Fisher Family Update
February 9, 2024
Fisher School - Accountability Report
Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available at https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/2023/03070015.
The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.
Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.
You will notice on our report card that Fisher students attend on average nearly 95% (94.6%) of all school days. We are also meeting or exceeding our targeted goals for student achievement in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. Overall, our school is making “substantial progress toward targets”. To improve student achievement we will look to decrease the percentage of students who miss more than 10% of the school year which has increased 5% in two years. We will also seek to improve and enhance our instructional practices in the area of Science and Technology in grades K-5. We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your continued support.
If you have questions about our school’s report card or would like to become involved in school improvement activities, please contact your building principal or district administration. To see our district’s report card or to search for other schools’ report cards, visit https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/
Sincerely,
Brian Bemiss
Principal
William Hahn
Assistant Superintendent
Term I Report Cards
The Term I Report Cards are now available to families on the Aspen Family Portal. (see below for log in information) The Term I report card communicates student progress toward meeting end of the year learning standards. A slight, but important, change to the descriptors of the Academic Performance Levels is the phrase “at this time”. The purpose of adding 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.
WPS website with each grade level’s Standard Based Report Card and Parent/Guardian Guide: WPS-SBRC
Click HERE for Aspen Log in information
Spring Enrichment Announcement
Enrichment registration begins on Monday! We are excited to offer some new classes for the Spring I Enrichment Session, like Cursive Writing, Drama, and Pickleball! Details can be found here.
Please note: students MUST be registered via the Sign-Up Genius link, which will be open on Monday, February 12 at 7:00pm. Spots fill quickly!
Classes will begin the week of February 26. Any questions and for scholarship information, please contact Kate Anderson at: kanderson@walpole.k12.ma.us.
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Classes Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iZjus-yvtK0gNTT1fvMLlk4IGhDTjUyjJz-hoSrGHRw/edit?usp=sharing
Sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4FA8AC29A3F85-47379636-spring
Fisher's Finest Update
FISHER’S FINEST FAMILY UPDATE
February 2024
First, a little bit about Fisher’s Finest - For those of you new to Fisher School this year, let us introduce ourselves. Fisher’s Finest is a group that began 17 years ago at Fisher School to support the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Each year, the Red Sox and Dana-Farber team together to sponsor the “Rally Against Cancer”. Schools and companies are invited to raise money for the Jimmy Fund to help offset the costs of patient treatment and support as well as cancer research. We formed our team, Fisher’s Finest, as a way to “rally” our students and families and support this important effort.
Over the years, you have responded in the most amazing way, earning our school THREE Red Sox player visits, two visits from Wally the Green Monster and his little sister, Tessie, and a visit in 2019 from the 2018 World Series trophy!!!! In our first seventeen years participating in Rally Against Cancer, Fisher’s Finest has raised over $100,000.00 for the Jimmy Fund. That is beyond incredible!!! If you mention “Fisher’s Finest” to the staff at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, they know who we are!!! Our students and families have shown such understanding and compassion for those going through trying times with cancer, especially since this has affected a number of our families and staff members over the years. One note, to clear up some confusion we’ve had in the past – Fisher’s Finest is not connected to our Fisher PAC. It is a totally separate group.
We are preparing to start our Green Monster Wall of Honor for this season. Order forms will be going home soon. For those of you who are not familiar with the Green Monster Wall of Honor, it is a large green “wall” located in the hallway that leads to the auditorium. Families can make a donation to our Fisher’s Finest Rally team and have a baseball hung on the wall honoring a loved one who has battled cancer. Please stop by to see it the next time you visit Fisher.
Our classes will be starting Change for a Cure in the next week or so. We just need to get the collection jars set up in each classroom. Students are encouraged to bring in change from home - they may find it between couch cushions, under the car seat, bottle deposit refunds, etc. The class who raises the most money averaged per student in the class receives Jimmy Fund/Red Sox baseball caps and should we be the top fundraising school, a private meet and greet with a Red Sox player visitor. This activity helps our students (and staff!) realize what a big difference a seemingly small gift can make,
To keep up-to-date on what is happening with Fisher’s Finest, please visit and “like” our Facebook Page – FISHER'S FINEST
You may also support our Rally team by donating here: Fisher's Finest Rally Against Cancer Team Link Thank you all for your support.
If you have any questions or would like to help with any of our fundraising, please contact Carolyn McDonough at cmcdonough@walpole.k12.ma.us.
Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department
The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the spring session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.
Session 2 will run February 5 to June 14. Registration is open Friday, January 12th through Monday, January 29th.
For more information, visit:
https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview
To register, visit:
https://students.arbitersports.com/walpole-public-schools/private-music-lessons-2023-2024-session-ii
For questions, email:
Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us
Arbor Day Poster Contest
Please consider creating a poster, there have been several winners from Walpole. A little warning...pay specific attention to the rules, because entries are disqualified if they are not specifically followed (including if a name is placed in the wrong corner and not formatted as instructed - - i.e. first name and last initial in the lower right-hand corner). The theme is "Healthy Trees, Healthy Towns" and it must be on the poster. The deadline is March 1, 2024. Any questions can be emailed to cekerle@yahoo.com
The link to this contest can be found here.
Fisher School Friendship Directory
Schools are not at liberty to provide student contact information for outside of school activities. If you would like to provide your child (ren)'s information for others to see please click the link below and complete the form.