Cole Miners' Dig

Happy First Day of Spring! We celebrated the beauty of all kinds of brains this week for Neurodiversity Week. Many thanks to the special education and related services (speech/language, OT, PT) teachers for organizing the daily announcements, read aloud stories and resources for classroom use, and the bulletin boards.

The Norwell Schools FY'27 budget presentation is available on the district website and here. It is critically important that the school community is aware of the school budget before Town Meeting on Monday, May 4th at 6:30pm at Norwell Middle School and the Norwell election day on Saturday, May 16th from 8am to 6pm at Norwell Middle School. Superintendent Matthew Keegan will also present the budget information during the April PTO meeting.

Spring Clean Out? We'll take any playground balls, basketballs, soccer balls, tennis balls, etc that you have laying around. Feel free to drop them off in the main office and we'll get them right out to recess with the kids.

The Hatch Pond observation deck and the Nature Trail behind Cole School are closed until further notice due to recent damage from the last storm and safety concerns about dead trees and dangling branches. A lock has been placed on the gate to restrict access to this area.

Thank you to the seven parents that offered to help on the interviewing committee for the new Assistant Principal. I greatly appreciate the number of people willing to volunteer their time for this committee. To be fair, I picked out of a hat to select Mrs. Bruno and Mrs. Cahoon to serve on the committee.

The Conference Sign Up letter will be emailed home on Friday, March 27th. Conferences will be held during the week of April 6th.

Showing perseverance and effort with challenging concepts seemed to be the running theme of this week's nominations for Magnificent Meerkats. It is a busy time of learning and growing at Cole School, and these students are shining brightly with their positive approach to learning new things. Way to go, Magnificent Meerkats!

Student Government met on Tuesday to continue their work on improving our school community. Representatives reviewed new ideas and suggestions from their classmates and worked together to finalize their posters. Students focused on creating messages that reinforce our school expectations in a positive way. These additional posters are now displayed throughout the hallways, serving as helpful reminders for students across the school. We’re proud of our student leaders for their teamwork and continued effort!

Hi, my name is Whitney and I am in fifth grade at Cole, but I am also one of our school's bus ambassadors here to give you some news. This article will give you important information about how your student or their peers are acting on the bus. If your student is having any questions or if something is bothering them on their bus then tell them these expected behaviors and see if their problem will improve or if it doesn’t, have your student address it to the school. I have interviewed students on each bus to get my information below.

• On most of the buses at our school our bus drivers struggle with the volume, not being kind, switching seats, standing up, and not having expected behaviors which would lead to getting kicked off of the bus or having to have assigned seats. So if your student is having these problems please have them address their problem either to their bus driver or if it’s a bigger problem please, address it to the school.

• If your student is experiencing bullying or is in an inappropriate situation, tell someone at the school immediately so we can help your student or their peers if needed.

• On some of our buses some of these things are not a problem, which is amazing for those buses. The buses that do not have these problems have more privileges such as music and being able to sit in different seats everyday.

In conclusion, I hope that your child isn’t having any problems in school or on their specific bus. Thank you and have a Great Weekend!

Hi Cole Families,

I am so happy to be back at Cole following a lovely maternity leave! The kids and teachers have truly been so kind and welcoming, which helped me make the transition back. I am also very grateful for having had such a great substitute in Anna Mullen. Families of students who will be in spring social-emotional groups will get an email from me with their students' schedule. Please reach out if there is anything you'd like to update me on that I missed while I was away!

With the arrival of spring comes blooming flowers, warmer weather—and for many students, seasonal allergies. Symptoms such as sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, runny noses, and congestion with allergies are often hard for kiddos to differentiate from an illness.

If your child experiences seasonal allergies, a few simple steps can help:

• Keep windows closed during high pollen days

• Encourage handwashing and changing clothes after outdoor play

• Consider showering in the evening to remove pollen from hair and skin

Daily allergy medications (like antihistamines, inhalers, or fluticasone propionate nasal spray- e.g Flonose) are often most effective when taken consistently. If you’re unsure what’s best for your child, your pediatrician can help guide you. We do not stock allergy medications that are non-drowsy medications in the health office, so if your child needs allergy medications please ensure it's given at home. The health office carries Benadryl to be used for allergy action plans, hives etc. Benadryl is not a preferred medication for seasonal allergy due to the negative side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, and “medication hangover” with the long half life.

As always, please reach out to the health office with any questions or updates about your child’s allergy needs. We’re here to help your child stay comfortable, focused, and ready to learn this spring!

🤧Flu B reminder

Another thing I want to mention is that we are seeing more cases of flu B at this point, which typically tends to circulate later in the season. It is entirely possible to get sick with both Flu A and B in the same season.

Many people are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms at first - nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (especially in children) before developing the classic flu symptoms of aches and fever, with cough and shortness of breath, and nasal congestion coming later. Fortunately, many pharmacies are carrying 3-in-1 home tests, which can help identify the flu if it hits your household.

Before returning to school, please make sure your child's symptoms are improving and that they are fever-free for >24 hours without the use of medications. It is not uncommon for symptoms to go on for 3-7 days and for fatigue to last a week or two. Be on the lookout for secondary complications such as ear infections/ sinus infections/ pneumonia, etc.

We completed our Basketball Unit this week. Kindergarteners and first graders practiced their push shot. Second and third graders had fun dribbling, shooting, and adding. Yes, adding their scores in a game of Hot Shots. With passing, teamwork and encouragement, fourth and fifth graders played half court 3 vs. 3 and 4 vs. 4 games of basketball.

March

March 25 - Elementary Early Release - all students dismissed at 12:20pm

March 27 - Report Cards Available in Aspen

March 30 - Crocodile River Dancers at Cole School for Grades 1-3

April

April 1 - 2 classes of Grade 5 Field Trip (Thank you, PTO!)

April 2 - Parent Input for Placement Form sent out via email

April 3 - No School - Holiday

Week of April 6 - PTO Book Fair with Buttonwood Books

April 6 - Assistant Principal Appreciation Day

April 6 - Gr. 3 Field Trip (Thank you, PTO!)

April 6 - Gr. 4 High Tech High Touch Enrichment Program (Thank you, PTO!)

April 7 - MCAS Grade 4 ELA Session 1

April 7 - Schwa Day (organized by students)

April 8 - 2 classes of Grade 5 Field Trip (Thank you, PTO!)

April 8 - Ms. O'Malleys Grade 3 Class to Council on Aging

April 8 - MCAS Grade 4 ELA Session 2

April 8 - School Council Meeting 3:30pm

April 9 - Early Release for Parent Conferences

April 10 - MCAS Grade 3 ELA Session 1

April 13 - MCAS Grade 3 ELA Session 2

April 14 - MCAS Grade 5 ELA Session 1

April 15 - MCAS Grade 5 ELA Session 2

April 15 - School Secretary Appreciation Day

Looking Ahead:

May 27 - Art Show 5-7pm

June 5 - Field Day

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

June 22 - Last Day of School - Early Release (tentative)

1. 5th Grade Celebration - Volunteers Needed!

The 5th Grade Celebration is one of Cole School’s most cherished traditions—a special send-off to celebrate our students as they prepare for the next chapter. This year’s event will take place on the Thursday before the final week of school, and we’re looking for volunteers to help make it truly memorable.

Parents of students in grades 4 and below are especially encouraged to get involved. It’s a great way to learn the ropes while supporting our 5th graders and their families during this meaningful milestone. Volunteers will work alongside experienced leaders to plan and bring the celebration to life.

We also invite anyone interested to consider stepping into a chair role in the future—this is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a tradition that means so much to our school community.

Sign up to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B45A8AE2FAB9-63055279-cole#/

2. The Variety Show is next week on 3/25!

We were able to open more seats and tickets are still available for both shows.

Get tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/variety-show--2025

Send performers love here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/cole-variety-show-shop

3. NHS Bringing Back "Egg My Yard"

Looking to take some of the work and stress out of Easter? This is a super fun fundraiser that NHS PTO puts on where the highschool students hide pre-filled eggs in your yard. They get so into it and are so sweet about it! Plus, one less thing to do for parents of littles.

Order by 3/30: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-l645vEme0f6QNf6SsoWi318mRscpNGlc1mNJJdVbKBIZ7A/viewform