Dear OPR Families,

During this short week, we were fortunate to see each of our first grade classes perform in their musical version of The Ugly Duckling. The talent was impressive and the students did an outstanding job learning lines, songs, dances, and more.

Coming up next week is Field Day! It's one of our most popular and memorable days of the year. Below is information about attending as a volunteer or a spectator. I hope you'll be able to join us for some of this fun day.

Best of luck to the OPR Hot Hoppers who will be competing in NewHampshire tomorrow!

Watch this week's OPR Video News: Click here to watch the OPR Video News.

Have an excellent weekend!

David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us

JUNE

1 Hot Hoppers travel to Keene, NH

3 Grade 5 Field Trip to Museum of Fine Arts

4 Grade 5 All School Field Day - Volunteers Only - Spectators will not be Permitted.

5 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab and Virtual at 7:00 PM

6 Grade 5 Students Tour Incoming Kindergarten Families

7 OPR Field Day (Rain Date 6/10) - Families are invited!

13 Grade 5 Clap Out at 8:45 - Families are invited!

13 Day 180 - Last Day of School - Early Release at 11:55 (Starting at 11:49)

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.

Field Day is on Friday, June 7th (rain date June 10th). Please see below for the Field Day volunteer links and schedule. We welcome families to volunteer or come and watch Field Day.

Upon arrival, check in at the Welcome Table outside the front door. For everyone's safety, all volunteers and spectators must check in and wear a sticker while attending Field Day.

Thanks to our generous PAC, all students in grades K-4 and staff will receive Field Day t-shirts. Each grade is assigned a color. Students are welcome and encouraged to add to their colorful outfits with the rest of their field day attire. The colors are:

Kindergarten - Red

Grade 1 - Royal Blue

Grade 2 - Green

Grade 3 - Yellow

Grade 4 - Orange

Grade 5 - Students in grade 5 are being provided with a PAC purchased Grade 5 District Field Day t-shirt. For the OPR Field Day, their color will be Light Blue.

All students should have a refillable water bottle for Field Day and sunscreen should be conisdered.

PAC Coordinated Events Volunteers:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4BA9A923A1FE3-49723264-oprfield

Description of PAC Coordinated Events:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TM01b8oYLC-gUMnuynWJhKhSKEQQJl4zotDZJ82xAIY/edit?usp=sharing

Grade K

• Singing & Movement: Students learned a song called, "Page’s Train" to help reinforce the concept of tempo. The learning activity allowed students to move extremely fast and slow. They had a great deal of fun making music using presto and largo tempos.

• Picture books and Instruments: In celebration of “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month”, students listened to a picture book called “The Chinese Violin” by Madeleine Thien.The story was accompanied by an erhu, a traditional two stringed violin.

• Instruments and literacy: Students read iconic notation and kept the beat using desk bells to accompany the song “You are my Sunshine”.

Grade 1

• Singing and Movement: Students learned a ball bouncing game called “Bounce High” . Students will write the notation of this activity in grade two using a new rhythm of sixteenth notes.

• Picture books: In celebration of “Asian American and Pacific Islander Month” students read a timeless folk tale from India called, “The Drum”. The folktale provided valuable life lessons in character values about caring, sharing and taking responsibility. Students then enjoyed listening and moving to India’s genre of music called Bollywood!

Grade 2:

• Singing and Movement: In celebration of “Asian American and Pacific Islander Month”, students learned a traditional Maori game song from New Zealand called, “Epo I Tai Tai E”. They learned that the song translates as “I will be happy not sad”. Next class students will add challenging body percussion using rhythm patterns in the song.

• Technology & Music: Students will learn to play the recorder in Grade 3. They played an online learning game called Kahoot that reinforced note recognition using treble clef. Knowing the notes on the treble clef will help students be better prepared to play the recorder.

Grade 3:

• Singing and Movement: In celebration of “Asian American and Pacific Islander Month”, students learned a traditional Maori game song from New Zealand called, “Epo I Tai Tai E”. They learned that the song translates as “I will be happy not sad”. Next class we will add a rhythmic stick pattern to the song as the Maori people do. It will be a challenge!

• Technology & Music: Students in Grade 3 are learning about instruments and how their sounds are produced. They explored a variety of instruments using a website called Bandemonium. We tested our knowledge and sorted the instruments into their correct categories.Next class students will create their own musical medley and share them with the class. Students were super engaged using this online educational learning platform!

Grade 4:

• Singing and Movement: In celebration of “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month”, students learned about the origins of one of our favorite games; “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. Students enjoyed playing the game in Japanese style using a familiar Japanese folk song called “Sei, Sei ''. Hearing the singing and laughing from the students was joyous!

• Literacy and Instruments: Students are learning about chord progressions and how they are the foundations of making harmony. They enjoyed playing boomwhackers while reading progressions using colorful iconic notation to a popular song called, “Shipping off to Boston”.

Grade 5:

• Singing, Literacy and Movement: In celebration of “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month”, students played an intricate clapping game from Japan called, “Omochio Tsukimasho”. The game is a reference to the process of making a tasty rice dessert called mochi. The learning activity challenges players to keep a steady beat, and to clap and move to the rhythms accurately.

• Literacy and Instruments: Students are learning about chord progressions and how they are the foundations of making harmony. They enjoyed playing boomwhackers while reading progressions using colorful iconic notation to a popular song called, “Shipping off to Boston”.

This year has been filled with growth, challenges, and countless memorable moments. Our students have shown remarkable resilience and dedication, excelling in our SEL lessons. Their hard work, positive attitude, and perseverance shined throughout the year!

The summer break is a wonderful time for rest, relaxation, and recharging. We encourage our students to take this time to explore new interests, read, and spend quality time with family and friends. As we close the 2023-2024 school year all grades will work on summer safety activities!

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and restful summer break. We look forward to seeing you and your children in the new school year!

Best,

Mrs. Murray and Ms. Bishop

Engaging in reading throughout the summer months helps students of all ages build their knowledge of the world, learn new vocabulary, and practice their word solving skills. This helps them feel prepared and confident when entering the next grade in the Fall.

Students in kindergarten through 5th grade are highly encouraged to read great books this summer. Looking for book recommendations and ways for your child to share the books they are reading? Check out the WPS Summer Literacy Google Site by clicking HERE.

Rising 6th graders have preselected a book that they are committing to reading this summer. Ask them what title they chose! When they enter WMS in September, they will be meeting with a teacher and other students who read the same book and having a book discussion. Students will receive a grade of pass or fail for reading the book and participating in the discussion. For more information, click HERE.

The OPR PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) is a very active and important part of our school community. The PAC's specific purpose is to enhance the school community and learning environment through volunteer and fundraising efforts; and connect, engage and inform parents.

The OPR PAC does incredible work with many volunteers and active supporters to add to the OPR community. The Officers of the PAC serve one-year terms from July 1st to June 30th. The PAC is currently looking for interested candidates for the following positions:

President - Develops agendas, presides over all meetings, oversees financial affairs, responsible for general PAC management, ensure that all decisions of the quorum shall be implemented, and serve as the main liaison with the Principal of OPR.

Vice President - Assist the President in developing agendas for all meetings, overseeing financial affairs, and general management of the PAC.

Secretary/Clerk - Responsible for record keeping and correspondence, record and distribute the minutes of all proceedings, provide notice of all meetings, maintain the archive of minutes and by-laws and distribute mail.

Treasurer - Overall responsibility for the funds, disburse approved funds; make monthly financial reports to the members, report bi-monthly on the execution of the annual budget, complete and file taxes and annual report.

If you are considering a position, please know that the current Board seeks to facilitate a smooth and supported transition and will be available moving forward. If you are interested or have any questions, contact the PAC through email or Mr. Barner by phone or email.

Please join us for the OPR PAC Meeting on Wednesday, June 5th at 7:00 PM in the OPR STEM LAB or virtually via ZOOM: https://zoom.us/j/95707958463

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

Registration is now open for the 51st 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 2nd!

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.

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.

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

OPR Website

Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road

East Walpole, MA 02032

508-660-7219