OPR Weekly Update
February 14, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up next month. In order to best meet the needs of all of our families and allow for a little more flexibility with our conference scheduling, we are shifting to using Google Appointments for all teachers for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences. Conferences will take place on March 11th between 5:00 - 7:00pm, March 13th between 5:00 - 7:00pm, and on the Early Release Day on March 14th between 1:00 - 3:00pm. All conferences are in person. If families need a virtual conference, they should reach out directly to the teacher to arrange that option.
On Monday, February 24th at 9:00 AM, I will share a spreadsheet via email with all OPR families that contains the links to each individual teacher's appointment calendar. Families should use those links to sign up for a conference with any of the teachers listed. Grade 4 and 5 families will make an appointment with the homeroom teacher. If you are having trouble with the links or finding a time that works, please reach out to the individual teacher.
Next week is school vacation week. There is no school.
Click here to watch the OPR Video News from this week.
Have a great vacation!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
February
17-21 Vacation Week
27 PAC Sponsored Grade 4 and 5 STEM Night! Free Science Night! 6-7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
28 PAC Kickboxing for Adults
March
4 OPR Student Council Talent Show Dress Rehearsal, 3-4:30 at OPR Cafeteria
6 Gr. 1 Field Trip to Moose Hill
6 OPR Student Council Talent Show! at the Walpole Middle School Auditorium starting at 6:00 PM. Free for the whole family!
11 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5-7:00 PM
13 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5-7:00 PM
14 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 1-3:00 PM
14 Early Release at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
14 Student Council Spirit Day: Hawaiian Day!
14 PAC sponsored Grade 3 Author Visit: David Biedrzycki
14 PAC Blingo Night for Adults
17 PAC sponsored Harney Irish Step School Performance
18 PAC sponsored Grade 2 Author/Cartoonist Visit: Skip SanGiacomo
28 Student Council Spirit Day: Dress Like a Teacher Day!
28 Early Release at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
28 PAC sponsored Spring Dance: K, 1, 2 - 5:30-7:15 and Gr. 3, 4, 5 - 7:45-9:30
Report Cards - Now Viewable in the Aspen Family Portal
As of Friday, January 31st, families have access to their child's Elementary Standard Based Report Cards and Special Education Progress Report (if applicable) in the Aspen Family Portal.
The Term I report card communicates student progress toward meeting end-of-the-year learning standards. The slight, but important, change made several years ago to the descriptors of the Academic Performance Levels is the phrase “at this time”. The purpose of including this phrase is to share with families where their students are academically, at this time of the year.
Teachers assess student performance against these learning standards, which are specific and observable grade-level skills. Our report cards reflect the learning standards as outlined in the current Massachusetts State Frameworks. Teachers assess by measuring individual student performance against the identified concrete learning standards, rather than in relation to the performance of other students.
Please check out the Parent/Guardian Guide by CLICKING HERE
Re:Dish Program Launch
We are excited to announce that OPR will officially launch the Re:Dish Program on Monday, February 24th!
This initiative helps reduce single-use packaging in our cafeteria by introducing reusable plates and trays, supporting our school’s sustainability efforts.
By participating in Re:Dish, students will learn firsthand about environmental responsibility and the importance of reducing waste. This program not only helps create a cleaner environment but also encourages students to take an active role in sustainability.
We’re proud to be part of this meaningful initiative and look forward to making a positive impact together!
Extended Day February Vacation Camp
The Extended Day Program is offering a February Vacation Camp for the upcoming school break, February 18 - February 20. The Camp is open to all Walpole Schools students in grades K—5 and will be held at Boyden School. More information can be found HERE. If you have any questions, please contact Dan Santangelo, Director of Extended Day, at dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us.
Families can create an account/register at this link: Vacation Camp
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."
WPS February Attendance Newsletter
From the WPS Office of Student Support & Attendance:
Please see the February Newsletter: February Newsletter: What percentage of students have 5 or fewer absences after 100 days?
Edward Connor
Dean of Student Support & Attendance
Walpole Public Schools
508-660-7257 ext. 5020
February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month, and we are excited to celebrate and honor the contributions of Black individuals throughout history in meaningful ways across all grade levels. From kindergarten to fifth grade, students are engaging in age-appropriate lessons, stories, and activities that highlight the achievements and impact of Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers. While this month provides a special opportunity for learning and reflection, our commitment to inclusivity and appreciation of all cultures is embedded in our curriculum and instructional approach throughout the year. We strive to ensure that every student feels valued and inspired by the rich diversity that shapes our world.
See some pictures below.
Physical Education with Mrs. Green
Grades K - 2:
Pac-man
Character Skillastics task cards
Volleyball throw and catch over the net and 1 vs 1 scoring
“Catch a Falling Star” - volley game
Dance - Gummy Bear song, Cotton Eye Joe, Cha-Cha Slide
Chicken dance, Macarena, Musical mats, Twister and create dance routines on number mats.
Jump Rope - Helicopter, Wave and single jump rope
Coming up - continuing with jump rope and Kids Heart Challenge followed by Basketball skills and drills.
Grades 3 - 5:
Continuation of Weight lifting with barbells
Volleyball 2 vs 2 and 3 vs 3 games
Dance - Cotton Eye Joe, Cupid Shuffle Cha-cha Slide, Macarena, Electric Slide.
16 count dance creation in groups on dance mats to share with the class.
Jump Rope - Helicopter, Wave and single jump rope
Coming up - continuing with jump rope and Kids Heart Challenge followed by Basketball skills and drills 2v2 and 4v4 small sided games.
** All students will be going home with envelopes when we return from break to fundraise for the American Heart Association, known as the Kids Heart Challenge. Students will learn about healthy habits and the benefits to our bodies, heart and brain.
Math with Mrs. Rinaldi
The vacation break is a perfect time for children to enjoy a fun blend of learning and relaxation. Math doesn’t have to be all about worksheets and practice problems. There are plenty of creative, hands-on ways to engage young learners and keep their math skills sharp, all while having fun! Here are some exciting math activities that kids can do at home during vacation—no classroom required.
Math Scavenger Hunt- Transform your house or backyard into a math adventure. Create a list of math challenges for your child to find or solve. For example, have them find different 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional objects to match shapes, measure four items and compare the measurements, or find items in the house with numbers and use them for fact practice.
DIY Math Board Games- Turn a rainy/snowy day into a game day with math-themed games. You can adapt classic games like "Chutes and Ladders" or "Candy Land" by adding math challenges, or students can create their own game around the concepts they’ve been learning. They could even create an ST Math Puzzle for JiJi to solve! Here is a whole list of family board games that support mathematical reasoning.
Baking with Fractions- Use baking as a hands-on way to practice fractions! Simple recipes like cookies or pancakes require measuring ingredients, which means your child will be working with fractions (like 1/2 cup or ¼ teaspoon). Ask them to: Double the recipe and adjust the ingredient amounts accordingly or divide the dough or batter into specific portions.
Math Art Projects- Incorporate geometry and symmetry into art projects by making a mosaic or collage using different shapes or materials. Cut out shapes or use pattern blocks to create pictures or designs. Have students design what their dream bedroom would look like complete with measurements (length of items, area of the room, etc.).
Math with Money- Using play or real coins, create a store where your children can buy or sell toys, snacks, etc. Have them create a shopping list of things they would like at the store and then use the store circular to see how much it would cost. Did they design their own room? Give them a budget and have them do some research to see if they could afford their Dream Bedroom!
Math Puzzles and Riddles- Does your student love puzzles? Here is a link to some free math brain teasers and puzzles that will help them develop critical, logical, and problem solving thinking skills. We have lots of digital games and resources on the Family Math Site, but we hope you will try some of these off screen activities as well.
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.
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
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
