A new season means new adventures.  My first year was very busy as I learned about what makes Cohasset Public Schools a dynamic place for learning.  As we ready for another year, the schools continue to be cleaned and organized, faculty and staff periodically drop in, and the students are beginning to arrive and prepare for fall sports.  The office is bustling with activity. 

 In preparation for the beginning of this year I would like to take a moment to highlight some of the activities and events that took place last year.  As a district we celebrated many happy occasions.  At the High School, the most significant event was graduation.  It was my first year with this group of talented seniors.  Throughout the year they allowed me to be a part of their activities as they left an indelible mark on our schools.   However, that was not the only glorious moment.  All of the classes celebrated musical events as well as sporting events.  Our students found their way to New York to sing, to the ocean to study and to the gyms and fields to demonstrate their athletic prowess.  Every student made a contribution to the Cohasset Public Schools. 

 The Middle School is filled with an energetic group of adolescents eager to engage in new challenges.  They are invested in school academically and after school with their clubs and activities.  I had the privilege to watch them grow and develop this year as they navigate their way through adolescence.  They performed on the stage, partook of the athletic programs, and ventured into the field to explore nature.  

 The students of Deer Hill shared their expertise in numerous ways.  They allowed me to be a part of their Arts Night as well as their musical activities.  I witnessed a group of happy and curious fifth graders grow culminating in a graduation ceremony as they depart for their secondary experience.  They demonstrated their curiosity through technology showing me the world through the use of the iPad.  They embraced technology offering a glimpse to the future when technology is a part of every student’s vocabulary and learning.  Our students continue to embrace their classmates focusing on extending kindness to one another. 

 Lastly, there were many activities at the Osgood School that brought the community together.  The students shared a cheery holiday concert, Snappy Sneaker Day and an arts evening.  They found their way to the library one evening equipped for bedtime and listening to stories.  The students welcomed me into their classrooms to share in their reading, math and art.  I had a chance to dance with Mr. Dykas and his students as well as paint with Mrs. Ogden.  My office is exquisitely decorated with some of their beautiful contributions.     

One of the most important accomplishments this past year was the completion of the Strategic Plan.   The School Committee accepted the plan on June 22^nd.  It will be used to steer the district and help create a vision for the next five years.  Many constituents from the schools and the community at large joined together to help gather information and make critical contributions in its formulation.  Now the plan will assist the administration to make comprehensive and cohesive decisions about curriculum, community, and technology.   It will be the platform by which we make our decisions when adding maintaining or exchanging learning opportunities. 

 Last year I promised to make frequent visits to the classrooms in order to learn about the schools first hand.  I was able to meet that promise by visiting the schools no less than one day per week.  These visits were critical in offering me a perspective that could not be acquired otherwise.  The students came to know me and greet me.  Frequently, I was met by the younger ones who asked me into their classrooms even before their teachers had a chance to do so.  The upper classroom allowed me to participate in their classes, meet them at lunch and chat with me in the hallways.  I was able to participate in traditions such as the Thanksgiving game and the Mr. Skipper contest.  This year will be no different.  One day per week has been designated for school visits; with more time allowed when available.  Sitting with the students is the best way to understand the needs of the district.

I want to take a moment to welcome our new administrators.  Ms. Carolyn Connolly and Mr. Brian Scott joined the Cohasset Public Schools as the High School Principal and High School Assistant Principal, respectively, on July 1^st.  They have been busy this summer hiring faculty, meeting students, and ensuring the building is ready for operation this September.  At the Joseph Osgood School, Mr. Robert LeCount returned at the end of July to assume the role of Principal.  He is well known to many in the community as the adjustment counselor having served in that role for eleven years.  Four years ago he left to be a principal in Bellingham.  Now, he is returning home.  In the central office, Ms. Lori Villani, has joined us serving in the position of Director of Student Services.  She comes to us with a depth of experience in programming and budget.  She has already met many of her staff and has begun the process of examining existing programs.  Additionally, she is working closely with Ms. Louise Demas, Director of Curriculum and Instruction to help institute the Massachusetts Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for all of our students. 

 In addition to the new administrators, I ask that you welcome with me, the twenty new staff into the district.  Many faculty and staff returned numerous times this summer to interview and vet out candidates.  It is our belief that we have chosen a talented group of educators to teach our children.  Please, join me in welcoming the new faculty to our schools.

New Faculty for 2012-2013

I am always excited about the first day of school when our students return.  I enjoy hearing about their summer adventures and their hopes and dreams for the current school year.   I will continue to work with the administration and the faculty and staff to create new challenges for our students both in the classroom and outside.  This year will be very busy with the visit of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) for the secondary level.   The process of accreditation occurs once every ten years.  The faculty has been working on the accreditation process for twelve months and a culmination visit is planned for April 2013.  Also, this year is the Coordinated Program Review for Special Education.  This review, conducted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) takes place every six years.  They will complete their visit January 2013. 

This year we will continue to see upgrades in the technology and the school website.  Class assignments and schedules have been distributed.  If you have not received your notification, please call your school principal.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Barbara J. Cataldo
Superintendent of School