WHS eNotes
October 9, 2026
Message from Mr. Imbusch
Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:
Today, our students experienced a different kind of Early Release Day, with activities designed to support their future goals, expand their career awareness, and build important life skills.
Our seniors spent the day exploring their post-secondary options. Some worked on college essays, while others focused on college and career applications or took the opportunity to visit college campuses. It was a valuable chance to make progress toward their next steps beyond Walpole High School.
All sophomores and juniors took the PSAT. The test provides valuable practice for the SAT, gives students personalized feedback to help strengthen their college readiness, and allows eligible juniors to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Our freshmen enjoyed an informative Career Day! Students selected career paths that interested them and rotated through sessions with professionals in their chosen fields, giving them an opportunity to learn more about potential careers and the paths that lead to them.
Students also participated in a presentation from Early Investors Inc. (E.I.), focused on building financial literacy and helping them make informed financial decisions while avoiding common financial pitfalls.
To close out the day, all freshmen attended a presentation on substance use prevention and addiction led by Kevin Rosario. This important discussion provided an opportunity to learn more about substance use, addiction, and prevention.
Families who would like to continue the conversation about substance use prevention with their freshmen may find the following resources helpful:
Healthy Coping Resources for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
8 Tips for Talking and Listening to Your Teens About Drugs and Alcohol
Thank you to everyone who helped make today's activities meaningful and productive for our students.
A reminder that school will be closed on Monday in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. Have a wonderful long weekend!
Sincerely,
Stephen Imbusch
Principal
Please join VOICES!
We hope to see you there - Mrs. Kimball and Ms. Atisha
Community Service Club - Food Drive
The Community Service Club is holding a Food Drive to support the Walpole Food Pantry. The drive will take place between October 12th and November 13th. Most needed items are: rice, pasta, canned foods, canned vegetables, cups, paper products, and hygiene items. Please drop off any items to our donation box located in the front lobby. Thank you!
UNICEF CLUB
UNICEF and the Red Cross Club are preparing for their annual Halloween fundraiser “Monsters on a Mission.” “Monsters on a Mission” is a trick-or-treat trail for families to walk through and learn about some of the missions that both organizations work to accomplish. It takes place during "Pumpkins in the Park" at Bird Park in Walpole on Saturday, October 24th from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Students interested in volunteering can reach out to UNICEF co-presidents Lily Foley or Claire Constante.
School Counseling - College Visits
The following colleges will be visiting during Intervention Block on Wed., October 7th in the music auditorium. All student's are welcome to attend!
Syracuse University
Quinnipiac University
Providence College
Curry College
Lasell University
Northeastern University
Lesley University
Brandeis University
Merrimack College
University of Maine
Dean College
Yearbook Announcement
Senior Portraits are due TODAY, October 9th. Please submit your portrait on the Yearbook Classroom page. If you have any questions email Ms. Gould at mgould@walpole.k12.ma.us
Follow us on Instagram for reminders of upcoming deadlines @walpole_yearbook
Speech and Debate Team
For the third year in a row, Mrs. Murray took speech and debate students to the Yale Invitational, a prestigious high school tournament open to students from across the country! The team had a lovely weekend with luckily good weather! A big thank you to the parents who chaperoned, judged, and drove students.
Congratulations to the students who placed in outrounds:
Aaron Arora '27 placed 6th out of 43 students in Informative Speaking.
Elaina Shobin '28 placed 8th out of 28 students in Oral Interpretation.
Swara Sonchhatra '27 placed 18th out of 83 students in Original Orator
Science Olymiad
Build it. Test it. Solve it. Compete! Science Olympiad is a team where you can explore everything from engineering and chemistry to forensics and astronomy. Whether you love hands-on challenges or tackling tough questions, there’s an event for you!
Join us Thursdays at 2:05 p.m. in Room 2214. We compete locally about once a month, then head to regional and state competitions in February and March. Come check it out! See Mr. O'Connor or Mrs. Schwartz with any questions.
Italy Trip
On Thursday, October 15th, at 6pm, there will be a meeting concerning an upcoming student trip to Italy, which will take place over April break this year. The parents or guardians of any interested students are invited to attend. The meeting will be held in Room 1317 at Walpole High School. Please contact Mr. Gabriel Bakale (gbakale@walpole.k12.ma.us) if you should have any questions. Also, parents who attended the meeting last spring regarding the trip, if interested, may begin signing up via the link provided below.
Sicily Trip: https://www.paideiainstitute.org/walpole_2027
FROM THE MEDIA CENTER:
We are thrilled to announce a special historical project that has been in the works over the past year! Through a partnership with the Boston Public Library, all Walpole High School yearbooks dating back to 1939 have been fully digitized and preserved for our community.
Whether you are looking to explore decades of WHS history, research alumni, or take a nostalgic walk down memory lane, these digital yearbooks are free and open for everyone to view.
You can access the digital yearbook archive today on the WHS Library Media Center web page: WHS Library Media Center
Happy browsing!
Voting for the Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA) officially opens October 1st!
MTCBA is the only book award in Massachusetts decided entirely by teens in grades 7–12. You’ve read the nominees, argued over the characters, and found your favorites—now it’s time to make your vote count!
How to Participate:
Explore the Nominees: Check out the nominated titles in the high school library or browse the full list online.
Cast Your Vote: Voting opens October 1st! Cast your ballot directly at https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home or stop by the library to fill out a paper ballot.
Spread the Word: Tag your favorite reads and reviews on social media using #MTCBA!
Which book will take home the top prize this year? You decide!
Senior Announcements
Seniors- You should have filled out the google forms for your Cap and Gown size and to confirm how you want your name printed on your Diploma.
Click HERE to access the "Class of 2027" Website
We have a bunch of Class of 2027 T-Shirts left over. If you did not pick one up at the beginning of the year, please come to the Main Office!
If you have yet to pay your class dues or are new to Walpole High School, please do so by submitting a $160 check (Town of Walpole) or cash ($160) to the main office before the November 1st deadline. Many students paid their class dues at the end of last school year. If you are unsure of whether or not you still owe dues, please reach out to kbacon@walpole.k12.ma.us.
AP Fees
AP Fees are due by October 15. The cost for each test is $110. Please make checks payable to "Walpole High School Guidance", or bring in cash directly to Mrs. Murray in the School Counseling Office.
Students who have not paid for the exam by October 15 will not have an exam ordered and will not receive the AP-level credit for the course.
Any family experiencing financial hardship can reach out to Mrs. Dolan jdolan@walpole.k12.ma.us
Click HERE for more information about AP Exams
Photography Club
Photography Club will meet Thursday October 15th after school. It's a long weekend and the weather is supposed to be nice. It's a great weekend to go check out the changing leaves. So take a ride, a walk, or look outside and take some pictures of all the colors of fall. If anyone is interested in the photography club you can contact Mrs. D'Agostino at: jdagostino@walpole.k12.ma.us and check out our instagram @walpole_photographyclub
Yearbook
Attention class of 2027. Welcome to your graduation year! Please make sure that you're enrolled in the Yearbook Classroom page. This is where you will find announcements, important dates, and dropboxes for submissions. Classroom code: blxghwh
We also have an Instagram page. Follow us @walpole_yearbook
Senior Portraits are due October 9th. Please submit your portrait on the Yearbook Classroom page. If you have any questions email Ms. Gould at mgould@walpole.k12.ma.us
Music Department
Art Club
"Art Club is kicking off again this year EVERY Thursday from 2:10-3:10 with Mr. B in room 1141! The first day will be Thursday 9/10 and will be a chance to let your creative side run wild!
ALL artists are welcome and all ideas and styles are encouraged!
Hope to see you all there!"
Innovation Pathways
Please click this link to learn more about this new program for students at WHS. Students should see their school counselor for more information if they are interested.
Message from the Athletic Director
The Athletic Department welcomes you to the 2026-2027 Athletic year. As always, we are excited about the upcoming year.
Registration for winter sports will be opening Monday, October 12th on FamilyID.
The Athletic Department is offering a student pass for $80 to be able to get into any regular season home game we have and also the first round of the home state tournament games we charge admission to. This pass will last all school year and is an easy way to get into our games. The link is: https://gofan.co/event/6884117?schoolId=MA14763
The Athletic website is located on the High School homepage. On this page, you will find forms, registration instructions, online payments, Twitter information, coaches' contact information, and an athletic calendar with the daily game schedules.
Registration is online at FamilyID.com. This is now called Arbiter. You can create a login when you visit the site.
The user fees are as follows:
$300.00 first sport
$300.00 second sport
$200.00 third sport
$325.00 Football
$400.00 Swim, Gymnastics
$450.00 Ice Hockey
$1,200.00 maximum cap per family
Checks are accepted and should be payable to TOWN OF WALPOLE. Please put on the Memo line of each check the following information:
1. Athlete's full name
2. Year of Graduation
3. Sport
All fees are due prior to distribution of uniforms. Once the fee has been paid, there will be no refunds. Additionally, all student obligations must be met prior to the start of tryouts. An email was sent to students and guardians in July. Please ensure that all items have been returned, or paid for, prior to the start of tryouts.
There is an Athletic Handbook found on the site as well. Please read it. I look forward to meeting you all, and seeing you at the games in the upcoming year cheering on the Walpole Timberwolves.
David St. Martin
Athletic Director
Walpole Timberwolves apparel check out the link below.
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/massachusetts/walpole/walpole-high-school
For a list of upcoming events please click on the following link: https://sites.google.com/a/walpole.k12.ma.us/athletics/
How to follow WHS Athletic Department
Email: dstmartin@walpole.k12.ma.us
Phone: 508-660-7257
Twitter: @WalpolehighADSM
WHS Contact Information
Email: simbusch@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpolewhs.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 275 Common Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleHS