Dear OPR Families,

Please join me in welcoming our substitute nurse, Karen Laracy. Mrs. Laracy will be filling in for a short time in Mrs. Kowalsky's absence. Mrs. Laracy's email is: klaracy@walpole.k12.ma.us

Dedham Savings Bank announced the winners of their Holiday Card Contest. Students from all four of the Walpole elementary schools were entered and prizes were awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. OPR had a strong showing of winners:

OPR Winners

Kindergarten

1st Place: Emily M.

2nd Place: Aaryan G.

Grade 1

None

Grade 2

2nd Place: Vivian M.

Grade 3

1st Place: Chloe P.

Grade 4

1st Place: Lauren S.

Grade 5

1st Place: Mia S.

Last night's STEM Night for 2nd grade students was a well attended free evening of science experiments sponsored by our PAC. Students showed their excitement and interest for science as they were thoroughly engaged in the experiments. The Grade 3 STEM Night is on Thursday, Feb. 1. Sign up below.

Be sure to watch the OPR Video News this week. (Link below) All classes learned about Italy when they watched the video on Friday morning.

Click here to watch today's OPR Video News.

Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us

Instagram: OLDPOSTROADSCHOOL_WALPOLE
Twitter: @oprschool
OPR Website

JANUARY

22 Term 1 Grading Ends

23 OPR Winter After School Enrichment Program Registration Opens at 9:00 AM

25 PAC sponsored STEM Night for Grade 2 Students and Parents in the Cafeteria from 6-7:30 PM. This experience is free for families. See Sign Up Below.

FEBRUARY

1 PAC sponsored STEM Night for Grade 3 Students and Parents in the Cafeteria from 6-7:30 PM. This experience is free for families. Sign Up Below.

5 OPR Winter After School Program begins this Week

7 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab at 7:00 PM

9 Early Release: Dismissal is at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)

9 PAC sponsored Stay on the Half Day

9 Term One Reports Cards Viewable in the Aspen Family Portal

9 Student Council Spirit Day: OPR/Walpole Day Again! (Wear Walpole or OPR clothing or colors to show your spirit.)

12 OPR Kindness Week!

16 Student Council Spirit Day: Color Day! Each grade wears the col,or assigned to them: Kindergarten - Red, Grade 1 - Blue, Grade 2 - Green, Grade 3 - Orange, Grade 4 - Yellow, Grade 5 - Purple

19-23 No School - February Vacation

28 Grade K and 1 visit from Dental Hygienist and a Puppet to learn about good dental hygiene

29 PAC sponsored STEM Night for Grade 4 and Grade 5 Students and Parents in the Cafeteria from 6-7:30 PM. This experience is free for families. Sign Up Coming Soon.

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.

Where: Boyden Elementary School

When: February 20-22, 2024 (Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday)
Cost: $80/day (10% discount for educators or siblings)
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/TujRsqvz3vsMHzw39

The OPR Winter After School Enrichment Program Registration opens on Tuesday, January 23rd at 9:00 AM. It fills up quickly!

Here's a link to the Winter Session programs: OPR AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENTS

This week, each first grade class posted a podcast called "Community Conversations." Parents are invited to school to be interviewed by the first graders about what their job is, how teamwork is involved, and how their job helps the community. Some interviews are even done at home! Staff members here at school have also been interviewed. This way, everyone can showcase the meaningful work they do. Each class will post one or two more episodes over the next couple of weeks.

Tune in this week for a new episode from Ms. Engasser's Class for "Would You Rather Wednesday." They'll get you thinking as they debate their opinions on different topics.

Some past podcasts you may want to explore include Mr. Rizzo's class' book talks. These fourth graders persuade you to read the books they love and spread an enthusiasm for reading that will make you want to crack open a new book right away.

Grade K -

• Singing: Students continue to warm up their voices kinesthetically using “body sounds” and echo singing. In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., students learned an echo song called “Sing About Martin”. Students also learned a New Year’s song from England called “Ding Dong Digga Dong”. They accompanied the song using bells and triangles.

• Movement: Students learned a New Year’s partner game called “Here We Are Again”. The learning game reinforced ABC patterns and allowed students to make music with many different students in class.

• Literacy and Instruments: Students played and read the melody of “Twinkle Little Star” using simple iconic notation and desk bells. Students were engaged while reading and making music.

Grade 1 -

• Singing: Students continue to warm up their voices using musical hand signs. Each hand sign represents a different pitch. Students are singing the pitches “Do, Re, Mi, Sol and La. Later in the year they will learn to write some of these pitches on the staff.

• Movement: Students learned a partner game called “Here We Are Again”. The learning game reinforced ABC patterns and allowed students to make music with many different students in class. Students will add a xylophone accompaniment to the song later in the year.

• Composers, instruments and Literacy: Students learned about classical musician W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) and listened to some selections from his composition, “The Twinkle Variations”. They read and played “Twinkle, Twinkle” using simple iconic notation and xylophones. They will create their own melodies using xylophones later this year.

Grade 2 -

• Singing: In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., students learned a new song called “The Dream of Martin Luther King”. Students added a repeated pattern to accompany the refrain section of the song using classroom instruments.

• Literacy and Instruments: Students read and played rhythm patterns to accompany a new piece of music called “New Year’s Rap”. Patterns included eighth, quarter notes and quarter rests.

• Movement: Students had a lot of fun “skating” around the music room while listening to a piece of music called “Skater’s Waltz” by French composer, E.Waldteufel (1882). They learned that a waltz is a dance in groups of three. They will create their own short compositions in ¾ time in a few weeks using Chrome Music Lab.

Grade 3 -

• Singing: In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., students learned a new song called “The Dream of Martin Luther King”. Students added a repeated pattern to accompany the refrain section of the song using classroom instruments. The song is one of their favorites and they look forward to learning two verses of the song next class.

• Literacy: Students read and played rhythm patterns to accompany a new piece of music called “New Year’s Rap”. Patterns included sixteenth,eighth,quarter notes and quarter rests.

• Recorder: Students continue to read and play a variety of BAG note patterns using quarter, half and whole notes. They are playing exercises and songs on page 7 and 8 in their recorder books.

Grade 4 -

• Movement: Students learned a stick passing game from Sweden called “Fjasken” (Hurry, Scurry). The game was challenging and lively. The game reinforced A/B form and tempo. The students had an enormous amount of fun playing this learning game!

• Composers, Literacy and Movement: Students listened to a piece of music called “The Radetzky March” by Austrian composer J. Strauss (1804-1849). They were engaged while reading non-traditional notation, playing instruments and marching to the music. Instrument groupings included tubanos, claves, shakers, tambourines and crash/high hat cymbals.

Grade 5 -

• Composers, Literacy and Movement: Students listened to a piece of music called “The Radetzky March” by Austrian composer J. Strauss (1804-1849). They were engaged while reading non-traditional notation, playing instruments and marching to the music. Instrument groupings included tubanos, claves, shakers, tambourines and crash/high hat cymbals.

• Singing and Ukulele: Students reviewed two chords from last year (CMajor and a/minor) and learned a new chord (F). Students enjoyed singing and playing a pop song called “The Best Day of My Life”. They will continue to learn new chords and songs over the next few months.

We are thrilled to announce the commencement of our annual Kindness Week as part of our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum at OPR. This positive initiative is crafted to celebrate and foster a culture of kindness while enhancing student engagement. Kindness Week is scheduled for February 12-16, 2024. Throughout the week, students will actively participate in various acts of kindness. Our aspiration is that both students and staff will recognize the profound impact of a simple act of kindness, setting off a ripple effect throughout our community. We believe that everyone contributes to creating a kinder community. Please find below a list of activities for the week:

Monday:

Kindness is like a bright sunny day. Wear bright-colored clothes to school today!

We will be creating a wall symbolizing inclusivity in the foyer. Each classroom will receive a precut hand for each student. The students will write their names on the palm of their hand cutout and then display them in the foyer!

Tuesday:

Kindness Card Day

Students will make a kindness card for a person of their choice. This could be a peer, family member, teacher, bus driver, counselor, recess aide, cafeteria worker, custodian, neighbor, or anyone in their community that they wish to show appreciation for!

Wednesday:

Kindness Lunch Compliment Day

Students will write a compliment to a designated person in their class. Each card will have the recipient's name written on the card. This will ensure all students will receive a card. The writer of the card will sign the card. Students will bring the cards to lunch. During the lunches, the students will be told when and how to give the card to the recipient. Students may use both sides of the card and also include drawings.

Thursday:

We will be collecting canned goods for the Walpole food pantry! Below is a list of items that are approved to donate!

• Boxed Crackers & Cookies

• Boxed Macaroni & Cheese

• Boxed Pasta

• Brownie & Cake Mixes

• Canned Baked Beans

• Canned Fruits

• Canned Juice (100% Juice)

• Canned Meat & Fish

• Canned Milk & Dry Cheese

• Canned Pasta (Spaghetti-O, Ravioli & Beefaroni)

• Canned Stew, Hash & Chili

• Canned Vegetables

• Cereal (dry and to cook)

• Coffee & Tea

• Dry Milk

• Dry Potato Mixes

• Jam, Jelly & Marmalade

• Jarred Prepared Pasta Sauce

• Mayo, Mustard & Catsup

• Meal Helpers (Hamburger Helper, Pasta Roni, Suddenly Salad)

• Pancake Mix & Syrup

• Peanut Butter

• Pudding & Gelatin Mix

• Rice (White & Brown)

• Sugar, Salt, Pepper & Spices

Friday:

Friday will be “Sit with a New Friend at Lunch” Day. Instead of requiring students to sit with their classmates, students will be encouraged to sit with other peers or someone they do not usually sit with. Students are encouraged to invite others to sit with them, and no student will sit by themself!

Please join us for the OPR PAC Meeting on Wednesday, February 7th at 7:00 PM in the OPR STEM LAB or virtually via ZOOM: https://zoom.us/j/96242172132

Who loves OPR? We do! Sign up here to volunteer to coordinate one of our great events or fundraisers this year. PAC Coordinator Sign up:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/9040e49a4aa2ba2fb6-oprpac1

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

The Town Forest Committee along with Walpole Cultural Council is excited to enhance students' experience of connecting Art and Science. The DCR theme this year is "Healthy Trees, Healthy Towns" this statewide contest is open to all third, fourth and fifth graders. Please see attached for guidelines/ rules of this contest.

Per DCR rules only one entry can be chosen per grade level from each elementary school. Please submit any OPR student entries to Ms. Kroll, OPR Art Teacher, by February 27th. The link to this contest can be found here.

The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the spring 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 2 will run February 5 to June 14. Registration is open Friday, January 12th through Monday, January 29th.

For more information, visit:

https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview

To register, visit:

https://students.arbitersports.com/walpole-public-schools/private-music-lessons-2023-2024-session-ii

For questions, email:

Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us

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.

Please note the following contact information for Walpole’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Co-Chairs are Sue Pace and Deborah Mulroy. The SEPAC can be reached by email at walpolesepac@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/walpolespedpac. Notices of future events can be found in this Weekly Update as they are scheduled.

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

OPR Website

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

East Walpole, MA 02032

508-660-7219