OPR Weekly Update
August 22, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
We can't wait to welcome everyone back for our first day of school, which is just around the corner. I hope you and your family had a wonderful and relaxing summer. We're eager to fill our classrooms with the sound of learning and get the new year started with a focus on excellence. The halls of OPR are ready and waiting to be filled with the excitement and passion for learning.
On the first day, our dedicated staff will be all around the school to greet students and help them find their way. To ensure a smooth and safe process for everyone, please follow the guidance of our staff members during car drop-off and pick-up. You'll find all the details on our arrival and dismissal procedures below.
If there's anything on your mind, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's make these last few days of summer count before grades 1-5 start on Wednesday and kindergarten begins on September 2nd.
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
Arrival: 8:50-9:00 AM
Tardy Bell is at 9:00 AM. (Students must be signed in at the office by an adult if tardy.)
Early Release Dismissal: 12:25 (Dismissal begins at 12:19)
Dismissal: 3:30 PM (Dismissal begins at 3:24 PM)
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.
Highlights for the Week Ahead
Wednesday is the first day of school for grades 1-5!
Thursday is Kindergarten Meet the Teacher from 9:45-10:30 and the Kindergarten PAC Popsicle Social from 2:30-3:00.
Friday is a no school day.
August
27 First Day of School for Grades 1-5
28 Kindergarten Meet the Teacher from 9:45-10:30 AM
28 Kindergarten PAC Popsicle Social on the Front Playground from 2:30-3:00, Weather Permitting
29 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Weekend
September
1 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
2 First Day of School for Kindergarten
4 PAC Ice Cream Social on the Back Playground for All Families from 5-6:00 PM
5 Student Picture Day
10 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.
12 New England Patriots Spirit Day! Wear Patriots clothing or colors to celebrate the season. (We couldn't do this last week due to Picture Day.)
18 OPR Curriculum Night 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.
19 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.
October
1 OPR School Council Meeting in the STEM Lab at 3:30
2 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM
10 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.
13 No School - Columbus Day
24 Student Picture Retake Day
For everyone’s safety, please pay attention to the staff at arrival and dismissal.
SCHOOL HOURS: 9:00-3:30
- Arrival for all students begins at 8:50 AM. Our doors will open at 8:50. Please do not drop off students before 8:50 as there is no supervision outside until 8:50.
- The tardy bell rings at 9:00. Students who are tardy must be signed in by an adult at the office
- Dismissal is at 3:30. Dismissal preparation begins at 3:24 PM
- Early Release Day dismissal is at 12:25. Dismissal preparation begins at 12:19 PM.
CARPOOLER ARRIVAL
When entering the driveway from Old Post Road, a left turn is illegal if you are coming from the direction of Rt.27. A sign is posted and the Walpole Police have asked for drivers to be reminded.
Before entering the OPR driveway, cars may form a line going down Old Post Road.
The Walpole police department has asked that cars do not wait on Emerson Road or on Massasoit.
Cars are not allowed, per posted sign, to take a left into the OPR driveway from Old Post Road.
If you are parking or walking on Emerson Road or other streets nearby at arrival and dismissal, please do not block driveways or go on our neighbors’ private property.
When dropping off and picking up, always pull as far forward as far as you can and do not pass a bus when the STOP sign is out and the lights are flashing.
When dropping off and picking up, please do not exit your car. Staff will be outside each morning to assist students if necessary, so there is no need for adults to exit the car.
If your child is unable to get out of the car at arrival without your assistance, park in a legal parking spot, assist your child, and walk your child to the sidewalk at the entrance. You may also want to dedicate time to teach your child how to buckle/unbuckle him/herself.
If your child is unable to get in the car at dismissal without your assistance, notify the office that you will park in a legal parking spot, and meet your child on the sidewalk outside the exit door. You may also want to dedicate time to teach your child how to buckle/unbuckle him/herself.
8:50-9:00 AM
Grade 3, 4, 5 Student Drop Off and younger siblings.
Gr. 3, 4, 5 students enter through the GYM door.
For younger siblings of grade 3, 4, 5, students continue around the loop to allow your child to enter through the FRONT door.
Grade K, 1, 2 Student Drop Off.
Students enter through the FRONT door.
CARPOOLER DISMISSAL
Similar to the morning, students should be entering the car from the school side and cars should stay in the traffic pattern and not pass other cars. Please remember to send in a note if your afternoon dismissal changes for any reason.
Dismissal begins at 3:24 PM (12:19 on Early Release Days)
Please proceed as far down the sidewalk as possible.
Students in grades 3, 4, 5 will be picked up outside the GYM door.
Students in K, 1, 2 will be picked up along the sidewalk by the main office/kindergarten.
Students in Grades 3, 4, 5 who have a sibling in K, 1, 2 will pick up their sibling at their classroom and be picked up in the K, 1, 2 pick up area.
Parents should post a sign with the student's last name in the passenger window. We will have a staff member who will read your name, and radio it to the office to call your child for dismissal. Please make your sign large and clear.
If you are picking up at the gym (gr. 3, 4, 5), drive the “big” loop of the parking lot so you will be near the gym door.
If you are picking up at the front sidewalk (gr. K, 1, 2 and siblings), stay to the left and follow the small loop. You do not need to go near the gym at the end of the parking lot.
Staff members will be directing traffic. Please stay behind the buses. Do not pass buses or vans with the “STOP” sign out. The buses will be loaded quickly.
BUS RIDER INFORMATION
Bus students will be unloaded from the bus at 8:50 AM or upon later arrival. Most bus students will enter through the FRONT DOOR. (BUS 13 and 14 will enter through the GYM door. Kindergarten students will be escorted from the bus to their classrooms until they learn the routine.)
Students are seated on the bus in grade level order with kindergarten in the front and grade five in the rear. Older students who would like to sit with their younger sibling will move forward to the lower grade. Sitting in the rear of the bus is a privilege for older students. Seat assignments are subject to change and are at the discretion of the driver and/or school staff.
Bus students will board the bus beginning at 3:30 (12:25 on Early Release Days).
WALKER INFORMATION
All K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 students should arrive at 8:55-9:00 and enter through the FRONT or GYM doors, whichever is closer.
Parents requesting “back door walker” dismissal out the gym rear door should put the request in writing to the principal.
Walkers will be walked in small groups to the end of the sidewalk at the front of the school by a staff member beginning at 3:24 PM. Parents should stand on the Old Post Road sidewalk to meet students. The staff member will make sure the students are matched with their adult. Until the staff know you, they may ask who adults are. Safety is our priority. The police department provides for and supervises the crossing guard(s) at the OPR driveway.
Bicycle Riders - Grades 4 and 5 Only
Students in grades 4 & 5 may ride bicycles unsupervised to school. Students in K-3 must have parent/guardian supervision.
No child is permitted to ride bicycles during snow or other inclement weather. All bikes must be placed in the rack with a lock and chain. The school system is not responsible for lost or stolen bicycles. Bicycle riding on the playground area is not permitted. State law requires that students wear helmets for safety.
All bicycle riders must conform to the automobile highway regulations as established by the Commonwealth. A list of these rules and regulations may be obtained at the Walpole Police Station. No skateboards, roller blades, or scooters are allowed.
If your child is interested, have him/her pick up a Bicycle License Application at the office to be submitted for approval.
OPR School Supply Lists
Interested in celebrating the start of the school year by purchasing school supplies? Click here to see the OPR Supply Lists by grade level. If you need assistance, please contact the Principal, School Counselors, or School Nurse for confidential support.
https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/opr-supply-list/home
Student Picture Day - Friday, September 5th
Picture Day for all students is on Friday, September 5th. The Walpole elementary schools and the Walpole Middle School have changed photography companies and will use Inter-State Studios.
OPR PAC MEETING
Wednesday, September 10th
6:30 PM Kindergarten Parent PAC Meeting
7:00 PM PAC Meeting
Held in the STEM Lab or connect virtually: https://meet.google.com/ifb-mntm-jhd?hs=224
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
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. https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/
Box Tops for Education
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.
Follow the OPR PAC on Social Media
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
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:
2024 Calendar Year Total - $1182.30
January 2025 - $210
February 2025 - $108.60
March 2025 - $128.40
April 2025 - $88.20
May 2025 - $192.00
June 2025 - $111.60
July 2025 - $174.60
OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
WPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK/CODE OF CONDUCT
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.
Registration is now open for the 52nd Annual Walpole Labor Day Road Race!
Don’t miss this wonderful Walpole tradition. Sign-up now for the 5K, 10K, or Youth Mile. All proceeds support the 200+ athletes in the Walpole High School Cross Country / Track & Field Program. Each race participant will receive a finisher’s medal. If you register before August 15th, you’ll also receive a free race t-shirt! Can’t join us live? No problem. We have virtual editions for both the 5K and 10K races. For additional information and to register online, please visit www.walpoleroadrace.org.
See you on Race Day - Monday, September 1st!
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
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
508-660-7219
