OPR Weekly Update
September 6, 2024
Dear OPR Families,
Earlier this week, we welcomed our kindergarten students to their very first day of elementary school! It was a day filled with excitement and curiosity as our newest learners began their educational journey. We are so proud of how quickly they are settling into their new classrooms and are showing enthusiasm for their learning. I’m pleased to share that students across all grades have acclimated to their classrooms. The energy in the school has been fantastic.
We also had a wonderful turnout at our Ice Cream Social, where many families came together to enjoy sweet treats and good company. It was a fantastic opportunity for new and returning families to connect, share stories, and build community bonds. Events like these are a reminder of the supportive and vibrant community we are so fortunate to have.
Looking ahead, next week marks the first PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) meeting of the year. Our PAC is incredibly active and plays a crucial role in fostering a strong, connected school community. We encourage all parents to get involved and bring your ideas to the table—your participation helps make our school an even better place for our children to learn and grow.
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
September
11 PAC Meeting in the OPR STEM Lab at 7:00 PM (Wednesday Evening)
The PAC will hold a 6:30-7:00 PM meeting for kindergarten parents. This is an opportunity for kindergarten parents to meet each other and learn about PAC activities before attending the 7:00 general meeting.
13 New England Patriots Spirit Day! Wear Patriots clothing or colors to celebrate the start of the regular season/first home game.
17 OPR After School Enrichment Program Registration opens at 9:00 AM
20 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
26 OPR Curriculum Night/Open House for Parents and Guardians; 6-6:30 PM Last Names beginning with A-L; 6:45-7:15 PM Last Names beginning with M-Z. This is an evening for parents and guardians (no students) to meet the teachers to learn more about the curriculum and expectations.
30 OPR After School Enrichment Program begins this week!
Arrival: 8:15-8:25 AM
Tardy Bell is at 8:25 AM. (Students must be signed in at the office by an adult if tardy.)
Early Release Dismissal: 11:55 (Dismissal begins at 11:49)
Dismissal: 2:55 PM (Dismissal begins at 2:49)
If your child is going to be absent or tardy, please call the OPR office before school (508-660-7219) and press 1 for the absence line. The automated attendance verification system is in use. Those students marked absent and who have not called in will receive an automated phone call.
OPR Curriculum Night / Open House - 9/26/24
We are looking forward to welcoming parents and guardians to Old Post Road School's Curriculum Night / Open House on Thursday, September 26th. Teachers will be sharing curriculum expectations along with information specific to the classroom. Parents and guardians will also have time to ask general questions. Any questions specific to a child should be reserved for a more confidential setting.
In addition to seeing your child's classroom teacher, please stop by to see our specialists in their spaces to learn more about their curriculum. Our specialists include the Art Teacher, Music Teacher, PE Teacher, STEM/Media Teacher, School Counselors, Literacy Specialists, Multilingual Language Teacher, Digital Learning Coach, Math Specialist, and Special Education Teachers such as MSNs and Speech/Language.
The Curriculum Night / Open House at all of the Walpole Elementary Schools are for Parents and Guardians only. Students, other family members, and guests should not attend. Thank you for your understanding.
Schedule:
6:00-6:30 Families with Last Name Beginning with A-L*
6:45-7:15 Families with Last Name Beginning with M-Z*
*If you have more than one child, email the teacher for an exception to the assigned times.
OPR Solar Project
As you visited or arrived at OPR, you may have noticed some work being done on our roof. Solar Panels are being installed as part of our district's efforts to become more "green". We look forward to sharing more with you and our students as the project comes to completion in the next few weeks.
OPR School Council - Volunteer Needed!
The OPR School Council is an advisory group that plays an important role in many aspects of the school. It is required by law that all schools have a School Council. According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE), the main areas of responsibility for School Councils are as follows:
“The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for Councils. School Councils are to assist principals in:
Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
Reviewing the annual school building budget
Formulating a school improvement plan”
We are still in need of one community member to join the Council. A community member is a Walpole resident who is not an OPR parent or guardian. Meetings are typically at 3:05-4:00 approximately five times during the year. Meetings are held in person. If you are interested or have questions, please contact me.
For more information on School Councils, visit the DESE link below:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/schoolcouncils/default.html
School Nutrition Update
Welcome back students and families! We are excited to update you with the news that Massachusetts students will receive FREE school meals again in School Year 2024-2025!
Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is very important for families who feel they may qualify to still complete the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2024-2025 school year. We strongly encourage ALL families who feel they may qualify to submit this form as it allows us to waive bus fees and other applicable fees for those who qualify and serve families most effectively. Completing this form also helps our district to receive more federal funding to keep our Nutrition Program strong.
- Complete the application here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
If you are interested, please consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. More SNAP information can be found at gettingsnap.org or by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.
It is our privilege to provide breakfast and lunch to your children, supporting them with nourishing and healthy meals to power through the school day! We can’t wait to see them in the coming weeks. Please reach out with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Healthy Regards,
Maria Hall, Walpole School Nutrition Director
News from the Nurse
If your child requires daily or emergency medication, please obtain new school medication orders for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kowalsky.
Mrs. Kowalsky
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
phone: 508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
Here is a link to the WPS Health Services website. On this site you can find links to forms (i.e. medication administration, over the counter medication consent forms), medication policies, and information regarding illnesses, concussions and injuries.
Art with Ms. Kroll
Welcome back to another wonderful year of Visual Arts at OPR! We kicked off the school year with establishing routines and discussing what it means to be a ready artist. Students have been excited and engaged in the art lessons we have been working on using a variety of art mediums.
Grade K: Students have been designing and decorating their new portfolios which will store their artwork for the whole school year. Each artist got to choose from a variety of coloring tools including markers, crayons, and colored pencils.
Grade 1: Students have been working on personalizing their portfolios using many dry coloring tools. Our first art project this school year is inspired by our featured read aloud, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. Each first grade artist will create their own collage “dot” using construction and scrapbooking papers.
Grade 2: Students have been exploring line, color, and pattern with their Coffee Filter Tie-Dye art projects. Each student created a design with markers and then added water using a spray bottle. It was so fun to watch how excited students got when the colors would blend and mix on their own!
Grade 3: Students began the year with a wonderfully expressive and colorful art lesson called Oil Pastel Tie-Dye. Each student was amazed at how an old eraser could transform a simple oil pastel pattern drawing into a tie-dye masterpiece. Many students made more than one artwork because they were so engaged in the lesson.
Grade 4: Fourth grade artists finally received their much awaited sketchbooks and eagerly designed the covers to make them personalized. Our first major masterpiece of the school year will be a combination of printmaking and watercolor featuring still lifes of flowers. Students will learn art specific vocabulary connected to printmaking.
Grade 5: Students have been designing their portfolios using a variety of drawing mediums. Our first major masterpiece of the school year will be Illuminated Initials which feature the first letter of fifth grade artists’ names along with intricately detailed lines, shapes, and patterns. Each student will be encouraged to personalize their artworks by picking a theme that resonates with them.
Reading with Mrs. Driscoll & Mrs. Segal, Literacy Specialists
This year we are excited to be diving into our new ELA curriculum, HMH Into Reading. In this program students will be reading engaging and authentic texts to build their knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Reading, writing, listening,and speaking activities are all integrated into the program. There are also many opportunities for diversified instruction so that all learners’ needs are met and students continue to grow their literacy skills and enthusiasm for reading and writing. Grades K-2 will continue to use the Fundations and Heggerty programs to build their foundational skills in conjunction with Into Reading. In the next few weeks, be sure to engage your child in discussions about what they are reading, writing, and learning in class. We are eager to begin this new journey with your children and look forward to the growth they will all make.
mabel's labels
https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/
Starting to lose those water bottles? Put a label on it! Please navigate to Support a Fundraiser and select Old Post Road Parent Advisory Committee.
Box Tops
Download the App for BoxTops for Education and scan receipt within 14 days of purchase. Assign Credit by selecting the Star and entering the Teacher’s Last name before you hit submit.
PAC Socal Media / Contact Info.
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPR.PAC
please add: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/oprpacwalpole
Email with questions: oprpacwalpole@gmail.com
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
OPR Textile Bin Donations
Massachusetts no longer allows clothing to be disposed of in the trash. Clothing must be donated or recycled. RECYCLE your clothing and textiles in the OPR Collection Bin and OPR receives money.
The collections resulted in the following:
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
January 2023 - $102.00
February 2023 - $83.25
March 2023 - $95.50
April 2023 - $93.00
May 2023 - $88.20
June 2023 - $126.90
July 2023 - $100.20
August 2023 - $92.40
September 2023 - $118.80
October 2023 - $90.60
November 2023 - $113.70
December 2023 - $81.30
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
January 2024 - $85.80
February 2024 - $104.10
March 2024 - $71.70
April 2024 - $83.70
May 2024 - $114.90
June 2024 - $100.50
July 2024 - $100.20
August 2024 - $115.80
Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department
The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the fall session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.
Session 1 will run September 23 to January 31. Registration is open until Monday, September 16th.
For more information and to register, visit:
https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview
For questions, email:
Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us
Multilingual Learner PAC (MLPAC) Meeting
Please contact the Multilingual Learner Family Engagement Center at mlfec@walpole.k12.ma.us or at (508) 660-7257 ext. 5033 for further information or to request an interpreter or child care for the event.
WPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) MEETING
Please note the following contact information for Walpole’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Co-Chairs are Sue Pace and Deborah Mulroy. The SEPAC can be reached by email at walpolesepac@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/walpolespedpac. Notices of future events can be found in this Weekly Update as they are scheduled.
About Us
OPR Mission Statement
The Old Post Road School community educates all students to excel and become productive citizens.
OPR Vision
OPR students will be motivated to learn in a supportive and safe environment. The faculty will foster self-confidence in the students and encourage them to make positive choices. Students will learn to accept responsibility for their behavior and will mature into responsible citizens and lifelong learners. All students will appreciate that they are part of a diverse, global society.
Instagram: OLDPOSTROADSCHOOL_WALPOLE
Twitter: @oprschool
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
508-660-7219
