

Cole Miners' Dig
March 21, 2025
Principal's Notes
We had a wonderful week of learning at Cole School! Second grade classes enjoyed some hands on learning with High Tech High Touch's Smart Plants presentation. Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring that enrichment for our students! This week, all K-5 students were introduced to the topic of neurodiversity in class and during an assembly by Katy Boucher from The Accord School.
During an engaging assembly for grades K-2 and 3-5, students discovered how everyone thinks, plays, and learns differently. They learned about Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, and heard firsthand experiences about the joys and challenges of neurodivergence from middle schoolers through compelling videos. Students discussed the importance of fairness and empathy. Parents can continue the conversation at home with a simple, helpful online guide.
Report cards will be available this afternoon in Aspen. Please take a moment to review your child's report card, celebrate their growth, and set goals with them for the third trimester.
Attendance letters will be in the backpacks of all students that have six or more absences, tardies, or dismissals this trimester. While we can "excuse" absences for medical appointments with notes from the medical office, all absences must reported in student data collection to the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education. So, while it is helpful for us to know about medical absences and to mark them as such, they are still reported to DESE.
Magnificent Meerkats
Counselor's Corner
This week, students in all grades heard an inspirational talk by Katy Boucher about neurodiversity, with the take-away messages that we are all smart in different ways, and we all deserve kindness and friendship. My lessons will resume next week- we'll continue talking about responsibility in grades 1, 3, and 5, and we'll cover personal safety in grades K, 2, and 4. I'll read and discuss an abridged version of "I Said No" to grades K & 2, and "The Kid Trapper" with grade 4.
Specialists' Scoop
Physical Education
Third grade students began a five week fitness and nutrition program called Let’s Move. The goals of the program are to encourage physical activity and healthy eating choices at dinner. As a reward for their hard work, of exercising for a minimum of 3 days a week for 30 minutes and completing a descriptive MyPlate, third graders will go on a fitness field trip that includes a hike through Norris Reservation, a picnic lunch and play time at Gaffield Park.
All grades enjoyed playing games of soccer this week. The focus was sportsmanship during and after the games.
Library
A special edition of our Norwell Schools Library Link is available. NPS libraries circulate thousands of books and top the charts of database use, according to the Massachusetts Library System. See headlines below:
Upcoming Dates and Events
March
March 24 - Community Meeting 2:30pm - Grade 1 Hosting - Parents invited to join us!
March 25 - Parent/Teacher Conference Sign Ups Sent Out to Families
March 26 - Elementary Early Release 12:20pm Dismissal for all students
March 27 - District Chorus Concert at NHS 7pm
March 31 - PTO Sponsored Performance by artist Rob Surrette, 9:15 for K-2 and 1:30 for grades 3-5, parents invited to join us!
April
April 1 - NMS performs Frozen Jr. for Cole School
April 2 - Grade 5 Field Trip - 2 classes (Thank you, PTO!)
April 4 - Parent Input for Placement for 2025-2026 school year - Google Form sent out
April 7 - MCAS Grade 4 ELA 1
April 7 - Grade 2 Field Trip - 2 classes (Thank you, PTO!)
April 7 - Connections Meeting, reading Papa’s Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming
April 8 - MCAS Grade 4 ELA 2
April 9 - MCAS Grade 3 ELA 1
April 9 - Grade 2 Field Trip - 2 classes (Thank you, PTO!)
April 9 - Grade 5 Field Trip - 2 classes (Thank you, PTO!)
April 10 - Early Release - Parent Conferences
April 11 - MCAS Grade 3 ELA 2
April 14 - MCAS Grade 5 ELA 1
April 14 - Grade 4 Enrichment (Thank you, PTO!)
April 15 - MCAS Grade 5 ELA 2
April 16 - School Council Meeting 3:30pm
April 18 - No School
April 21-25 - April Vacation Week
April 28 - Grade 3 Field Trip - 2 classes (Thank you, PTO!)
April 28 - Community Meeting - Grade 5 Hosting - Parents Invited to join us!
April 29 - Grade 3 Field Trip - 2 classes (Thank you, PTO!)
April 30 - PTO Meeting 2pm - Mr. Keegan shares budget information
May
May 2 - PTO Stay and Play
May 5-May 9 - Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
May 5 - Town Meeting
May 5 - MCAS Grade 4 Math 1
May 5 - North and South River Watershed Enrichment for Grade 5
May 5 - Connections Meeting, reading Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
May 6 - MCAS Grade 4 Math 2
May 7 - Elementary Early Release 12:20pm dismissal for all students
May 7 - Grade 3 American Revolution Presentations in Cafeteria
May 7 - PTO Variety Show Rehearsal 12:20-3pm
May 8 - MCAS Grade 3 Math 1
May 9 - MCAS Grade 3 Math 2
May 12 - Grade 4 High Tech High Touch Enrichment (Thank you, PTO!)
May 12 - Puppet Storyteller to Kindergarten (Thank you, PTO!)
May 12 - Community Meeting 2:30pm Kindergarten Students Hosting - Parents welcome to attend!
May 14 - MCAS Grade 5 Math 1
May 14 - School Council Meeting 3:30 pm
May 15 - MCAS Grade 5 Math 2
May 15 - Grade 4 Fitness Field Trip (Thank you, Mr. Thornton and PTO!)
May 17 - Town of Norwell - Voting Day
May 16 - Early Release - 12:20pm dismissal for all students
May 16 - PTO Variety Show Rehearsal 12:20-3pm
May 19 - MCAS Grade 5 Science 1
May 20 - MCAS Grade 5 Science 2
May 21 - Grade 5 Fitness Field Trip (Thank you, Mr. Thornton and PTO!)
May 22 - PTO Variety Show at Cole School
May 23 - Grade 3 Fitness Field Trip in morning (Thank you, Mr. Thornton and PTO!)
May 23 - Grade 2 Fitness Field Trip in afternoon (Thank you, Mr. Thornton and PTO!)
May 26 - No School - Memorial Day
May 28 - Art Show
June
June 2 - Grade 1 Field Trip (Thank you, PTO!)
June 2 - Kindergarten Field Trip (Thank you, PTO!)
June 2 - Connections Meeting
June 3 - Kindergarten Habitat Day (2 classes)
June 4 - Kindergarten Habitat Day (2 classes)
June 5 - Grade 2 Field Trip (Thank you, PTO!)
June 6 - Field Day - Fingerprint and CORI required for all volunteers
June 9 - Screening for all incoming kindergarten students in the library
June 9 - Delilah the Whale Kindergarten enrichment (Thank you, PTO!)
June 9 - Grade 5 Band Concert
June 12 - Fifth Grade Celebration 6-8 pm - Grade 5 parents and grade 5 students ONLY
June 13 - PTO Stay and Play
June 16 - Grade 5 Move Up Day to NMS
June 17 - Move Up Day for Grades K-4
June 17 - Last Day of School
Cole School PTO News
At the next PTO meeting on Wednesday, April 2 from 6- 8PM at the Norwell Public Library we will invite Superintendent Keegan to present his proposed 2026 school budget that includes information on the proposed override. This will be open to the entire Norwell community, so mark your calendars and invite your friends to learn more on the override.
VARIETY SHOW IS BACK!
Thursday, 5/22 @ Cole School!
Sign Up Form Due Friday, 4/4/25:
https://forms.gle/nb4ErQ1SQfiWnXw77
Volunteer & Donations:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B45A8AE2FAB9-55632848-2025#/
Coming home to you soon is your child's custom catalog for the Square 1 Art fundraiser catalog - featuring their own name and art on the cover, WITH FREE STICKERS OF THEIR ART! Once brochures come home, families can shop online!! Deadline for placing orders is April 4, 2025.