WHS eNotes

Dear students and parents/guardians:

Things are in full swing here at Walpole High! Our classes are settling into the school year and diving into their curriculum, our athletic teams are getting through their first games and meets, and students are signing up for clubs and activities. There is a lot happening around WHS, and there are plenty of important announcements and updates in this week’s eNotes. Be sure to take a look so you don’t miss out!

As we begin the school year, we also pause today to remember September 11, 2001, and the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day. We remember the victims, honor the courage and sacrifice of the first responders and so many others, and keep in our thoughts all those whose lives were forever changed by the events of September 11.

Next week, we’ll start our first ‘Wednesday schedule.’ For parents and guardians new to the high school, this means that on Wednesdays, each class is slightly shorter, with formal classes ending at 1:34 p.m. (see schedule below). Buses will still pick up students at the usual time of 2:00 p.m. Students can use this time in several ways, such as:

• Seeking extra help from teachers to better understand challenging concepts.

• Making up missed assignments, tests, or quizzes from previous absences.

• Collaborating with peers for academic support or group projects.

• Getting a head start on homework before participating in games, practices, clubs, or jobs.

• Meeting with college representatives who visit the high school throughout the fall (see list of colleges below)

This Wednesday, however, there will be 'A.L.I.C.E. Training' for freshmen and students new to WHS (See below for more information)

Parents - Back-To-School-Night is this coming Thursday! See below for more details.

Students - The term ‘hazing’ means “any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person”. Here is a copy of the Massachusetts Anti-Hazing law (Chapter 269: Section 17 & 18) which every student should read. All club advisors and athletic coaches have been asked to attest that their members have received a copy of this law, and that every member understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section of the law.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

As part of the Safe Schools Initiative, we hold assemblies with students at all of the schools in grades K, 6th, and 9th to introduce them to Critical Incident Response, or commonly referred to as the A.L.I.C.E. Program (Alert-Lockdown-Inform-Counter-Evacuate). Over the past several years, in collaboration with the Walpole Public Schools, the Walpole Police Department has adopted this proactive, options-based plan for civilian response to Violent and Non Violent Critical Incidents. This year, the 9th grade students will be participating in this assembly on Wednesday, September 3rd at 1:15 PM.

A.L.I.C.E. authorizes and empowers individuals to utilize human action, building infrastructure, and communication options to help prepare them for potentially dangerous situations. Simply put, this protocol provides staff and students with choices in the event of a critical incident. These trainings help to introduce our students to the common terms used across the district, while using age appropriate resources to describe situations where A.L.I.C.E might be initiated. In addition to our training presentations, throughout the school year, staff and students will continue to participate in drills, specifically designed to be age appropriate for each individual school.

The late bus will be starting up Monday, September 14th. Pick up will be in front of the school at 4:00pm.

Walpole High School Athletics now has an App that will be a central location for rosters, events and communication. Students, families, friends and fans can now log in and get up to date information right from your phone. Students who sign up should use their school email to make it easier for everyone. The link is: https://links.snap.app/HSMAWALPOLEHIGHSCHOOL

You can use the QR Code to access it.

We are very excited about this announcement and hopefully it will be a much easier process for everyone.

If you have yet to pay your class dues or are new to Walpole High School, please do so by submitting a $160 check (Town of Walpole) or cash ($160) to the main office before the November 1st deadline. Many students paid their class dues at the end of last school year. If you are unsure of whether or not you still owe dues, please reach out to kbacon@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Medication Permission Reminder

1.) Please remember to check the medication permission box and sign the medication permission section on your student’s profile form that was sent home with your student on the first day of school.

The school nurse cannot legally administer medication without written parent/guardian permission and consent.

2.) If your student has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector or Inhaler please remember to provide the High School Health Office with their current MD order/Allergy Action Plan.

As a best practice, we encourage students to carry their own epinephrine or inhaler in their backpack/bag so it is readily available in case of an emergency. The MD order/Allergy Action Plan will be kept in the Health Office, and we will also have an extra stock supply of epinephrine available for emergency use.

Please check that your student’s medication is not expired!

We appreciate your partnership!

Attention class of 2027. Welcome to your graduation year! Please make sure that you're enrolled in the Yearbook Classroom page. This is where you will find announcements, important dates, and dropboxes for submissions. Classroom code: blxghwh

We also have an Instagram page. Follow us @walpole_yearbook

Senior Portraits are due October 9th. Please submit your portrait on the Yearbook Classroom page. If you have any questions email Ms. Gould at mgould@walpole.k12.ma.us

Students interested in helping organize this year’s Junior-Senior Prom are invited to attend the first Prom Committee meeting on Thursday, September 24th at 2:10 p.m. in Room 1146.

Come join us to help make this year’s prom an amazing night!

The 25th Annual Film Festival kick off meeting will be Thursday, September 17th immediately after school in room 2113.

If you are interested in working on a film crew this year or have an idea for a movie, you should attend. Additionally, students who want to work on the event staff should come for the beginning of the meeting.

We are looking for anyone interested in writing, acting, filming, editing, art direction, sound, and composing original music.

All pitches and movie ideas will be heard at this meeting.

Please see Mr. Connolly or Mr. Alan if you cannot attend.

Dance is back at Walpole High School! The Walpole High School Dance Club will begin practicing next week. If you were unable to attend the informational meeting last Wednesday and are interested in joining please email Mrs. Tempesta as soon as possible. atempesta@walpole.k12.ma.us

The Photography Club will meet next week after school on September 17th. The theme is flowers/plants. We had a great first meeting of the new school year with some new members and lots of returning members. If you would like to join the Photography Club there is no criteria to join the club. All you need is a phone or camera or anything you like to take pictures with. There is no photography experience necessary. All you need is to enjoy taking a picture. If you would like more information please contact Mrs. D'Agostino: jdagostino@walpole.k12.ma.us

The award-winning WHS Speech and Debate Team meets every Monday from 2:05-3 PM in 2124 in the English wing. Contact Mrs. Murray with any questions!

The following schools will be visiting Walpole High School on Wednesday, September 16th during the intervention block. Everyone is welcome!

Wheaton College

UMass Amherst

Endicott College

University of Connecticut

UMass Boston

UMass Dartmouth

Sacred Heart University

University of Vermont

Michigan State University

Johnson & Wales University

Westfield State University

Please click here for more information on the Music lesson program.

"Art Club is kicking off again this year EVERY Thursday from 2:10-3:10 with Mr. B in room 1141! The first day will be Thursday 9/10 and will be a chance to let your creative side run wild!
ALL artists are welcome and all ideas and styles are encouraged!
Hope to see you all there!"

Picture Day is coming on Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25th! Please note, pictures are being taken during English Class.

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVT7FR2QG. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!

Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online on mylifetouch.com

Attention Walpole community! WHS is holding a Career Day for students on the morning of October 9th. If you or someone you know would be interested in speaking to students about your career, please fill out Career Day Sign Up Form:

Please click this link to learn more about this new program for students at WHS. Students should see their school counselor for more information if they are interested.

The Athletic Department welcomes you to the 2026-2027 Athletic year. As always, we are excited about the upcoming year.

The Athletic Department is offering a student pass for $80 to be able to get into any regular season home game we have and also the first round of the home state tournament games we charge admission to. This pass will last all school year and is an easy way to get into our games. The link is: https://gofan.co/event/6884117?schoolId=MA14763

The Athletic website is located on the High School homepage. On this page, you will find forms, registration instructions, online payments, Twitter information, coaches' contact information, and an athletic calendar with the daily game schedules.

Registration is online at FamilyID.com. This is now called Arbiter. You can create a login when you visit the site.

The user fees are as follows:

$300.00 first sport

$300.00 second sport

$200.00 third sport

$325.00 Football

$400.00 Swim, Gymnastics

$450.00 Ice Hockey

$1,200.00 maximum cap per family

Checks are accepted and should be payable to TOWN OF WALPOLE. Please put on the Memo line of each check the following information:

1. Athlete's full name

2. Year of Graduation

3. Sport

All fees are due prior to distribution of uniforms. Once the fee has been paid, there will be no refunds. Additionally, all student obligations must be met prior to the start of tryouts. An email was sent to students and guardians in July. Please ensure that all items have been returned, or paid for, prior to the start of tryouts.

There is an Athletic Handbook found on the site as well. Please read it. I look forward to meeting you all, and seeing you at the games in the upcoming year cheering on the Walpole Timberwolves.

David St. Martin

Athletic Director

Walpole Timberwolves apparel check out the link below.

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/massachusetts/walpole/walpole-high-school

For a list of upcoming events please click on the following link: https://sites.google.com/a/walpole.k12.ma.us/athletics/

Email: dstmartin@walpole.k12.ma.us

Phone: 508-660-7257
Twitter: @WalpolehighADSM

Email: simbusch@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpolewhs.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 275 Common Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleHS