OPR Weekly Update
October 10, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
Today, in cooperation with the Walpole Fire Department, students and staff participated in a fire drill. Everyone did an excellent job exiting the building quickly and quietly. It’s always great to see how seriously and calmly everyone takes these safety routines.
A quick reminder that there will be no school on Monday, October 13, in observance of Columbus Day.
This first full week of October has been a productive one. Students in all grades, K–5, have been working hard and making learning a priority. It’s wonderful to see classrooms buzzing with focus, curiosity, and enthusiasm. We’re looking forward to building on this positive momentum in the weeks ahead!
Watch this week's OPR Video News: OPR Video News
Have a great long weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
Highlights for the Week Ahead
Monday is a holiday. There is no school.
If your child comes to school with a phone or wears a cellular watch to school please read below:
Per the Elementary School Handbook - Students may not use cellular phones, smart watches, or other electronic devices during the day. If students need to have one of the above devices for an out of school purpose, the device must be kept turned off and remain in the backpack. If a student is found to have an electronic device in his or her possession, outside of the backpack, it will be kept in the office until a parent is able to pick it up.
MCAS Testing Dates
Below is the schedule for MCAS that will take place later in the school year. We will share more information about MCAS and testing dates as we get closer. For now, please mark these dates in your calendar and help ensure that your child(ren) are present for each testing session for their grade level.
Grade 3
ELA Session 1: Tuesday March 31
ELA Session 2: Wednesday April 1
Math Session 1: Tuesday April 28
Math Session 2: Wednesday April 29
Grade 4
ELA Session 1: Thursday April 2
ELA Session 2: Tuesday April 7
Math Session 1: Thursday April 30
Math Session 2: Friday May 1
Grade 5
ELA Session 1: Wednesday April 8
ELA Session 2: Thursday April 9
Math Session 1: Tuesday May 5
Math Session 2: Wednesday May 6
STE Session 1: Wednesday May 13
STE Session 2: Thursday May 14
The district received student MCAS performance reports, and the reports will be mailed out to families this month. If you have questions regarding your child’s report, please contact your child’s teacher or the Principal
PE with Mrs. Green
All students have established a routine and are working hard on all of their activities. Responsible, Respectful and Ready is our motto at OPR. Please make sure your student is dressed appropriately to move well in PE class.
Grades K-2:
Students finished soccer skills and drills and are currently working on overhand throwing and catching as well as keep-away. A fun game called “Flying-Saucer Tag” is being played at the end of skills practice.
Coming up, we will be continuing throwing and catching with various games such as “Monster-Ball”, “Batman vs. Superman” and throwing stations. Fitness stations will be next on our agenda.
Grades 3-5:
Students are currently working on a game called Speed-ball after playing soccer. This game involves running with the ball, throwing and kicking.
Next, students will be playing a game called “Handball”. Students are not allowed to run with the ball in this throwing game.
“Batman vs. Superman” is a fun knock down game enjoyed by all students at OPR.
Fitness Testing will begin in November. We will start with the Pacer test (running test). This will be followed by the push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and sit & reach tests.
Math with Mrs. Rinaldi
In our fast-paced world filled with standards and expectations, goals and grades, one essential part of learning, no matter what subject or age of student, often gets overlooked-the power of play. Brandon Smith, the head mathematician for Mind Education and ST Math puts it best , “None of this is wasted time. It’s the brain at work, wiring itself for problem-solving, social understanding, and persistence. Play is the most natural laboratory the brain has. It sparks curiosity, lowers fear, and keeps learners engaged long enough to wrestle with big ideas.” (Read the full article, “When Math Begins with Play, Everything Changes”)
Fortunately, play is embedded in our math curriculum in Walpole. Through ST Math, Work Places in Bridges, Number Corner activities and the wide variety of math games our teachers use, students are actively learning math while having fun.
Families often ask educators what they can do to support their child’s learning at home. After a long day of school, some homework and probably an activity or sport one of the best things you can encourage after school is simple: play! Board games, card games, and even some computer games (though we do encourage more socially interactive games) will have your child engaging in a fun activity while boosting their pathways for flexible thinking, problem solving and number sense! Our Family Math site includes a whole section on games that can support your child’s growth as a mathematician. The next time you are wondering what might help your child the most, remember the wise words of Mr. Rogers…
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.
But for children, play is serious learning.
Play is really the work of childhood.” - Mr. Rogers
OPR PAC MEETING
Wednesday, November 5th
7:00 PM
Held in the STEM Lab or connect virtually via link: https://meet.google.com/sem-fbzs-fvv
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:
2024 Calendar Year Total - $1182.30
January 2025 - $210
February 2025 - $108.60
March 2025 - $128.40
April 2025 - $88.20
May 2025 - $192.00
June 2025 - $111.60
July 2025 - $174.60
August 2025 - $196.80
September 2025 - $134.10
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.
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
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
508-660-7219
Arrival: 8:50-9:00 AM
Tardy Bell is at 9:00 AM. (Students must be signed in at the office by an adult if tardy.)
Early Release Dismissal: 12:25 (Dismissal begins at 12:19)
Dismissal: 3:30 PM (Dismissal begins at 3:24 PM)
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.
