COHASSET — Cohasset Public Schools will begin operating its own before- and after-school program for elementary students this fall, taking over a service previously managed through the Recreation Department while keeping many of the features families have come to expect.
School officials presented the transition during the June 24 School Committee meeting, announcing that the district will oversee the program beginning with the 2026-27 school year. The program, which serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade, will continue to be based at Osgood School, with registration opening Aug. 17 through the district's website.
Superintendent Sarah Shannon said the district is building on an existing program rather than creating a new one from scratch. The transition shifts responsibility for registration and administration to the schools while keeping familiar staff and daily routines in place.
"This is our pilot year…Hopefully all is going to go well and it's going to be great," Shannon said. "And so just a matter of the logistics for figuring out all the details for us to be taking over the registration piece."
The district has selected Deer Hill physical education and health teacher Brett Youmans to lead the program. Youmans has worked with the program for the past decade while it operated through the Recreation Department, giving the district continuity as it assumes responsibility.
The schedule will remain largely unchanged. Morning care will run from 7 to 8:40 a.m., while afternoon care will continue until 6 p.m. Students will participate in structured activities, crafts, outdoor play, snacks and supervised homework time.
Officials said one goal of bringing the program under the school department is to better connect activities with students' classroom experiences. In addition to recreational activities, staff hope to reinforce skills students are already learning during the school day.
"I think one of the biggest pieces that I've seen over the 10 years that I've been doing the program with the recreation department is the collaboration with the kiddos playing together and that social emotional learning," Youmans said. "I also think there's another way we could tap in and utilize other resources within the building."
He said those resources could include working with classroom teachers to reinforce sight words, math facts and other academic skills without extending the school day.
"So I think that's an important piece that I want to keep is that structured playtime," Youmans said. "It's not extending the school day, so to speak, but reinforcing what they should know and benefiting them throughout the program as well."
The district also plans to incorporate additional activities that teach practical life skills. Shannon highlighted ideas such as themed snack days where students help set tables, practice cafeteria etiquette and share meals together.
The program will continue to use licensed educators and maintain a staff-to-student ratio of one adult for every 10 children, according to the presentation. Staff members will also receive training in first aid, CPR, medication procedures, food safety and other district safety protocols.
Committee members also asked why the district decided to bring the program in-house. Shannon said the move was driven in part by licensing requirements and will provide additional financial flexibility.
"Because we now own it, there are things we can charge off to the before and afterschool program that we were not able to do before," Shannon said. "So there is a financial benefit to us bringing this fully in-house."
The district plans to publish registration information in its weekly newsletter and create a dedicated webpage with program details before enrollment opens in August.