Cole Miners' Dig

Next week will be a short week with early dismissal for all students at 12:20 PM on Wednesday. There will not be a Cole Miners' Dig published next week.

As you gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on what you're grateful for. Research shows that practicing gratitude has measurable benefits. Studies from UC Berkeley and Harvard Medical School have found that people who regularly acknowledge their blessings experience increased happiness, improved sleep, stronger relationships, and even better physical health. Something as simple as sharing what you're thankful for around the dinner table or writing down three good things from your day can make a lasting difference in well-being. I, for one, am extremely grateful to be surrounded each day by your magnificent children, our amazing staff, and the very supportive Cole School community. I hope your family enjoys a restful and meaningful Thanksgiving holiday.

A celebration to share - currently, 3% of our school population has missed 10% or more of the school year compared to 8% of students at this time last year. We are very pleased with this school wide improvement! We appreciate the effort families put forward to get students to school for full days of learning whenever possible and only if children are healthy enough to attend.

Important: Reducing Mid-Day Drop-Offs

This week, we tracked items dropped off during the school day and counted 18 deliveries—including 3 instruments, 5 water bottles, 2 pairs of sneakers, 3 homeworks, 1 lunch, 1 book, 1 coat, and 2 dismissal notes that came in after the 2pm deadline. Each delivery disrupts classroom instruction when we must use the PA system to call students to the office.

What We Need From You:

Please do not drop off forgotten items during the school day unless there is a genuine emergency. The school has resources to address these situations:

• Water bottles and lunches: Water fountains and cups are available throughout the building, and the cafeteria provides lunch options.
• Coats and outerwear: We have extras available from our Lost and Found.
• Sneakers: Students will participate in gym class in their regular shoes.
• Homework and library books: These will be accepted the following day or week.

Dismissal Changes: All dismissal changes must be communicated before 2:00 PM. We distribute a printed list to teachers at that time. Late changes require classroom interruptions via the PA system, which we cannot accommodate except in true emergencies. Your child will be fine without these items for one school day. Maintaining uninterrupted instruction is our priority, and we need your cooperation to make this happen.

We have two upcoming free extracurricular before or after school options for students.

• Ms. O'Malley and Mrs. Louchheim will be offering Eco Explorers. Eco Explorers is open to students in grades 1 through 5 who are interested in learning more about nature while having fun outside. Eco Explorers will meet for six consecutive Mondays from 3:25 to 4:30. We will begin on Monday, January 5.
• Mrs. Bretsch and Mrs. Rantz will be offering Math Club. This 4-week Math Club is open to motivated students in grades 1-5. Participants will meet on Thursday mornings from 8:00-8:45 in the library. We will play math games and work on challenging problem sets both independently and cooperatively. Grade 1-3 students will meet January 8, 15, 22, and 29. Grade 4-5 students will meet February 12, 26, March 5 and 12
• In addition, all Cole School students will be able to sign up for the Math Kangaroo competition. More information will be included in the Math Club flyer.

• Both sign ups will be sent out to Cole School families at 4pm on Monday, November 24th.

It is starting to get pretty chilly outside! As a point of information, we go outside for the 30 minute recess block whenever possible, but there are times when we call indoor recess for inclement weather (heavy rain, extreme cold or heat, thunder/lightning). In the winter, we use 22 degrees as a guideline, but we also factor in windchill, time of day (early recesses can be colder), and student preparedness for outdoor play for 30 minutes. The goal is to have students outside everyday whenever possible though so please help your children dress for outdoor play in cold weather.

On Monday, students will meet with Connections groups to talk about the Habit of Mind - Listening with Understanding and Empathy. This habit means that we devote mental energy to another person's thoughts and ideas. We make an effort to perceive another's point of view and emotions. Ask your child about Connections and what they learned this week.

The 2025 Cole School "Choose Your Adventure" Spirit Week is ready and shared here to help families prepare to participate if they so choose. Each day, there are two choices for your child to decide their spirit week adventure. This is a low key and fun way to head off into winter vacation. Participation is completely voluntary.

What a great crew of Magnificent Meerkats this week! Students were nominated for so many wonderful reasons including demonstrating integrity, offering help to others, showing persistence when faced with challenges, and being a kind and positive friend and classmate to all! It is the highlight of my week to share the nominations with each student and to see them beam with pride. Way to go, Meerkats!

November:

November 24 - Connections Meeting - Habit of Mind - Thinking Flexibly

November 24 - NHS Peer Educators Visit Gr. 4 and Gr. 5

November 26 - Early Release - all students dismissed at 12:20pm

November 27-28 - No School

December

December 1 - Grades 3 and 4 - One Love, One Village Jamaica Fundraiser in Gym

December 5 - Trimester Ends

December 6 - PTO Winter Festival 9-12pm at Cole School

December 8 - Connections - Habit of Mind - Thinking About Your Thinking

December 8 - Grade 5 Virtual Author Visit with Dan Gemeinhart

December 10 - Early Release - All students dismissed at 12:20pm

December 12 - Report Cards Available in Aspen at 3pm

December 15 - Kindergarten Traditions in Gym 9:15-9:45

December 15 - Cole School Presentation to Norwell School Committee at Norwell Library 7pm

December 17 - Choose Your Adventure Spirit Week Begins - Arctic Animal Day - Polar Bear or Penguin

December 17 - Grade 5 Nutcracker Play 7pm

December 18 - Shine Brightly Day - Wear Gold or Silver

December 19 - Holiday Treat Day - Dress as a Gingerbread or Candy Cane

December 22 - Holiday Gear Day - Wear holiday socks or hats

December 23 - Flannel or Jammies Day - Wear flannel or jammies or both

December 23 - Early Release - All students dismissed at 12:20pm

Looking Ahead:

December 6 - PTO Winter Festival

June 5 - Field Day

June 11 - Grade 5 Celebration (for grade 5 parents and grade 5 students only) 6-8pm

The first Student Government meeting of the year was a great success! Classroom representatives met to discuss what it means to be a citizen and learned that citizens can make an impact when they work together. Representatives then decorated their classroom “Ideas & Suggestions” envelopes, where classmates can submit ideas to help make the Cole School community an even better place to learn and grow. These suggestions will be shared at our next meeting.

Hi Cole families! Cole School started our week on Monday by meeting with our Cole Connections groups and learning about listening with understanding and empathy. Students got to act out scenarios where they could utilize those skills. Some of our small groups learned about coping strategies that involve physical movement and others continued learning about how to use the Zones of Regulation. I hope you and your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

There are many resources available for families in need of additional support for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Please reach out to either Mrs. Burns (eliza.burns@norwellschools.org) or Ms. Mullen (anna.mullen@norwellschools.org). All information will be kept confidential.

K-2 had fun playing a soccer game. Grades 3-5 played a cooperative team building game called Capture the Turkey! Each team worked together to defend their turkey from being captured and strategizing to capture the opposing team’s turkey. Lots of cardio, smiles and fun!

There has been a lot happening in the Cole School Library during technology class. Since September, students in grades K–5 have been busy exploring the library while building important digital literacy skills. All grades have reviewed how to use the library responsibly and practiced essential iPad skills. Students in grades 1–5 have been working in Typing Club, and students in grades 2–5 have been learning the foundations of coding through Code.org. In grades 3–5, are encouraged to use the online digital catalog to search for books, along with Sora, an online book app. Kindergarten and 1st graders have been focusing on basic iPad skills and navigating digital tools. Many are enjoying the notes app to draw and write.

Students have also been checking out library books since the start of the school year. Just a quick reminder that books should be returned within two weeks so that all students can enjoy them. Thank you!

What's better than a Family Game Night? How about a Family MATH Game Night? Check out this list of recommended games that are sure to bring the family together for some friendly competition and skill practice:

• Shut the Box
• Tenzi
• Adsumundi
• Chroma Cube
• Linked
• Mastermind
• Proof!
• Logic Dots

All sign up links can all be found on the PTO website.

Winter Festival Help Needed
We have SNOW much FUN planned for this year's event on 12/6 9am-12pm! We’re looking for volunteers, donations, loaned items, and baked goods to make it super special. Every bit helps!

• Volunteers (for Day before & Day of)
• Donations
• Loan Items
• Baked Goods

Holiday Décor Fundraiser — Friday 11/28
JMF Landscaping is a Cole School Family and has generously offered to donate 10% of all sales the day after Thanksgiving to the PTO (store hours: 9am–7pm). Shop planters, garland, wreaths, and trees—and enjoy hot cocoa and photo ops!
Bonus: Mention Cole PTO when ordering seasoned firewood for another 10% back. Flyer attached.

Norwell Girls Youth Lacrosse

Lacrosse Registration for the 2026 season is upon us! See details below:

Registration link - Registration for the 2026 Norwell Lacrosse season

Registration will be open from October 15th through December 15th. The registration fee for players in grades 5th—8th is $350, and for players in grades 1st—4th, it is $260. The league also imposes a $50 late fee per player for registrations filed after December 15th. Please register soon to avoid any late penalties. Given league restrictions, we maintain a no-refunds policy.

Let's invest in the teachers and students that make Cole School shine! This November, the Norwell Education Foundation is launching a fall campaign to fund teacher-written grants that support creativity, opportunity, and excellence for every Norwell student. Your gift - of any size - makes an immediate difference in our classrooms. The NEF has recently funded multiple grants for Cole Elementary, including the Communication Sign on the playground, the Big Blue Blocks for creative play during recess, a first-grade phonics program, and learning tools to promote the behavioral and emotional regulation of students. The NEF is proud to be part of a community that believes in the power of education. Every dollar makes a difference, so please consider donating here during this Fall fundraising drive. Together we can inspire learning that lasts a lifetime!