Cole Miners' Dig

It's been a great week of learning at Cole School! Students have enjoyed the warmer days we had this week, but the cold weather is back today. Please be sure to help your child remember to bring appropriate outdoor gear for recess each day. We try to get students outside for the 30 minute recess block whenever possible. It's the best thing for everyone to have that time outside in the fresh air, but it is more comfortable when the right gear is worn.

We are still seeing items being dropped off at school. Please know that we have plastic cups and water fountains that students can use during the day. They do not need to have a water bottle if it is forgotten at home. We can always work around forgotten backpacks, folders, sneakers, library books, instruments, lunches, snacks etc. As a reminder, every item dropped off to the office for one student is a disruption to the teaching and learning in that classroom for all students.

The NHS Peer Educators visited 4th and 5th grade classrooms on Monday to discuss the importance of a growth mindset and setting goals. Be sure to ask your child what they recall from that visit this week.

Students in all grade levels have started the winter Fastbridge screeners in reading, math, and social/emotional learning. Over the next few weeks, the screeners and the iReady diagnostics will be completed and data will be gathered. Parents will be notified of student progress in early February.

These playground rules are reviewed with the students at the beginning of each school year. Mid-year is a good time to revisit those rules since there have been a few questions about football.

1. There shall be no games which require physical contact (i.e.) football, tackling, climbing onto another child's back, etc.

2. Students shall not throw stones, snowballs, sticks, or hard balls.

3. Students are not to play near parked cars.

4. No one shall go beyond the boundaries of the school while school is in session.

5. During recess, students shall not return to the building until the bell rings or the recess teachers indicate.

6. Monkey bars are only allowed during school hours for students in second grade through fifth grade.

This week's Magnificent Meerkats were nominated by students and staff for consistently showing expected behaviors at Cole School. We are so proud of each of them for their efforts!

• He is consistently positive, hard-working, and responsible. He is always a kind friend and a considerate classmate.
• She consistently comes to class with a positive attitude, a smile, and a sense of humor that brightens our classroom.
• He saw a classmate sitting at the end of the table alone during lunch and invited him to come and sit with him. We very much appreciate him looking out for others and taking care of them as situations arise. When he sees a friend in need he is always quick to react, lend a hand, and make sure they are ok. He is a leader and role model in our class in his ability to take care of others and we look forward to seeing this continue!
• She is a positive, considerate friend and classmate. She is always giving her best effort, showing expected behaviors and demonstrating a growth mindset!

January

January 19 - No School

January 28 - Early Release - All Students Dismissed at 12:20pm

January 28 - Kindergarten Field Trip (Thank you, PTO!)

February

February 2 - School Counselor Appreciation Day

February 3 - PTO BINGO Night 6:30-7:30 pm

February 4 - PTO Meeting 7:00pm

February 5 - 100th Day of School (tentative)

February 6 - School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day

February 6 - 4th Grade Geography Enrichment Program (Thank you, PTO!)

February 9 - 3rd Grade Mad Science Enrichment Program (Thank you, PTO!)

February 9 - 5th Grade Field Trip (Thank you, PTO!)

February 11 - School Council Meeting 3:30pm

February 13 - School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

February 13 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

February 16 - 20 - February Vacation Week

February 23 - Community Meeting - Grade 3 Hosting - Parents welcome to attend!

February 26 - Incoming Kindergarten Orientation and Information Session 5:00-6:00pm

Looking Ahead:

June 5 - Field Day

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

Hi Cole Families! Students have been working super hard this week as they complete their Fastbridge screeners in ELA, math, and social emotional learning. These screeners will continue into next week. Enjoy the long weekend!

As a point of information, there continue to be cases of Flu A, strep, and Covid in the community. There are 3 in 1 test kits that are available at some pharmacies that test for Flu A/B and Covid. If your child does test positive for the flu, strep, or has norovirus like symptoms please let the school know so we can look for patterns in the classroom.

If your child is diagnosed with strep, they must have 24 hours of antibiotics on board to be able to return. The most recent covid protocol states they should be fever free without any fever-reducing medication and symptoms need to be improved. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent severe influenza and the serious complications that can result from it. The flu season typically goes through March. It is not too late to get your child vaccinated.

Mass DPH has shared this Norovirus Fact Sheet. If your child has diarrhea or vomiting, we ask that they are home for 24hrs after the last time it occurred. With Norovirus, it can often take a few days to be symptom free and feel well enough to return. Our teachers do a great job reminding and encouraging handwashing, please do the same at home. Our custodians are aware and have been doing extra cleaning in bathrooms and other high contact surface areas.

Please see below for some fun community events brought to you by the Cole School PTO!

2/3 @ 6:30pm - Bingo Night

Bing Night is fun (and FREE) for the whole family. Teachers call out the numbers and kids get the prizes. We are pairing this event with a Papa Gino's/d'angelos take out fundraiser - a great opportunity to grab some dinner and join us at the Cole School cafeteria. Sign ups coming soon.

2/6 @ 4pm - Exercise Event

SAVE THE DATE - 2/6 @ 4pm - Jenn's throwing us a Bounce event!

Space is limited (Max. participants are 15), so keep an eye out for the sign up coming soon. Cost (TBD).

3/25 - The Variety Show!!

The Cole School Variety Show is an opportunity for students to showcase their interests or talents on stage in front of their friends, family and peers! A few examples of acts include (but not limited to) music, dance, comedy, magic. Acts may be performed individually, in duos, trios or large groups. BE CREATIVE!!

Sign ups are DUE JANUARY 30th

Sign up form is available on coleptonews.com under "events"

Norwell Girls Youth Lacrosse

It’s not too late to sign up for spring lacrosse. Registration for the 2026 season is still open! See details below:

The registration fee for players in grades 5th—8th is $350, and for players in grades 1st—4th, it is $260. Please register soon to avoid any late penalties. Given league restrictions, we maintain a no-refunds policy.