OPR Weekly Update
September 13, 2024
Dear OPR Families,
Today was the first broadcast of the OPR Video News. Each week, several of our fifth grade students work with our Digital Learning Coach (DLC), Mrs. Milnamow, to create a video in place of our morning announcments. All classrooms watch the OPR Video News on Fridays. I invite you to watch the news each week to keep updated on what is happening at OPR. Here's the link to this week's OPR Video News.
The OPR After School Enrichment Program registration will begin on Tuesday at 9:00 AM. The classes fill up quickly. Click here for the complete information and list of classes.
Wondering how many is too many absences? Read about attendance monitoring from the Walpole Public Schools Dean of Student Support & Attendance by visiting this link: Student Support and Chronic Absenteeism
Please complete both sides of the salmon-colored Student Profile form that should have come home with your child (ren) today. Send it back once completed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the office: oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
September
17 OPR After School Enrichment Program Registration opens at 9:00 AM
20 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
26 OPR Curriculum Night/Open House 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. This is an evening for parents and guardians (no students) to meet the teachers to learn more about the curriculum and expectations.
30 OPR After School Enrichment Program begins this week!
October
2 OPR School Council Meeting in the STEM Lab at 3:05
9 International Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day! Celebrate by having the whole family walk/bike to school.
10 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM
11 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
11 PAC Stay on the Half Day!
14 No School - Columbus Day
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.
OPR Curriculum Night / Open House - 9/26/24
We are looking forward to welcoming parents and guardians to Old Post Road School's Curriculum Night / Open House on Thursday, September 26th. Teachers will be sharing curriculum expectations along with information specific to the classroom. Parents and guardians will also have time to ask general questions. Any questions specific to a child should be reserved for a more confidential setting.
In addition to seeing your child's classroom teacher, please stop by to see our specialists in their spaces to learn more about their curriculum. Our specialists include the Art Teacher, Music Teacher, PE Teacher, STEM/Media Teacher, School Counselors, Literacy Specialists, Multilingual Language Teacher, Digital Learning Coach, Math Specialist, and Special Education Teachers such as MSNs and Speech/Language.
The Curriculum Night / Open House at all of the Walpole Elementary Schools are for Parents and Guardians only. Students, other family members, and guests should not attend. Thank you for your understanding.
Schedule:
6:00-6:30 Families with Last Name Beginning with A-L*
6:45-7:15 Families with Last Name Beginning with M-Z*
*If you have more than one child, email the teacher for an exception to the assigned times.
Bus Delays
To those families utilizing bus transportation, thank you for your patience and understanding regarding the delays with our bus service. We recognize that these delays have caused some inconvenience, and we appreciate your flexibility. The new school year always brings a few unexpected challenges and the punctuality of the buses has taken longer than anticipated.
The bus company, WPS transportation department and the schools are closely monitoring the situation and working together to minimize future delays. We will keep you informed of any updates and continue to do everything we can to ensure a smooth and timely transportation experience for our students and families.
Order School Pictures!
School pictures are ready!
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program is here.
News from the Nurse
If your child requires daily or emergency medication, please obtain new school medication orders for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kowalsky.
Mrs. Kowalsky
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
phone: 508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
Here is a link to the 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.
PE with Mrs. Green
All students were reminded to wear sneakers and comfortable clothing on PE days. Necklaces are encouraged not to be worn and must be tucked in if worn for safety reasons.
We do go outside often. So, have your child prepared to possibly step into the wet morning dew.
We are looking forward to a great year of activities that include things such as Soccer, Fitness, Weight-lifting (grades 4 & 5), Dance, Volleyball, Jump Rope, Gymnastics, Throw & Catch and so much more.
Grades K - 2:
- Practiced expectations and movement signals.
- Set-up squad groups.
- Routine Warm-ups
- Played Knee Tag, Animal Catchers & Sharks & Sailors
- Reviewed rules and played GaGa Ball on the playground
- Next, we have soccer drills with kicking, goaltending and throwing and catching.
Grades 3 - 5:
- Practiced expectations and movement signals.
- Set-up squad groups.
- Routine Warm-ups
- Discussed Pacer and Fitness tests coming up.
- Played Knee Tag and Animal Catchers & Capture the Flag
- Reviewed rules and played GaGa Ball on the playground
- Next, we have soccer skills and games, Speed-ball and Handball.
Math with Mrs. Rinaldi, Math Specialist
The 2024-25 school year is off to a great start around math! We’ve had an amazing launch to ST Math with all students in grades 1-5 starting their journey and we know our kindergarten friends will join very soon! Students have been excited to get back to Number Corner to try and figure out the patterns and structure of their first Calendar Grid of the year. Now that students are coming into a new grade with two years of the Bridges Curriculum, teachers are noticing they are making more connections, they have increased number sense and are ready to tackle the rigor of the next grade.
We are excited to share that the district has purchased subscriptions to Math Fact Lab for this school year for grades 1-5. Some teachers piloted the program last year and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on fact fluency for our students. Math Fact Lab is a program that builds fact knowledge, not just on rote memorization, but by providing the students with visual tools to develop their conceptual understanding while increasing their fluency. It is endorsed by Jo Boaler (renowned educator in the mathematical field) who, when reviewing the site, stated, “A really great use of visuals and important mathematical strategies.” Teachers will begin the program when developmentally appropriate for their classes. We do ask that while the platform is available for students to log into at home, please do not have your students utilize it at home until they have begun in their classroom. It is an adaptive program that adjusts practice to a student’s level, so the original placement assessment needs to be done at school. Thank you for your understanding.
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
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@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:
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
May 2024 - $114.90
June 2024 - $100.50
July 2024 - $100.20
August 2024 - $115.80
Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department
The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the fall session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.
Session 1 will run September 23 to January 31. Registration is open until Monday, September 16th.
For more information and to register, visit:
https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview
For questions, email:
Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us
Multilingual Learner PAC (MLPAC) Meeting
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.
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
