Boyden Weekly Update

Dear Boyden Families,

We hope everyone had a wonderful summer! All staff at Boyden has worked hard over the last few weeks to get the building and classrooms ready for the students. School begins for students in grades 1-5 on Wednesday, September 2nd and we will be welcoming our kindergarten students on Tuesday, September 8th.

Looking forward to a great year!

Brendan

Thank You!

A huge thank you to the McNally Family of McNally Landscaping for all of their hard work in helping make the front of our school look so amazing! Their time, effort, and generosity have made such a difference and have created a welcoming and beautiful entrance for our students, families, and staff. We really appreciate it!

2026-2027 New Staff

Please join me in welcoming our newest members to the Boyden School Community. We are excited to have these individuals as part of our staff:

Jill Alexander (VIP)
Emma Almonte (LTS EML OPR/Boyden)
Caroline Bracket (Building Substitute)
Jiyoung Carley (Special Education Team Chair)
Kayla Farrell (SLP)
Gianna Giannacopoulos (EML)
Haley Hartin (Art)
Victoria Hix (VIP ESP)
Cara Morris (Inclusion ESP)
Michael Nassar (VIP ESP)
Rebecca Sosa (Inclusion ESP)
Amanda Skiffington (VIP ESP)
Bo Wu (Custodian)

When Does School Start?

All students in grades 1-5 will begin Wednesday, September 2nd

All kindergarten students will begin Thursday, September 3rd

Boyden's day begins promptly at 8:30 AM (doors open at 8:20 AM) and ends at 3:00 PM. Being on time for school is essential as it sets the stage for a successful day, academically and social- emotionally.

Students arriving after 8:30 will be marked tardy and need to be signed in at the front office by an adult.

Bus Routes 2026-2027

Please CLICK HERE for the bus routes. Please note Boyden's bus routes begin on Page 19.

What's for Lunch?

Check out the menus for the Walpole Public Schools here:

MENUS

Riding Bikes to School

Students in grades 4 and 5 (see School Committee Policy below) are able to ride their bikes to school with parental permission. If your child is in grade 4 or 5 and plans to ride their bicycle to and from school, please CLICK HERE to fill out the attached permission slip for the office to have on file. This needs to be updated yearly.

"Pupils in grades 4 & 5 may ride bicycles to school with the exception of students at Elm Street School. It is not permitted there due to safety concerns on Route 27. Pupils in lower grades are not allowed to do so at any time. No child is permitted to ride bicycles during snow or other inclement weather. All bikes must be placed in the rack with a lock and chain. The school system is not responsible for lost or stolen bicycles. Bicycle riding on the playground area is not permitted. State law requires that students wear helmets for safety. All bicycle riders must conform to the automobile highway regulations as established by the Commonwealth. A list of these rules and regulations may be obtained at the Walpole Police Station. No skateboards, rollerblades, or scooters are allowed."

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

ARRIVAL

Bus Riders:

Bus students will be met by staff in the pool parking lot and unload from the bus at 8:20 AM.

Walkers:

Depending on which direction students are coming from, students should wait at the flag pole or by the windows on the left side of the school. At the 8:20 AM bell the students at the flag pole will be met by a staff member at the crosswalk.

Car Drop Off:

Staff members will be outside to greet and assist students in getting out of the car.
Students should not exit their cars until the 8:20 AM bell
All students will enter through the front door
Adults should not exit the car
Only cars in front of the school should have students exit on the school side
Stay in the traffic pattern and do not pass other cars.

DISMISSAL

Please note we expect dismissal to go slowly at the beginning of the school year. We appreciate your patience during this process.

Bus Riders:

All buses will be called over the intercom and the students will walk to the gymnasium or cafeteria and sit with their bus until it arrives. They will be supervised by staff members and when each bus arrives that bus will be walked out to the pool parking lot by a staff member. This will repeat until all buses have left.

Walkers

Walkers will be called over the intercom and will line up in the front lobby. Staff members will walk the students to the flagpole or toward the bike rack.

Car Pick Up

Families will be given a sign with their student’s last name on it. The sign should be on the passenger-side dashboard (we will provide the signs ASAP). We will have a staff member out writing the names down. The students going home by car will be called to the front lobby to line up. Staff will walk students out to assist and guide them to their car. This procedure will take place until all students have been dismissed.