OPR Weekly Update
March 14, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
This week, we had the pleasure of hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences, providing a valuable opportunity for families and teachers to collaborate and discuss students' academic, social, and emotional progress. It was wonderful to see so many parents actively engaged in these conversations, reinforcing the shared responsibility we have in supporting each child's learning and growth. Your partnership is essential in fostering a strong school-home connection, and we truly appreciate your time, insights, and commitment to your child's education. Thank you for your continued support—we look forward to working together throughout the year!
OPR Video News: THIS WEEK
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
March
14 PAC Blingo Night for Adults
17 PAC sponsored Harney Irish Step School Performance
18 PAC sponsored Grade 2 Author/Cartoonist Visit: Skip SanGiacomo
26 Grade 1 Field Trip to Moose Hill (rescheduled from last week)
28 Student Council Spirit Day: Dress Like a Teacher Day!
28 Early Release at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
28 PAC sponsored Spring Dance: K, 1, 2 - 5:30-7:15 and Gr. 3, 4, 5 - 7:45-9:30
April
1 OPR After School Enrichment Registration opens at 9:00 AM.
1 Grade 3 ELA MCAS
2 Grade 3 ELA MCAS
3 Grade 4 ELA MCAS
3 PAC Sponsored High Touch High Tech Smarty Plant classroom presentations
4 Grade 4 ELA MCAS
8 OPR After School Enrichment Registration Ends
8 PAC Sponsored Pumpernickel Puppets vists grades K and 1.
8 Grade 5 ELA MCAS
9 Grade 5 ELA MCAS
10 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab, 7:00 PM
14 OPR After School Enrichment Classes begin this week.
18 No School - Day of Low Attendance
21-25 No School
29 Grade 3 Math MCAS
30 Grade 3 Math MCAS
DESE Report Card
March 14, 2025
Dear Families:
Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available at https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/2024/03070018
The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, chronic absenteeism, and more.
Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.
You will notice on our report card that we have shown strong performance in ELA, Math and Science. Old Post Road School scored well in the state’s accountability system reporting performance and improvement. To improve student performance in our school, we have analyzed the assessment data to guide the development of action steps to enhance student writing and math. We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your continued support.
If you have questions about our school’s report card or would like to become involved in school improvement activities, please contact your building principal or district administration. To see our district’s report card or to search for other schools’ report cards, visit https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/
Sincerely,
David Barner
Old Post Road School Principal
William Hahn
Assistant Superintendent
Extended Day Summer Program
We are excited to announce that Extended Day will be running a Summer Program this upcoming summer and registration is now live. We are anticipating registration to fill quickly and will do our best to enroll as many waitlisted students as possible.
This year, the camp will run for 4 weeks at Fisher Elementary and offer an Extended Day PM option for families. Registration will be open for incoming first-sixth graders. Registration will be available for individual weeks and families will have the option to register for all 4 weeks at a discounted rate.
Please see the attached PDF regarding Summer Camp Information and Registration Information for the Summer of 2025 and reach out to Dan Santangelo (dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us) or Evan Storlazzi (estorlazzi@walpole.k12.ma.us) with any questions."
WPS February Attendance Newsletter
From the WPS Office of Student Support & Attendance:
Please see the February Newsletter: February Newsletter: What percentage of students have 5 or fewer absences after 100 days?
Edward Connor
Dean of Student Support & Attendance
Walpole Public Schools
508-660-7257 ext. 5020
News from the Nurse
The official start of Spring starts next week on March 20th!
One of the most common spring health issues is SEASONAL ALLERGIES.
Allergy symptoms vary from person to person and each allergy. Symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
Stuffy nose or runny nose, usually with clear or pale-colored mucus.
Sneezing
Coughing
Red, watery eyes
Itchy nose, mouth or eyes
Scratchy or sore throat
Read more about seasonal allergies here: Asthma and Allergy Network
Please contact your child’s pediatrician for more specific treatment information regarding your child’s symptoms.
Are you cleaning out your children’s clothes closet? We are asking for donations of pants, legging, shorts, sweats-all sizes, both genders! Thank you so much!!
Please consider packing an outfit in your child’s backpack if they are prone to accidents, spills or falls!
Art with Ms. Kroll
Grade K:
Kindergarten artists have been studying the Element of Art: Color and were introduced to primary and secondary colors. Each student learned how to mix colors together to create new ones using tempera paint in only the primary colors. We are now creating Kandinsky-inspired masterpieces that feature a grid-like series of concentric circles to showcase students’ new ability to mix colors in abstract paintings.
Grade 1:
Students have been learning about the Element of Art: Color and reviewed what the primary and secondary colors are. First grade artists studied the difference between abstract and realistic art by comparing paintings made by our featured artist, Kandinsky. For the masterpiece, students made a circle print composition with black acrylic paint and cardboard tubes. The next step was to use watercolor to fill in the circles.
Grade 2:
Students are working with the Element of Art: Color and are specifically studying the difference between warm and cool colors. They reviewed the basics of primary and secondary colors with Scratch Garden’s “Color Song,” which is a schoolwide favorite! Second grade artists have been introduced to the art medium of watercolor oil pastels and practiced a variety of techniques. We are also studying the Element of Art: Space with a focus on foreground, middle ground, and background and how space is used in landscape art. Each student will create a winter landscape masterpiece using watercolor oil pastels in the cool colors.
Grade 3:
Third grade artists are studying the Element of Art: Color and learned how to create tertiary colors using primary and secondary colors. Students looked at paintings by our featured artist, Alma Woodsey Thomas, and learned about her fascinating life story. Each student will create an abstract landscape masterpiece using watercolor oil pastels in the style of Thomas’s work featuring blocks of vibrant color.
Grade 4:
Fourth graders are studying the Element of Art: Form and reviewed how sculpture is three-dimensional art. Students looked at an array of ceramic donuts created by Korean contemporary artist, Jae Yong Kim, who is famous for his large-scale donut installations. Each artist made a paper mache donut with newspaper, masking tape, and glue. Next, fourth grade artists will add gesso to create a paint-friendly surface. The final step is to design and decorate the donuts with acrylic paint.
Grade 5:
Students have been working with the Element of Art: Form and reviewed the difference between shape and form. We learned about the history of the Noh Mask which is used in one type of traditional Japanese Theater. Each artist made their own mask using plaster strips and a plastic mask mold. Fifth graders were asked to design and decorate their masks with imagery and symbols that are meaningful to them using acrylic paint.
Reading with Mrs. Driscoll & Mrs. Segal
We’re excited to share that we’ve kicked off the month of March with some engaging and fun literacy activities.
Last week, we launched our March Madness Book Tournament, and the focus has been on nonfiction books celebrating amazing women throughout history. Our students are diving into powerful stories that highlight the achievements and contributions of remarkable women. They are excited to see which book will take the crown this year!
Additionally, we celebrated Read Across America Week in style! Each day, our students enjoyed fun trivia questions about books and popular book series. It’s been a great way to get everyone talking about their favorite reads and spark curiosity about new ones.
We are excited for all that March offers and thank you for helping to foster a love for reading and learning in our students.
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.
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
mabel's labels
https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/
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.
Box Tops
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.
PAC Socal Media / Contact Info.
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:
January 2024 - $85.80
February 2024 - $104.10
March 2024 - $71.70
April 2024 - $83.70
May 2024 - $114.90
June 2024 - $100.50
July 2024 - $100.20
August 2024 - $115.80
September 2024 - $59.10
October 2024 - $113.40
November 2024 - $141.00
December 2024 - $92.10
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
2024 Calendar Year Total - $1182.30
January 2025 - $210
February 2025 - $108.60
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.
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
Twitter: @oprschool
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
508-660-7219
