OPR SUMMER UPDATE

Dear OPR Families,

We are excited to welcome our students and families back to OPR as we begin another school year! I hope your summer provided plenty of time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time together. Our staff has been busy preparing for the year ahead, and we are looking forward to having our classrooms come alive with the energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm of our students.

As students arrive on the first day, staff members will be stationed throughout the building and outside to welcome them, offer assistance, and help everyone get where they need to go. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during arrival and dismissal, particularly during the first few days as everyone settles back into their routines. Please follow the direction of staff during car drop-off and pick-up to help us keep the process safe and efficient. Additional information about our arrival and dismissal procedures can be found below.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions as we prepare for the start of school. In the meantime, I hope everyone enjoys these final days of summer. We look forward to welcoming students in grades 1–5 on Wednesday, followed by our kindergarten students on September 8th. It's going to be an excellent year at OPR!

Have a great weekend!

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

Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us

September

2 First Day of School for Grades 1-5

3 Kindergarten Meet the Teacher from 9:45-10:30 AM

3 Kindergarten PAC Popsicle Social on the Front Playground from 2:30-3:00, Weather Permitting

4 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Weekend

7 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

8 First Day of School for Kindergarten

10 PAC Ice Cream Social on the Back Playground for All Families from 5-6:00 PM (Rain date 9/11)

15 Student Picture Day

18 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.

18 New England Patriots Spirit Day! Wear Patriots clothing or colors to celebrate the first home game of the season.

24 PAC Meeting in the OPR STEM Lab at 7:00 PM

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.

30 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.

October

6 OPR School Council Meeting in the STEM Lab at 3:30

9 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.

12 No School - Columbus Day

15 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM

WPS 2026-2027 School Year Calendar

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.

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

• 8:50-9:00 AM: Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Student Drop Off
• ALL students enter through the GYM door.
• Pull up to the white line near the OPR garden.
• Drive out the same driveway that you used to enter. Do not use the front door or drive out the driveway in front of the front door. It is for buses only.

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.
• A message from the Walpole Police Department: Crosswalk Violations will be enforced and could result in a $200 fine. Cars may not block, park, or stand on crosswalks.
• 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 form a line on Emerson Road or on Massasoit.
• 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 at the gym door, always pull as far forward as far as you can. The first car should pull up to the white line painted on the driveway near the fenced-in garden.
• 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.

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 close to the white line near the garden as possible.

• Students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 will be picked up outside the GYM door.

• 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 last name, and your child will exit the gym door for dismissal. Please make your sign large and clear.

• When picking up at the gym, drive the “big” loop of the parking lot so you will be near the gym door.

• Please yield to the buses. Do not pass buses or vans with the “STOP” sign out.

• When leaving the parking lot, exit left, using the same driveway as the entrance.

BUS RIDER INFORMATION

Bus students will be unloaded from the bus at 8:50 AM or upon later arrival. Bus students will enter through the FRONT DOOR.

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.

WALKER INFORMATION

All K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 students should arrive at 8:50-9:00 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.

Electric Bicycle (E-Bike) Safety

To promote student safety, students who ride electric bicycles (e-bikes) to school must use pedal mode only while on school property. The electric motor (throttle and/or electric assist) must be turned off upon entering school grounds and remain off until the student has exited school property.

If your child is interested, have him/her pick up a Bicycle License Application at the office to be submitted for approval.

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

Students may not use cellular phones, smart watches, or other electronic devices during the day.

If students need to have one of the above devices for an out of school purpose, the device must be kept turned off and remain in the backpack.

If a student is found to have an electronic device in his or her possession, outside of the backpack, it will be kept in the office until a parent is able to pick it up

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.

Check out the WPS Summer Elementary Literacy Site (linked into our school's student homepage) for book recommendations, tips, and ways students can share what they are reading this summer. Also be sure to visit the Walpole Public Library, where students can "level up" by tracking their reading minutes and earn prizes. Happy Reading!

Let’s inspire reading this summer!

HERE is a fun video that shares some book recommendations.

Visit this Book Recommendations Padlet where students can post books that they are reading.

Helpful Summer Reading Tips

• Create a Reading Routine: Set aside time each day for reading, whether it’s before bed or after school. A consistent routine helps children develop reading habits that last a lifetime.

• Explore New Genres: Summer is a great time to explore new types of books! Encourage your child to try out different genres such as mystery, adventure, or even non-fiction, to discover what excites them.
  Read Together: Spend time reading aloud with your child. This fosters discussion about the story and allows you to bond over the excitement of reading. Don’t forget to ask questions and share your thoughts about the book!

• Visit the Library: Take a trip to the Walpole Public Library to pick out fresh books for the season. Check out the fun summer reading program with incentives that will motivate your child to read even more.

• Make It Fun: Turn reading into a fun activity by incorporating creative ideas like acting out parts of the story, drawing illustrations based on the book, or even baking some cookies like Ruth Wakefield!

• Use audiobooks: On long car rides or quiet afternoons, audiobooks are a great way to engage with stories in a different way.

• Keep a summer journal: Encourage your child to write a few sentences each day about their experiences or adventures.

• Send postcards or letters: Writing to friends, family, or even fictional characters helps develop narrative skills.

• Creative writing prompts: Use fun prompts like, “If I could visit any place in the world…” or “My pet’s secret life…”

With summer break right around the corner, we wanted to share some ideas for how to keep those young mathematicians’ brains active throughout the summer. We have a whole section of our Family Math Site dedicated to activities and games your students can access to keep their minds engaged and math skills sharp. While we do not require students to complete any specific task, (with the exception of the rising sixth graders) we do encourage them to engage their mathematical brain for 60-90 minutes a week on activities of their choice. If you scroll to the bottom of the web page, there are also printable packets for each grade level if that is what your child enjoys.

We want our Walpole students to have a wonderful summer, but we also want them to retain the concepts and skills they developed throughout the year around math! We hope you all find time to relax and recharge over the summer while staying active and engaged in your choice of fun learning activities.

OPR School Council - Volunteer Needed!

The OPR School Council is an advisory group that plays an important role in many aspects of the school. It is required by law that all schools have a School Council. According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE), the main areas of responsibility for School Councils are as follows:

“The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for Councils. School Councils are to assist principals in:

1. Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards

2. Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school

3. Reviewing the annual school building budget

4. Formulating a school improvement plan”

We are still in need of one parent and one community member to join the Council. A community member is a Walpole resident who is not an OPR parent or guardian. Meetings are typically at 3:30-4:15 approximately five times during the year. Meetings are held in person in the OPR STEM Lab. If you are interested or have questions, please contact me.

For more information on School Councils, visit the DESE link below:

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/schoolcouncils/default.html

The 2026-2027 PAC Board is:

President: Mrs. Allison Susi

Vice President: Mrs. Jessica Fullum

Treasurer: Mrs. Trinh Lucas (Second Term in the Position)

Secretary: Unfilled

Secretary - responsibility for all record keeping and correspondence, officially record and distribute the minutes of all proceedings of the meetings and actions, provide notice of all meetings, maintain the archive of meeting minutes and by-laws, distribute the mail

Follow the OPR PAC on Social Media

Check out our NEW Website: OPR PAC Website

Follow us on our NEW Facebook: Facebook

Follow us on our NEW Instagram: Instagram

Email with questions: oprpacwalpole@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.

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

2025 Calendar Year Total - $1788.90

January 2026 - $205.50

February 2026 - $132.60

March 2026 - $103.50

April 2026 - $190.80

May 2026 - $181.20

June 2026 - $185.10

July 2026 - $186.60

ASPEN FAMILY PORTAL

Walpole Public Schols 2026-2027 Calendar

OPR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENU

OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

WPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK/CODE OF CONDUCT

Walpole Elementary School Homework Guidelines

WPS EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM

WPS ONLINE SAFETY HUB

WPS HEALTH SERVICES WEBSITE

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.

INTERFACE REFERRAL SERVICE

Transition to WMS Update

WPS Bus Registration

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

OPR Website

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

East Walpole, MA 02032

508-660-7219