Dear Families,

We have completed our first round of MCAS this past week. The students worked diligently on their ELA MCAS. And, I have no doubt that they represented themselves and our community well. See below for information on the next rounds. The 8th grade is up next with the Science, Technology, and Engineering test in the middle of May.

April vacation is upon us. We hope that you all enjoy a restful week of vacation with your friends and family. If you're travelling, we wish you a safe journey. If you're staying local, as I am, have a great and relaxing week!

Sincerely,

Ed Connor

Did you know that there are 2 solar eclipses each year in all parts of the globe?!? Well, Astronomers Without Borders will accept donations of used glasses. The glasses are vetted and then donated, not sold, to other countries around the world. Please click this link to learn more about their organization and how to donate.

Astronomers Without Borders

MCAS test days have been scheduled for BMS

We have scheduled our MCAS testing for this school year. See the dates below. Please do your best to make sure that your child is in school on these days. We will have them make up the tests for any days that they are absent. We'll update you with further information in the coming weeks.

MCAS dates at BMS:

• Science: May 14 & 15 (grade 8 only)
• Math: May 21 & 22 (all grades)
• Social Studies Field Test: May 29 & 30 (grade 8 only)

Thank you so much to our PAC for the treats for everyone in the school today. The kids loved the Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt. And, we encountered many staff members enjoying the offerings in the teacher's room. See some photos below. We hope the PAC and their families have an enjoyable week!

Hi Families! We are currently in the process of finishing the yearbook and getting a quote for printing. We are still waiting on the final pricing of the yearbook cost. We believe that it will be between $25-$30 dollars per book. We are attempting to get a final count for the yearbook now. Here is a link for the order form.

yearbook Order form

Once we have the final count, and final prices we will send a payment notice. Payment will be through check to the "Town of Walpole." This order form is also listed on the students Grade Level Google Classroom.

Mrs. Valley and Ms. Griffin

Yearbook Advisors

Hi Families! We are collecting baby/young pictures for the 8th graders to put in the yearbook! If you could upload a picture to this google form it will ensure that your child will have their picture posted in their yearbook. If for some reason you have difficulties with uploading the picture, please reach out to Meaghan Valley mvalley@walpole.k12.ma.us and we can figure out a way to do it. Thanks so much!

8th Grade Baby Picture Submission 23-24

April is National Poetry Month

The library is showcasing poetry books this month. Mrs. O'Malley has also curated a National Poetry Month pathfinder of resources which include poetry websites, articles, and events in the Massachusetts area.

All students have received a copy of the attached step by step instructions and course selection worksheet, which will help you work with them at home. Additionally copies can be accessed on the grade level Google classroom. Students must select their electives and a minimum of 3 alternate classes in X2 by March 26, 2024.

Here is a reminder of the timeline for this process:

March 26th: Deadline for grade 8 students to select elective courses in X2.

March 27th - April 8th: Counselors will review course selections to make sure students have done this process correctly and continue to work with students who need to make corrections. Once this process is complete, the WHS counseling department will send home an email for parents to verify the electives selected by their children.

April 22nd: Course Verification and waiver email sent to parents to e-sign and request waivers, if applicable.

April 26th: Waiver deadline.

You can visit the interactive program of studies site to get an understanding of the difference between class levels (CP2, CP1, and Honors) as well as to help your child review the different electives available to them as freshmen.

As we plan for the upcoming school year, we understand that some families may be considering different education options other than Walpole high School. Please complete this form only if your child is planning on attending a school other than Walpole High School.

Please contact Katie Gingras (kgingras@walpole.k12.ma.us) with any questions.

The Health Office will begin conducting the annual postural screenings on April 23rd. The purpose of this screening is to find early signs of possible spinal problems in children in grades 6 through 8. It is not a diagnostic service but a program to identify young people who should have further medical evaluation.

If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified and asked to take your child to a physician as a precaution. The majority of students exhibit no findings. If nothing unusual is found, you will not be notified unless you ask to be notified of your child's results.

Screenings will take place during your child's PE class and will be performed in the Health Office. Girls should bring or wear a swimsuit top or tank top on the day that they will be screened. This will allow for a more accurate observation of the back.

If you do not wish to have your child participate in this mandated screening and have not opted them out already, please notify Mrs. Ludwig in writing. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Ludwig.

Please remember that parents, not students, must give medications directly to the nurse.

If your child requires the administration of medication during the school day or the use of specific medical devices, including Epipens, please make arrangements to drop them off directly to Nurse Ludwig. She can be reached at sludwig@walpole.k12.ma.us or by phone at (508) 660-7226.

Greetings!

The second session of the LIT program will take place when we return from April Break. There are links below for students to sign up for the second session. Students who attend the second session will receive a permission slip to attend the last session on 5/2/24 at Walpole High School from 1:30-3pm. Transportation from both middle schools to the high school is being provided. Resident students must be picked up from the high school by 3:05 pm. Students in the METCO program will be picked up by the bus at 3:05pm. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you

Atisha Winslow

Walpole METCO Program Director K-12

Office: (508) 660-7257 ext. 5234

Cell: (857) 340-1566

Bird Link: https://forms.gle/FCcGkTHJLBPTKY3E7

LIT Field Trip Permission Slip

Dates of the program:

April 22nd - Johnson MS

April 23rd - Bird MS

April 30th - Walpole HS

May 17th - Joint Walpole Middle and High School

Walpole Writes: A Town Wide Writing Contest

Calling Writers of All Ages!

The Walpole Cultural Council is pleased to announce the return of Walpole Writes, a town-wide writing contest open to all residents of Walpole (as well as non-resident students of Walpole schools).
First, second, and third-place winners will be selected and publicly announced in 5 age groups and 2 categories.The age groups are: elementary school (grades K-2), elementary school (grades 3-5), middle school, high school, and adult. The categories are short story and poem. Writers may choose any topic to write about.

The contest is open through April 26 and winners will be announced in May. To submit an entry, writers must complete an entry form with their entry uploaded by April 26. The entry form can be found here: https://bit.ly/WalpoleWrites24

Winners will be recognized at a celebration at the Walpole Public Library on Thursday, June 20. The Walpole Cultural Council will create a publication of winning entries. Walpole Writes is sponsored by Dedham Savings Bank and Sharon Credit Union.

2024 Application Process -

Attention all current 8th Graders who have an interest in the STEM field:

Walpole High School is currently accepting applications for admittance into STEM Academy Class of 2028. All information along with the online application can be found by visiting the high school’s website link below:

https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/whs/page/whs-stem-academy

The deadline to apply is May 17, 2024. If you have a passion for Science, Technology Engineering and Math, this is the place for you. Please reach out to your current technology teacher and/or Mr. Braccini at jbraccini@walpole.k12.ma.us with any questions.

Two programs from the Walpole Recreation Department

EVENT: 17th Annual BMS Calendar Raffle

INFO: There are over $8,000 in prizes this year!!!! Prize packages range from $300-$605.

TICKET PRICES:

• 1 for $6
• 6 for $30
• SUPERTICKET for $45 (your name will be entered for a chance to win each day-22 chances!!)

Tickets will be on sale until April 30th. Prizes will be awarded on school days from May 1st-31st.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
1.Venmo @BMS-PAC (indicate which prize packages you are buying tickets for, or indicate that you are buying a SUPERTICKET).

2.Send Cash or Check payable to Bird Middle School PAC. Send an email to bmspac625@gmail.com telling us your method of payment & the prize package numbers you are interested in.

Please see the attached prize package descriptions & prize calendar.
If you have any questions, please contact bmspac625@gmail.com.

Also, please join the Bird Middle School PAC Facebook page for updates.

Thank you in advance for supporting Bird PAC!

If you have any questions or general concerns, please contact Principal Connor at econnor@walpole.k12.ma.us or Assistant Principal O'Leary at joleary@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Email: bmsoffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/bms
Location: 625 Washington St, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7226