OPR Weekly Update
May 16, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Spring Music Concerts next week! Each grade level will have the opportunity to showcase their musical talents, and we are so proud of all the hard work our students have put into preparing for their performances.
Please see the schedule below for the specific dates and times for each grade’s concert. Weather permitting, the concerts will take place outside in front of the school. In the event of inclement weather, we will move the performances indoors to the cafeteria. We hope you’ll join us to celebrate our students and enjoy the music!
While you’re here for the spring music concerts next week, please take a moment to check our Lost and Found, which will be on display near the performance area. We have collected quite a few jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and other personal items over the past few months.
If your child is missing anything, this is a great opportunity to take a look and reclaim any lost belongings. All unclaimed items will be donated after the close of the school year.
On Monday, we will welcome the former OPR students who are graduating from Walpole High School as the Class of 2025. The graduates will arrive in the morning for a celebratory walk followed by pictures and visits with teachers and students. It is a day filled with pride and inspiration.
Watch this week's OPR Video News by clicking here.
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
May
19 Walpole High School Graduating Seniors (former OPR students) Visit!
21 Grade 3 Field Trip to Illusion Museum
21 Grade 5 Team Building Event at TreeTop Adventures
21 Music Concert - Kindergarten at 9:30 - Families are welcome!
21 Music Concert - Grade 1 at 10:15 - Families are welcome!
22 Music Concert - Grade 3 at 9:00 - Families are welcome!
22 Music Concert - Grade 2 at 9:45 - Families are welcome!
23 Music Concert - Grade 4 at 9:00 - Families are welcome!
23 Music Concert - Grade 5 at 9:45 - Families are welcome!
23 Kindergarten Field Trip to Franklin Park Zoo
26 No School - Memorial Day
28 PAC sponsored visit from the Zoo to Grade 4
29 Grade 5 Math Day in Bird Park
June
2 Grade 5 Docent Field Trip to the Museum of Fine Arts
4 Grade 4 State Fair (Two Classes)
4 Grade 5 Move -Up Day visit to Walpole Middle School
4 PAC meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM
5 Grade 4 State Fair (Two Classes)
6 OPR Field Day! (Rain date 6/9)
7 Hot Hoppers compete in Keene, NH
10 Grade 5 District Field Day
13 Grade 5 Clap Out Celebration on the back playground at 8:45 (weather permitting) - Families are welcome!
13 Report Cards viewable in the Aspen Family Portal
13 Last Day of School - Early Release at 11:55 (Starting at 11:49)
Attendance Update
Dear Families,
Please access the current newsletter using the link below to see our progress to date regarding the number of students who have 18 or more absences. Our numbers are still trending positively!
https://secure.smore.com/n/cf0e2
This newsletter is also available on our district web page.
--
Edward Connor
Dean of Student Support & Attendance
Walpole Public Schools
508-660-7257 ext. 5020
Extended Day Summer Program
We are excited to announce that Extended Day will be running a Summer Program this upcoming summer and registration is now live. We are anticipating registration to fill quickly and will do our best to enroll as many waitlisted students as possible.
This year, the camp will run for 4 weeks at Fisher Elementary and offer an Extended Day PM option for families. Registration will be open for incoming first-sixth graders. Registration will be available for individual weeks and families will have the option to register for all 4 weeks at a discounted rate.
Please see the attached PDF regarding Summer Camp Information and Registration Information for the Summer of 2025 and reach out to Dan Santangelo (dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us) or Evan Storlazzi (estorlazzi@walpole.k12.ma.us) with any questions."
News from the Nurse, Mrs. Kowalsky
The joy of spring can sometimes be dampened by seasonal allergies. If your child has started sneezing, itching, or experiencing other allergy symptoms, you're not alone! Now is a good time to talk to your pediatrician about whether an antihistamine like Zyrtec (cetirizine) or Allegra (fexofenadine) could help ease their discomfort.
This informative article from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia offers valuable insights into managing these symptoms: Seasonal Allergies
As we encourage our children to explore the wonderful outdoors this season, let's also be aware of the early appearance of ticks. These tiny creatures, especially the nymph deer ticks, can be as small as a millimeter and are active as soon as the ground warms up. A nightly tick check is a simple yet crucial step. Remember to look in all those cozy, hidden spots like skin folds and the scalp.
If you find a tick, don't panic. Using tweezers, grasp it firmly near the skin and pull it out in a straight motion. It's important to know that Lyme disease transmission typically requires a tick to be attached for more than 36 hours.
For the most up-to-date advice on protecting your child from ticks and Lyme disease, please see this resource from Boston Children’s Hospital: Allergies, Ticks, Poison Ivy!
Here's to a happy and healthy spring for your family!
Bonnie Kowalsky, M.ed. BSN RN
OPR School Nurse
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.
*Walpole Nurses Needed for Field Trips!*
Join the WPS Nursing team as a substitute nurse for field trips. As a bonus, you can attend your child's trip without chaperoning!
Contact WPS Nurse Leader Linda Anderson at Linda Anderson for details.
Thanks for your help!
Art with Ms. Kroll
Grade K:
Kindergarten artists are learning about Still Life art and how it features everyday objects that are man-made or natural. Each student is creating their own still life masterpiece using construction paper, crayons, and white tempera paint. The still lifes depict a vase of pussy willow plants on a table with a simple background.
Grade 1:
Students have been learning about Still Life art and how it features everyday objects that are man-made or natural. First grade artists looked at the Sunflower still life paintings of Van Gogh and learned a bit about his life as an artist. Students are creating their own floral still life artworks using oil pastels, watercolor and model magic.
Grade 2:
Students are working with the Element of Art: Form and learned about how sculpture is three-dimensional art. Second grade artists studied traditional and contemporary South African pottery as well as its cultural importance and many uses throughout history. Each artist made a colorful and textured pinch pot with clay and then finished it with acrylic paint and gloss medium.
Grade 3:
Third grade artists are studying the Element of Art: Texture and reviewed how there are two categories of texture which are real and implied. Students looked at pottery from the Hopi tribe and learned how it is traditionally made by the women of the tribe. Each artist drew a ceramic vessel with lots of patterns to create implied texture. These masterpieces were made using scratch art paper and tools. The second project was to create a clay vessel with real texture by carving designs into the clay.
Grade 4:
Fourth graders are studying the art of Japanese Ink Wash painting and received a brief history of this deeply rooted cultural tradition. Students looked at videos featuring Japanese artists who share traditional ink wash techniques and were then able to practice with sumi ink on their own. Each artist will create a masterpiece of bamboo, cherry blossoms, or another type of plant to showcase organic lines using sumi ink wash on rice paper.
Grade 5:
Fifth grade students are in the midst of creating personalized ceramic tiles using glazes in a variety of colors. Each student’s tile will be part of a 5th grade mural that will be on display at OPR for many years to come.
Reading with Mrs. Driscoll & Mrs. Segal
As we approach June, we want to share how important it is for students to continue practicing their reading and writing skills during the summer break. While summer is a time for fun and relaxation, it’s also a valuable opportunity to maintain the progress your child has made throughout the school year. By simply setting aside a bit of time each day for reading and writing, your child can return to school ready to learn and grow without the dreaded “summer slide”.
Helpful Tips
Create a Reading Routine: Set aside time each day for reading, whether it’s before bed or after school. A consistent routine helps children develop reading habits that last a lifetime.
Explore New Genres: Summer is a great time to explore new types of books! Encourage your child to try out different genres such as mystery, adventure, or even non-fiction, to discover what excites them.
Read Together: Spend time reading aloud with your child. This fosters discussion about the story and allows you to bond over the excitement of reading. Don’t forget to ask questions and share your thoughts about the book!Visit the Library: Take a trip to the Walpole Public Library to pick out fresh books for the season. Check out the fun summer reading program with incentives that will motivate your child to read even more.
Make It Fun: Turn reading into a fun activity by incorporating creative ideas like acting out parts of the story, drawing illustrations based on the book, or even baking some cookies like Ruth Wakefield!
Use audiobooks: On long car rides or quiet afternoons, audiobooks are a great way to engage with stories in a different way.
Keep a summer journal: Encourage your child to write a few sentences each day about their experiences or adventures.
Send postcards or letters: Writing to friends, family, or even fictional characters helps develop narrative skills.
Creative writing prompts: Use fun prompts like, “If I could visit any place in the world…” or “My pet’s secret life…”
Your involvement makes a big difference—just showing interest in what your child is reading or writing can go a long way!
We’re excited to see all our students continue to grow as readers and writers this summer. Thank you for your support in making learning a year-round journey!
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
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
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:
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
September 2024 - $59.10
October 2024 - $113.40
November 2024 - $141.00
December 2024 - $92.10
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
2024 Calendar Year Total - $1182.30
January 2025 - $210
February 2025 - $108.60
March 2025 - $128.40
April 2025 - $88.20
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.
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
OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
WPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK/CODE OF CONDUCT
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.
Online Safety
The United States Attorney’s Office will be hosting a virtual internet safety presentation for all adults who wish to keep children safe online. Assistant United States Attorney Luke Goldworm and Victim Witness Specialist Lauryn Mackey will be joined by Special Agent Andrew Kelleher from Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation and Digital Forensics Unit to present a Webex Webinar:
Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents
Wednesday, June 4th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
A Q & A session will follow the presentation. The presentation will bring awareness to how predators are sexually exploiting children online and how to keep them safe.
Advanced registration is required. You may register for the webinar at the link below:
https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r4617269953953d7a4aaa839f6c3e110b
See the attachment for details or click here.
