WHS eNotes
August 13, 2026
Message from Mr. Imbusch
Dear students and parents/guardians:
Greetings from Walpole High School. I hope you are having a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the start of the new school year. School opens for all WHS students on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. There will be an adjusted schedule the first two days (see attached). Important material, including final class schedules will be distributed in homerooms. The revised Student Parent Handbook will be added to our website and all students will receive important revisions in their homeroom. The Handbook contains essential information regarding school policies and expectations, and should be read carefully. You will also be given a letter that must be signed by both student and parent indicating that you have read the contents of the WHS Student Handbook. Signed acknowledgement letters are to be returned to the main office by Friday, September 11, 2026.
All Freshmen are invited to attend a Freshman Orientation to be held on Tuesday, September 1, 8:30AM – 11:00AM. (See Schedule attached). Students must bring their WPS issued Chromebook and charger. Students will receive their new Chromebook and charger during orientation. We will meet in the Auditorium. Students will follow their schedule and meet their homeroom teacher, all eight of their subject teachers, and their school counselor. The Orientation will end with an Activity Fair. Snacks will be provided. A 9th grade supply list is also attached below. We look forward to meeting the Class of 2030!
Walpole Public Schools offers optional Chromebook Insurance for families of students in grades 6-12. This insurance ($30 for 9/1/26-9/1/27) will cover accidental damage to the devices.
Insurance details (and sample costs for uninsured repairs) are on the 1:1 Website Insurance and Repair Info page.
Payments are available online via MySchoolBucks.
Newly enrolled students will need to complete the Loan Agreement Form regardless of whether they want the insurance or not.
Every Friday, I post my eNotes. This is a newsletter designed to keep students and parents up-to-date with what’s happening at WHS. If you haven't already, please download the app! Catch up with the latest student stories, events, and news updates. It's everything Walpole Public Schools, in your pocket. You can also follow us on X @WalpoleHS, or on Instagram @walpolehighschool.
Also attached below are Opening of School documents including: a school year calendar, Opening days bell schedules, Regular bell schedules (Incl. Wednesday Schedule), and homeroom assignments. Information regarding the Private Lesson Program will be sent out at a later date, and information regarding Athletic Participation/Users Fees can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
The 2026-2027 school year promises to be a busy and exciting one. We look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and to welcoming you back. On behalf of our faculty and staff, please accept my very best wishes for a successful and rewarding school year.
Sincerely,
Stephen Imbusch
Principal
Attachments:
Student Schedules
Student Schedules for the 2026-2027 school year will be available by the end of the week on X2 Aspen. If you have trouble accessing your Aspen account, please contact the Main Office at 508.660.7257.
Please note that we are continuing to work on building study halls, and there are still some staffing changes that are happening. You may see changes to your schedule throughout the upcoming weeks prior to the start of school, however your courses will remain the same.
All students should have a full schedule. To review your full year schedule, you must select FY in the drop down to view your full schedule. If you see a blank period or have Study and Seminar in the same semester, you must complete the 2026 WHS Schedule Adjust Request Form. In this case, you will have already been contacted by Mrs. Dolan to schedule an appointment with your school counselor. Only these students will be eligible for an appointment at this time.
Schedule changes will be limited for the 2026 -2027 school year as counselors have worked very hard to maintain balanced class sections. As you know, the master schedule is built based on the requests of students and changes to these requests at a later date are not always possible. It is essential that you review both your Semester 1 and Semester 2 schedule as there will not be a drop/add period during the school year. All requests for changes must take place prior to the start of school.
It is important to know that not all requests will be granted this school year, as a perceived simple change can have a major ripple effect. Per administrative policy, no requests for specific teachers will be reviewed. Also, please see the note below regarding studyhalls.
If students find that their schedule is not complete or would like to request a change, please complete this form by Monday, August 24th at 11:59pm, using the 2026 WHS Schedule Adjust Request Form. Requests submitted after this date may not be reviewed for approval. You can view the entire Master Schedule below by Department or by Period for your convenience.
Please do NOT call for an appointment, students who require an appointment have already been notified. Any and all requests for changes must be submitted on the form linked above.
Studyhalls limited to one semester
As part of our ongoing commitment to maximizing student learning opportunities, students will no longer have a full year study. Instead, students will have one semester of structured study hall during which they will take School Counseling and MyCAP seminars (when the Studyhall lands on block 2).
9th and 12th grades- Fall
10th and 11th grades- Spring
This change creates space in students' schedules for an additional academic, elective, or career-focused course, allowing them to build knowledge, develop new skills, and explore interests that align with their future goals.
The Massachusetts Department of Education is changing the high school graduation requirements to include all students' completion of Mass Core requirements. Our shift to a one-semester study hall will help students to meet the additional expectations of Mass Core. Whether students plan to attend college, enter the workforce, pursue technical training, or serve in the military, taking a broader range of courses better prepares them for the opportunities and expectations they will encounter after graduation.
We believe this adjustment creates a more balanced schedule that promotes student growth while ensuring they continue to have access to the support they need to succeed. A one-semester study hall continues to provide students with dedicated time to strengthen organization, study habits, and time-management skills while encouraging greater engagement in meaningful learning experiences. Students are encouraged to access intervention during their study hall and all year long on Wednesday.
Renovation Project / Parent dropoff & pickup
The construction/renovation project at the high school has been ongoing throughout the summer. We will be able to access the building starting August 24th. This year, parents will be dropping off and picking up their children via the back of the building, while the new bus drop-off will be in the front driveway. This will ensure more safety for everyone during the morning and afternoon. The new site plan can be found here.
The following is a list of the work we are currently doing:
New vestibule at the front entrance
New layout in the front office
Extended Nurse’s Office (including new flooring tile)
Greenhouse completed
New floor tile in the entire Art/English/Social Studies wing (including the loading dock hallway)
New student breakout areas in the English and Social Studies hallways
Old Special Ed offices painted in preparation for the new ‘Welcome Center’
Special Education offices moved to the old School Counseling suite.
HVAC in the Math Wing (including the Technology rooms)
New roof on the Math/Foreign Language wing
Driveway extension completed with extra parking
Entire parking lot resurfaced and lined/numbered
Fitness Center repainted (including vinyl graphics and new flooring in the hallway)
All new fitness equipment in the Fitness Center
New School Counseling and METCO offices (in the old Music Room)
Renovated Career & Education room (Tier 1)
Renovated Snack Shack
We are excited to welcome our students and families into these newly renovated spaces and to begin the school year in an environment designed to support teaching, learning, and student success. These improvements represent a significant investment in our school community, and we look forward to working together to make the most of these enhanced learning spaces. Most importantly, we are excited about the opportunities these renovations will provide for our students to learn, grow, collaborate, and thrive.
Yearbook Spring Supplement
Attention Class of 2026:
Your Yearbook Spring Supplement is now available to be picked up at the MIDDLE SCHOOL Main Office any Monday-Thursday from 8:00am to 1:30pm. The Supplement can be picked up by the graduate, their family or even by a friend. If you are friends with a member of the Class of 2026, please kindly share this information, as they may no longer follow the enotes. Thank you!
Obligations
Students- Please review the list linked HERE and arrange to return or pay for the item(s) listed here as soon as possible. Students with outstanding obligations will not be entered into the parking lottery, or be permitted to begin tryouts for sports until these items have been returned.
Summer Math
Innovation Pathways
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.
Message from the Athletic Director
The Athletic Department welcomes you to the 2026-2027 Athletic year. As always, we are excited about the upcoming year.
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.
Fall Sports: All WHS Fall sports will begin practice on the 8/24:
Please make sure to check with the head coach for location and times for practices.
In order for each student to participate in athletics they must have the following turned in before the first tryout::
1. Online Registration
2. Updated physical within the last 13 months turned into the Athletic office
3. Sway testing
Online Registration will reopen 8/17 at 11:00 am and close 8/21 at 11:00 am
Sway Testing will be:
Monday 8/17 at MIDDLE SCHOOL 11:00 & 12:00
Tuesday 8/18 at MIDDLE SCHOOL 10:00 & 11:00
Friday 8/21 at HIGH SCHOOL Fieldhouse 10:00 & 11:00
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/
How to follow WHS Athletic Department
Email: dstmartin@walpole.k12.ma.us
Phone: 508-660-7257
Twitter: @WalpolehighADSM
WHS Contact Information
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
