. Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

The following reports were completed by BALA Consulting Engineers on September 2 regarding our school HVAC systems.

Joseph Osgood School HVAC Report

Deer Hill School HVAC Report

Middle and High School HVAC Report

Please click on the link to view our HVAC Action Plan based on these reports.

Cohasset Public Schools HVAC Action Plan. Presented to the Cohasset School Committee on 9/16/2020.

Greetings Cohasset Public Schools,

Each Wednesday, the Department of Public Health (DPH) releases its Weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report that contains critical metrics for each municipality. Effective this week, there is also be a color-coded indication posted for each municipality calculated on a rolling two-week basis. Based on these updated weekly COVID-19 metrics, DESE’s guidance for how these data should inform each school and district’s learning model is as follows: 

• Red will designate communities with more than 8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. REMOTE
• Yellow will designate communities that have more than 4 and up to 8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. HYBRID
• Green will designate communities that have 4 or fewer COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: FULL TIME IN-PERSON or HYBRID (if not able to fit all students under social distancing requirements)
• Unshaded will designate communities with small populations and fewer than 5 cases within the last 14 days: FULL TIME IN-PERSON or HYBRID (if not able to fit all students under social distancing requirements)

Currently, Cohasset Public Schools is in the “Unshaded Category,” indicating that in-person schooling is appropriate when social-distancing guidelines are followed.

I have included information regarding these metrics, as well as the Cohasset Community Health Update for August 14, 2020.

Have a great evening,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

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

Good Morning Cohasset Families,

Last evening, Commissioner Riley’s Planning Group released its initial fall school re-opening guidance (please click on this link to view the guidance). As Commissioner Riley declares in his memo, “the initial guidance for school reopening this fall prioritizes getting our students back to school in person—safely, following a comprehensive set of health and safety requirements. At the same time, DESE is requiring each district and school to also plan for remote learning and a hybrid school model, a combination of in-person and remote learning, should conditions change this fall or winter.”

We have already announced the formation of a comprehensive district planning team (please click on this link to access the Fall School Re-Entry Planning Team) and of a timeline for the development of our fall school re-entry road map (please click on this link to access the Fall-Rentry Road Map Development Timeline). Planning will take place at both the district and school level, and student, faculty / staff, and family voice will be paramount as we plan.

Cohasset Families, please take a few minutes to fill out the following survey, which will be used to help the planning teams (PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO ACCESS THE INITIAL GUIDANCE FAMILY SURVEY).

A similar survey will be issued to faculty and staff in the coming days. We also plan to send out an additional survey to stakeholders after the planning team has their work in draft phase.

I have also attached a brief video where I explain our approach to planning:

https://youtu.be/hcePl24ZNm8

We are Cohasset Strong, and we will get through this together! Have a great day.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Greetings Cohasset Families,

The first attached document presents the timeline we will use to create a Road Map for Fall School Re-Entry. We are committed to using a thorough process that is inclusive of stakeholder voice at every level. However, we do recognize the need to get information out as quickly as possible. Because of this need, I will be sharing information from the guidance that is set to come from The Commissioner's Re-Entry Group. The Commissioner has asked that superintendents not go deeply into planning before the guidance from his group is issued. It is expected that the Commissioner will send his guidance, which will serve as a foundation for our work with our own Re-Entry Team, to superintendents and district leaders within the next two weeks. Our timeline provides opportunity for staff and family input in forums before the final Road Map is published. Cohasset Public Schools Fall Re-Entry Plan Map Creation Timeline

The second attached document presents the Cohasset Public Schools Fall School Re-Entry Planning Team 2020 – 2021. Thank you to the students, parents / guardians, faculty, staff, community members, town employees, and school leaders who are on the Re-entry Subcommittees. The broad scope of this team will provide a great collective voice for the school community as we apply the guidance to make the fall re-entry work for our faculty and staff, families, and students. Cohasset Public Schools Fall School Re-Entry Planning Team 2020 - 2021

“KEEP THE JOY” 

It is important that as we create our safety conscious plans to start school in the fall that we remember the importance of "joy" within our schools. The Cohasset Public Schools are vibrant and warm places for staff to work and for students to learn, and we will focus within our planning on keeping that warmth that makes Cohasset a special place. We will continue to view everything "Through the Eyes of the Student," and we will keep stressing that "This is Important, You Can Do It, and We Will Not Give Up On You" throughout any changes that come our way.

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for all you do!

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Greetings Cohasset Families,

In preparation for what the fall may hold for schools, the leadership team will be formulating subcommittees that will help advise and guide planning moving forward. These teams will be particularly valuable as specific guidance comes from Commissioner Riley and his School Re-entry group. Family input is paramount, and we will be seeking it through these committees and in public forums once we establish a road map for re-entry. Our existing teams, including our Safe Schools Team, Wellness Team, and Social-Emotional Learning Steering Team will be instrumental in helping to guide the social-emotional support we provide for students, families, and staff. Here is a list of the committees we will create that will advise the Leadership / Steering Team:

• Elementary Instructional Planning: Osgood & Deer Hill
• Secondary Instructional Planning: CMS & CHS
• Facilities/School Operations Planning, including Safety and Social Distancing Protocols and Materials
• Technology Planning
• Athletics Planning
• Before-and-After School Program Planning / Club Planning
• Social-Emotional Planning

1. Student Social-Emotional Support Planning
2. Staff Social-Emotional Support Planning

• Family Connection Planning

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Greetings Cohasset Families,

This week, building principals will be communicating to families regarding the specific building plans for the pick up of student belongings. Here is the overarching collection schedule:

• Tuesday, May 26 & Wednesday, May 27: pick up of medicines at the entrance of each building (12:00PM – 2:00PM…middle school medicine pick up will be at the high school entrance)
• Friday, May 29: pick up of student belongings and collection of school materials for seniors (Cohasset High School)
• Monday, June 8 & Tuesday, June 9: Cohasset Middle School student pick up of student belongings
• Tuesday, June 9: Deer Hill pick up of student belongings
• Wednesday, June 10: Joseph Osgood pick up of student belongings
• Thursday, June 11: Cohasset High School pick up of student belongings
• Friday, June 12 has been set as a rain make-up date to be used as needed

We will be following all social distancing guidelines throughout the process.

Additional dates will be established for the return of school materials for each school during the last week of remote learning for the 2019 - 2020 school year. Information regarding the collection of school materials will be communicated after the return of student belongings is complete.

Greetings Cohasset Families,

The final day of school for students for the 2019- 2020 school year will now be June 16, 2020. Ending school on June 16 meets our required number of school days for the year and allows us to implement our two-remaining full-day professional development days for staff on June 17 and June 18 to help with transition considerations for next school year. As Principal Scott indicated in a connect-ed sent to Cohasset High School families last week, the final day for Cohasset High School seniors will be May 27, 2020 with make-up work being allowed through June 1, 2020.

Have a great evening,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Good Afternoon Cohasset Families,

Today, Governor Baker announced that all public and private schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will remain closed for the duration of the 2019 – 2020 school year. Remote Learning will continue and will end on June 18, which has been determined to be our final day of school for 2019 - 2020. We realize that this announcement may cause additional stress for families and for students. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, school counselor, or principal if we can do anything to support you or your child. In the coming days, we will be communicating regarding grading decisions at each building and other considerations to help students and families as we move forward with our extended Remote Learning approach. We will continue to partner with families to offer support in every way we can. Please take good care.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Greetings Cohasset Families,

Linked below, I have included a graphic and information that summarizes the recent study by MIT that finds Massachusetts' approach to Remote Learning to be ranked #2 in the United States. I have also included the below article, “Keep it Simple Schools,” which outlines Massachusetts approach to Remote Learning by highlighting a question and answer session with Massachusetts Commissioner of Education, Jeff Riley. We will continue to work to provide social-emotional support and continuity of learning during this difficult time. 

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/summer20/vol77/num10/Keep-It-Simple,-Schools.aspx

Massachusetts' Rank in Remote Learning According to MIT Study

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Good Morning Cohasset Families,

Currently the Cohasset Police indicate that there are approximately 1300 residents without power in Cohasset. Please know that teachers are aware of these power outages and that they will be flexible when it comes to any due dates for remote learning assignments that may be impacted by the storm. Please also know that the storm may impact some staff from being able to deliver assignments today. If you have a specific question about assignments, please contact your teacher or building principal.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Good Afternoon Cohasset Families,

I wanted to bring to your attention a couple of meaningful resources that may be useful for families. Governor Baker recently launched Buoy’s Health Online Resource. This tool, which is not a replacement for emergency care, helps connect individuals who are exhibiting COVID -19 symptoms with appropriate health care resources http://www.Buoy.com/mass. Please remember to call 911 or visit an emergency room if you are experiencing an emergency.

In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has released Massachusetts 211, a 24 hour hotline that provides real time information, resources, and referrals in many languages https://mass211.org/. Please also remember that our school nurses are here to support you and to direct you to resources. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them or to our Lead Nurse, Sandy Crough at scrough@cohassetk12.org if they can help you in any way. We will get through this together. Have a nice weekend and Holiday.

Dear Cohasset Families,

Commissioner Riley informed District Leaders in this afternoon's Desktop Newsletter that as a result of the health crisis and federal and state actions, that he is enacting state legislation and cancelling this spring’s regular administration of grade-level MCAS tests for students in grades 3-10. 

In addition, the legislation allows the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, upon the Commissioner's recommendation, to modify or waive the requirements of the competency determination for high school graduation in order to address disruptions caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 or the state of emergency. The Commissioner is currently considering various options, and further guidance will be forthcoming. Have a great evening.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Greetings Cohasset Families,

The Cohasset School Committee, District Leadership, and the Cohasset Teachers Association (CTA) have collaborated and determined that April 21, April 22, April 23, and April 24 will be school / workdays for the District. The April 20 Patriots’ Day Holiday will remain as a day off. This decision will ensure that we maintain momentum with our recently implemented Remote Learning Plans.

Recently, the Commissioner of Education provided guidance that “If a school district continues providing its remote learning program for students from April 21 to April 24 (April vacation week, minus Patriots’ Day), the district is not required to go beyond its previously scheduled 181^st day.” As a result of this decision, our final day of school for the 2019 – 2020 school year will now be June 18, 2020.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Greetings Cohasset Families,

Here are a few updates for today, April 6, 2020:

• This Friday, April 10 (Good Friday) will be a day off as planned in the school calendar and will not be considered a school day. 
• As we roll out our Remote Learning Plans, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher / team / principal if you need any assistance. Please describe what you need, and we will work with you to overcome the challenge. There is no need to add additional stress to your family during this already difficult time.
• As was mentioned in a previous communication, the Community Updates will now be communicated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Dear Cohasset Families,

The Cohasset Public Schools will be providing remote learning opportunities during the school closure period.  If you are concerned about your child being able to access or participate in any of these services, please contact Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Leslie Scollins, at lscollins@cohassetk12.org to discuss your concerns and possible alternatives.

Currently, school administrators and educators are working together to finalize remote learning plans.  These services may involve one or more of the following:  emailing assignments to be completed; online, pre-recorded, or virtual lessons; and/or video conferencing and telephone calls.  The precise tools to be used may depend on the student and teacher.  In the upcoming days, you will receive additional information regarding the plans related to your child(ren).

Because we expect at least some of the remote learning to be conducted by virtual, telephonic, or other means, the Cohasset Public Schools reminds the school community about the importance of protecting the participants’ privacy and of maintaining a safe, respectful environment conducive to learning.  Thus, the school district expects all participants (including but not limited to students, teachers, parents, guardians, and other staff) to adhere to the following expectations in virtual, telephonic, online or electronic sessions (collectively referred to as “remote sessions,” regardless of technology used):

• Participants will not share the links to the remote sessions with others or otherwise invite or allow others to participate in the remote services, without the school district’s express consent. 
• Participants agree to participate in remote sessions in a quiet, private area free of distraction, to the extent practicable, to provide an environment conducive to learning and to protect the students’ and other participants’ privacy.
• To the extent virtual technologies are used, participants acknowledge other participants in the remote sessions will see whatever is visible by the participants’ webcam or other device, including but not limit to themselves, their children, and portions of their homes.  Likewise, participants acknowledge that they will see whatever is broadcasted by other participants.  Accordingly, participants are encouraged to participate in remote sessions in appropriate locations and to safeguard information they would not wish to be shared.
• Participants understand that certain information that may be protected under, among other laws, FERPA, the IDEA, HIPPA, and the Massachusetts Student Records regulations, might be disclosed in the course of remote sessions. Participants agree not to share any confidential student record information for any other students with third-parties or other not participating in the specific remote session.
• Participants agree to behave in a manner conducive to learning, to the extent possible.  Pertinent district policies and rules, including but not limited to those prohibiting cyberbullying and any acceptable use policies, apply during remote sessions. Students and family members shall refrain from sharing inappropriate visuals or using inappropriate language during remote sessions.  The school district reserves the right to remove from any remote session any participant who violates these rules or is not acting appropriately.  The school district also reserves the right to suspend students from remote sessions and to impose additional consequences when school resumes, if a student commits disciplinary offenses during or in connection with the remote sessions. 

In addition, recording the remote sessions, however provided (e.g., by video conference, pre-recorded lesson, phone call), without consent, may be prohibited by state and federal law, including the Massachusetts wiretapping law and FERPA.  Participants agree not to record in any way (e.g., video or audio recording, screenshots, or photographs) the remote sessions unless otherwise agreed to in advance and in writing by all applicable parties.  This prohibition applies to remote sessions provided individually and in a group setting.

Your participation, or that of your child in any remote sessions arranged by the Cohasset Public Schools means you agree to the terms set forth in this letter and will not hold the Cohasset Public schools liable for release of any student or personal information.  In addition, the Cohasset Public Schools understands that you have consented to your child using the technology used to access remote sessions.

If your child is eligible for special education or English language learner services, you will receive additional information from your child’s service provider(s) regarding your child’s access to the remote learning opportunities and special education services during the school closures.

Remote Learning Safety and Privacy Expectations

Commissioner Riley's Letter to Families Regarding Remote Learning

Dear Cohasset Families,

As a follow-up to my previous letter regarding our approach to Remote Learning, I have attached Commissioner Riley's letter to families. This information is available in multiple languages at http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/

Dear Cohasset Families,

Yesterday district leaders received further guidance from Commissioner Riley regarding remote learning during the now extended school cancellation period (the anticipated return to school or students is now Monday, May 4, 2020). This guidance was endorsed and signed by the American Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association, the Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association and the Massachusetts Teacher Association. This advice can be accessed by clicking on the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FlFG8jiCYFzQyKlmu9N1cKCV84l_IbIF/view?usp=sharing

As a result of this guidance, we are moving from enrichment to a focus on providing academic assignments, deepening academic skills, and increasing student engagement especially for students in grades 6-12. Remote learning is not synonymous with or limited to online learning. As Commissioner Riley explains in his guidance:

Examples of remote leaning tools include large-group vido or audio conference calls, 1:1 phone of video calls, email, work packets, projects, reading lists, online learning platforms, and other resources to effectively engage with students. These tools could be used to deliver lessons, provide individual student  support, provide resources (including instructional material and student assignments), connect student to each other and their teacher, and provide feedback on student work. (Riley, 3/26/2020)

Although we can never replace the connections and learning that goes on within our schools, our approach, when possible, will be authentic, project-based, innovative, creative, fun and engaging. This is a wonderful opportunity for schools to focus on inspiring creativity, engaging student voice, and providing non-traditional learning that will help all students. The following article highlights the opportunity that this time presents for us to envision learning in a different manner from what happens during a traditional school day.

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/03/16/remember-online-learning-isnt-the-only-way.html

Our theme all year as a school district has been “Through the Eyes of the Student,” and our remote learning approach will reflect this theme. We will be communicating to families of students who have special education programs and to families of English Language Learners in order to best meet their needs. We will also be differentiating our approach by grade-level and by content. Communication will be forthcoming over the next week from your child’s building principal regarding the structure of the Remote Learning Plan and timeline for implementation at your child’s school. Overarching district guidelines will also be communicated. Our expectation is that the new Remote Learning Plan will begin during the week of April 6, 2020.

Most importantly, we will strive to attend to the social-emotional needs of our students and families by providing transparent communication, personalized connection and unwavering support. Please know that our planning will be respectful that many parents / guardians are working from home, taking care of children and family members and potentially dealing with illness during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Dear Cohasset Families,

As this crisis becomes more of a constant than temporary discussion in households, I thought the attached advice from Maria Trozzi, M.Ed. would be helpful regarding how families can best cope during times of crisis. This advice supports the previous information sent to you regarding talking to your children during this crisis. Ms. Trozzi is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine; Director of the nationally renowned Good Grief Program at Boston Medical Center, a consultant to the Child Development Unit at Children’s Hospital, and an author. Her credentials and expertise have established her as one of the foremost experts in the country on resilience as families, schools and communities face crises. 

Also, as there is a shortage of N-95 type masks, Cohasset Public Schools is donating 500 masks to first responders and health care workers. We are also attempting to make masks using our 3D printers. We will all get through this crisis by working together. 

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Cohasset Public Schools

Helping Families Cope During Times of Crisis

Greetings Cohasset Families,

I want to clarify why we have taken the approach of remote learning and enrichment instead of facilitating direct on-line instruction during this crisis. Please understand that as is the case with any approach to learning in a public-school setting, that we are required by law to provide access to the learning being offered to all students. We are also required by law to support all special education needs. These practices are legal and moral obligations that all public schools share.

As it is not possible to guarantee access for all, nor is it possible to guarantee that we are supporting all special education needs through direct on-line instruction currently, we are instead providing optional enrichment in order to allow for the continuity of learning. We are following federal law and the guidelines from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) with respect to our approach. Please know that we will always be inclusive with our offerings, and that we will never require assignments nor offer instruction that cannot be accessed by all.

Navigator March 20, 2020

Resource Link from the Department of Education