WHS eNotes

Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:

As we reach the end of this incredibly difficult week, I want to express my deep gratitude to our entire community for the way everyone has come together. The care and connection you have shown one another following the sudden loss of our classmate and friend have been truly moving. In times of tragedy, these bonds are our greatest source of strength and continuity.

It is important to remember that grief does not have a set timeline and can be influenced by many factors. For our students, you may notice that you are grieving in waves, moving between periods of intense sadness and your regular daily activities like sports or spending time with friends. This is a normal and healthy part of the process. We encourage everyone to maintain normal routines as much as possible, as these provide a comforting sense of security and assurance.

Please continue to be patient with yourselves and one another. While many of us are resilient, we should be mindful of sustained changes in how we feel or act. If you are a student and notice that you or a friend are struggling, or if you are a parent and notice your child is having a difficult time, please reach out for assistance. Signs to look for include a persistent loss of interest in daily activities, significant changes in sleeping or eating habits, or withdrawing from social connections.

If you find that additional support is needed, Oasis Behavioral Health Center in Norwood has offered their services to our students. They are offering individual counseling for adolescents 16 and older without a waitlist. They provide both telehealth and in person counseling services and take all commercial insurance. Unfortunately, they do not take MassHealth. William James Interface also continues to be a resource for our Walpole community. They are able to match students with resources based on insurance, availability, and intervention preferences.

Our school counselors and staff are here for you during the school day. We are committed to supporting every member of our community as we navigate this journey of healing together.

The following is a list of resources that you might find helpful:

University of Rochester medicine - Golisano Children’s Hospital

The Children’s Room

Coping with a Tragic Death

Addressing Grief in Children - NASP

Helping Children and Adolescents cope with traumatic events

Emotional Wellness Checklist

I hope you all find time to rest and relax over the long Memorial Day weekend.

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

This is a reminder for rising seniors....please see the attached Summer Program brochure which lists the two summer enrichment classes - College Applications & College Essay Writing. Registrations are now being accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Purchase an optional AdvancePay credit before the ceremony. This gives you free shipping on your order of $35+ after the event.

On Wednesday, May 27th, at 6pm, there will be a meeting concerning an upcoming student trip to Italy, which would take place over April break next year. The parents or guardians of any interested students are invited to attend. The meeting will be held in Room 1317 at Walpole High School. Please contact Mr. Gabriel Bakale (gbakale@walpole.k12.ma.us) if you should have any questions.

Have you taken one year of art class here at Walpole High School and are looking to do more to share your artistic talents and grow as an artist? If so, consider joining the National Art Honor Society!

NAHS members have the opportunity to participate in workshops, field trips and service projects that showcase their skills to those near and far.

If you would like to apply, look for the flyers with QR codes around the halls or find any art teacher to learn more!

Applications will be due by May 29th.

On Saturday, May 16th, members of the Best Buddies chapter at Walpole High School participated in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk at Polar Park. The team raised over $500 for Best Buddies of MA/RI. Thank you to the students and families who participated and donated!!

There will be an athletic information night held on Thursday, May 28th at 6:00pm in the WHS Field House for all rising freshmen who are interested in playing sports during the 2026-27 school year. Student athletes and at least one parent or guardian should plan to attend.

Here is an opportunity from Tri County if you are unsure of your plans for after high school....

Registration is OPEN May 1 for the 53rd Annual Walpole Labor Day Road Race!

Register Early for your free race t-shirt at walpoleroadrace.org

We are sending this out early this year due to the construction that will be going on during the summer. Please read through this application thoroughly.

After filling out this Google Form, please bring in the following to the Main Office ASAP

1. Current registration form
2. Driver’s license (or permit if you will have your license by September 1) when submitting
3. Checks for $200.00 made out to Town of Walpole – cash will not be accepted

- If you will not have this before the end of the school year- please send it to

Walpole High School

275 Common Street

Walpole, MA 02081

SENIOR parents/guardians: Now that we are in Term 4, the Yearbook staff is kindly asking you to send in any images/candids from Spring-related events for the Senior class. Use this direct link to our Jostens Yearbook image library, or have your Senior upload them into the dropboxes of the Class of 2026 Google Classroom. We’re looking forward to seeing the images you share from the Prom, Film Festival, Spring Sports, Senior Dinner, Senior Walk to Elementary schools, and the Graduation, as well as any other school events.

Info about when Seniors get their Yearbook:

1. The Yearbook comes in 2 pieces. The “Main Book” has all Fall and Winter events/sports and portraits. The “Spring Supplement” is published after graduation and includes all Spring events/sports.

2. The Main Book will be ready for each Senior to pick up at the Senior Dinner on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 6pm in the WHS cafeteria. This is when the Senior class has time to sign each other’s Yearbooks. Senior Yearbooks are PAID FOR by the class dues, so NO further payment is required once dues are paid.

3. The Spring Supplement typically gets delivered to the school in July. DUE TO ONGOING CONSTRUCTION at the High School, the Spring Supplement will be stored at Walpole MIDDLE School over the summer and should be picked up there by the Senior or family member. I will send an email to all students and families about when the Spring Supplement is ready for pickup at the Middle School’s Main Office.

Please reach out to Mrs. Harris with any questions regarding the Yearbook: lharris@walpole.k12.ma.us

Congratulations to Brady Goldman Sawyer Regan Owen Ahlfont and Asher Kingman for winning first place in the New England Scholastic Press Association's yearly awards. They won for the Sports Highlight Show category.

Timber Talk for the Spring Season!

Here is a link to this weeks episode:

Fall Registration is now open on FamilyID. You will be able to access it until June 30th at which time it will close for the summer. Please sign your student athlete up sooner than later. Registration will reopen until August 10th and close again on Friday, August 21st at 2:00pm. Athlete's will not be able to try out on August 24th if they are not registered.

Physical forms, proof of completion of the concussion course, baseline ImPACT testing, and registration must be completed before a student can attend practices. Please turn this into the main or Athletic Offices.

Fee Schedule:

Fall Athletic Fees: Swim/Dive ~ $400

Football ~ $325

All other sports ~ $300

For cut sports, please do not pay the fees until the cuts are made. Non-cut sports may pay at any time. User fees must be paid before uniforms are handed out.

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.

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: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/whs
Location: 275 Common Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleHS

Instagram: @WalpoleHighSchool