Cole Miners' Dig

On October 28, the strongest hurricane in Jamaica's history, Category 5 Melissa, made landfall and caused massive destruction to over 140,000 buildings on the island, leaving thousands of families homeless. Over the last two weeks, the third and fourth grade teams at Cole have been working hard to collect donations for Jamaica through One Love, One Village, a fundraiser organized to help bring meals to Jamaicans in need through World Central Kitchen. In exchange for the pledges or donations that the students collected, they learned about and participated in popular Jamaican school yard games and music today. As of today, the Cole community has raised $4,815! Congratulations to our community and the 3rd and 4th grade students who worked so hard to help the people of Jamaica in need. Many thanks to Ms. Fitzgerald for working to organize this fundraiser with her students, colleagues, and parents!

With the holiday season approaching, families may be considering electronic devices like smartphones and smartwatches as gifts. While we recognize this is a personal family decision, we want to remind you that we don't recommend these devices for elementary-aged students.

Research supports this recommendation. Studies have shown that early smartphone use in children is associated with increased anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption. Additionally, excessive screen time during the elementary years can interfere with critical developmental milestones, including face-to-face social skill development, attention span, and academic performance. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of limiting screen time and prioritizing activities like play, reading, and in-person interactions during these formative years.

Please also take a moment to review our school policy regarding smartphones and smartwatches before making any purchase decisions.

From the Student/Parent Handbook - Electronic Devices

Using personal electronic devices including smartphones and smartwatches is not permissible during the school day (including bus rides to and from school). If brought to school, all personal electronic devices including smartphones and smartwatches must be turned off and kept inside their backpack. The school will not be responsible in the event that the device is lost, stolen, or damaged while on school property.

Unauthorized student use of electronic devices during the school day will result in the device being confiscated. The device will be returned to the student and/or the parent after a conference with an administrator. In the event that a parent deems it necessary to contact their child during the school day, they may do so by contacting the main office directly.

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.

These Magnificent Meerkats were recognized this week for many excellent reasons. Here are a few of this week's nominations:

• He stands out as a Magnificent Meerkat through his quiet, respectful, and responsible leadership in class. He follows directions the first time they are given and is always ready to learn.
• She is a kind and thoughtful classmate. She comes in each day with a smile and a friendly hello to everyone and is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone whether it's lending a school supply, including someone in a game or just giving a compliment to someone. She is such a positive person to be around!
• She is always sharing her knowledge with the class. She participates in all classroom lessons. She comes to school prepared for the day.

December

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 (Thank you, PTO!)

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:

June 5 - Field Day

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

Hi Cole Families! Before Thanksgiving break, peer educators from Norwell High School visited our fourth and fifth graders to teach a lesson about growth mindset. Our Cole Connections groups also met to learn about thinking flexibly. This week, our NTSS small groups continued meeting to learn about sensory coping strategies, using language and affirmations, and the Zones of Regulation. Please reach out with any questions or concerns!

Hearing and vision screenings are just about wrapped up so notices will start going home in the next week via backpack mail. The notice will come home in a sealed envelope along with paperwork to bring to the pediatrician or provider.

As a reminder, please make sure hearing and vision screens are being done each year at your child’s well visit. The health screenings at school are an additional safety net to catch issues but are not the end all be all when it comes to these matters. If you have any concerns about hearing or vision problems in the meantime you may always go ahead and schedule your own appointment with a specialist. If a student has classroom accommodations that are needed, be sure to follow up with the school so that we can ensure a successful learning environment for them.

There are many cases of strep going around the school. Symptoms can include sore throat, fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. I wanted to bring this to parent’s attention that there might be further testing and treatment warranted if there is vomiting- sometimes it doesn’t even present with a sore throat. The incubation period for strep is 2-5 days after being exposed to streptococcus bacteria. Students may return to school after being treated with antibiotics for 24 hours.

Reminder for parents regarding Injuries. If a child has an injury that requires an orthopedic device such as crutches, cast, walking boot, splint, sling, etc., a note from the provider should accompany the child when returning to school. Such notifications should clearly detail all restrictions and identify the date when participation in PE/ recess may resume. Our fax number is 781-659-2850. Providers may fax to us directly. Written notification from a parent is required when it is necessary to excuse a child from physical education short term and the PE teacher should be notified as well.

This week we began a Striking Unit for all grades! Kindergarten through 2nd grade were using different implements (noodle, frisbee, lollipop paddle and bowling pin) to strike a balloon with control. Grades 3-5 were provided with a series of challenges using plastic paddle to strike a small wiffle ball while practicing their forehand, backhand and rallying skills.

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

Tickets:

• Entry is free, all are welcome!
• Purchase tickets for treats, games, crafts, and prizes

• Earn tickets by bringing a bag of food or grocery store gift card for our Food Pantry Collection

• Earn tickets by making holiday cards

Gaga “Snow”Ball:

• Be sure to sign up if you’d like to play

Volunteers Needed:

• We still need help with setup and running tables—every bit helps!

If tickets are a financial hardship, please contact the front office.

The National Honor Society will be hosting a FREE Drop 'n' Shop and Gift Wrapping event on Friday, December 5th from 4pm-7pm at the high school. Students in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to join us! Honor Society students will be running a range of activities in the school as well as showing a movie in the auditorium. We will be serving pizza and have water available. Please register HERE for the Drop N Shop event and register HERE for gift wrapping. Please contact Jenelle Leary at Jenelle.Leary@norwellschools.org with any questions.

This holiday season, show your appreciation for our amazing teachers and staff in the Norwell Public Schools by donating to the Norwell Education Foundation's "Good Tidings for Teachers" fundraiser. For a minimum donation of $25, the teacher or staff member of your choice will receive a beautiful poinsettia plant and a personalized note from you, a great opportunity to spread your good tidings for comfort and joy! Feel free to donate multiple times to support all of your favorite educators and staff (art teachers, school secretaries, the nurse!!!) while increasing your contribution to the enrichment of academic experiences at our Norwell schools. The fundraiser runs from December 1st to December 12th, so don't miss your opportunity to help the NEF fulfill its mission to provide educational activities and programs that encourage academic excellence to the students in all four Norwell public schools. Click here to get started: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/norwell-education-foundation/good-tidings-for-teachers