DFP Family Update
June 18, 2026
Happy Summer from DFP!
Dear Feeney Families,
It has been both a joy and an honor to watch each of your children grow, learn, and thrive in their own unique way this year. We are truly humbled to play a small part in their educational journey and to celebrate the many milestones they have achieved.
Thank you for your partnership, your unwavering support, your kindness, and most importantly, your trust in us as your child's first teachers. The relationships we build with families are at the heart of everything we do, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you in nurturing your child's curiosity, confidence, and love of learning.
I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated and talented team of educators. Their commitment, compassion, and collaboration ensure that the needs of our students remain at the center of every decision and every day. Their hard work, creativity, and unwavering support help create a nurturing environment where all children can learn, grow, and thrive.
As we say goodbye for the summer, please know that your children have left a lasting impression on all of us. We wish you a wonderful summer.
With gratitude,
Julie Martin
Report Cards and Progress Reports
Report cards and progress reports are available for viewing on your Aspen account.
Explore Walpole this Summer!
How many of these can you find around town? Click on the link below.
Summer Contacts
Below is a list of contacts you may need during the summer.
Extended School Year Program (ESY)- Meghan Naylor: mnaylor@walpole.k12.ma.us
Transportation - Kim Poirier: kpoirier@walpole.k12.ma.us
Extended Day Program (elementary schools) - Dan Santangelo: dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us
Things to do over the Summer
Summer is a wonderful time for children to play, explore, and continue learning through everyday experiences. A few simple activities can help keep important skills growing while making lasting family memories.
Read Every Day
- Read together for 10–15 minutes each day.
- Visit the Walpole Public Library!
- Talk about the pictures, characters, and events in a story.
Build Language Skills
- Have conversations during meals, walks, and errands.
- Label items, model language from their perspective.
- Sing songs, recite nursery rhymes, play simple games.
- Encourage your child to ask questions and share stories about their day.
Practice Fine Motor Skills
- Draw, color, paint, sidewalk chalk, and use stickers.
- Play with playdough or kinetic sand.
- Practice using child-safe scissors, tweezers, and tongs.
- Build with blocks or LEGOs.
- Play with sand, water, shaving cream and all other mediums available during the summer - get messy!
Explore Math Everywhere
- Count steps, toys, shells, or snacks.
- Sort objects by color, size, or shape.
- Compare quantities using words like more, less, bigger, and smaller, heavy and light.
- Look for shapes and patterns in the environment. Label those for your child.
Get Outside and Move
- Visit playgrounds, parks, and nature trails: go to your child's elementary school, Bird Park, 1A Fields, Splash Pad, and more!
- Run, jump, climb, and play ball.
Encourage Independence
- Have your child help with simple household chores.
- Practice dressing, washing hands, cleaning up toys, and putting away belongings.
- Allow extra time for your child to do tasks independently.
Create and Imagine
- Build forts, create obstacle courses, and engage in pretend play.
- Explore nature through scavenger hunts and outdoor discoveries.
Play with Friends
- Arrange playdates!
- Practice sharing, taking turns, problem-solving, and making new friends.
Most importantly, enjoy time together. Meaningful conversations, quiet time together, movie nights, outdoor adventures, and opportunities to play are some of the best ways to support your child's development. Enjoy this time with them!
Summer Construction at Walpole High School
Due to extensive construction, renovation, and paving projects taking place at Walpole High School this summer, the entire campus will be closed to the public from June 29 through August 20.
During this period, there will be no public access to any part of the high school property, including:
- The high school buildings
- Athletic fields and grounds
- The track
- Tennis courts
For safety and security reasons, fencing will be installed along Common Street, and signage will be posted throughout the site.
DFP Playground Update
Our new playground is scheduled to be installed this summer (see the rendering below)! This exciting project was made possible through the collaborative support of the School Department and private fundraising efforts. The total cost of the project is approximately $175,000.
Fundraising efforts are ongoing to support additional enhancements, including shade structures and other playground features that will further enrich the experience for our students. We look forward to watching our children play, explore, and create lasting memories in this wonderful new space.
A special thank you to Yerardi Landscaping and Design for their collaboration and generosity throughout this project. Their support with wall installation and surface leveling has been instrumental in preparing the site for the new playground installation. We are deeply grateful for their partnership in helping bring this exciting space to life for our students.
Looking Ahead, Important Dates:
Late July/Early August: Teacher notification via email.
September:
3 - DFP Open House
8 - First Day of Preschool
17 - Popsicles at Preschool Event at 5:30
29 - Back to School Night/Curriculum Night at 6:00
October:
16 - Fall Picture Day at DFP
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
Julie Martin, Director: jmartin@walpole.k12.ma.us
Tina DiCicco, School Nurse: 508-660-7374 ext. 5620
Annmarie Khokha, School Business Office, responsible for tuition payments: akhokha@walpole.k12.ma.us
Amanda Torigian, Administrative Assistant, Elm and DFP: atorigian@walpole.k12.ma.us
Susan Shea, Administrative Assistant, Elm and DFP: sshea@walpole.k12.ma.us