OPR Weekly Update
June 7, 2024 celebrating FIELD DAY!
Dear OPR Families,
Today was an outstanding OPR celebration of our school community with Field Day! Thank you to the Parent Coordinators Mrs. Barczys and Mrs. Houilihan as well as our PE Teacher Coordinator, Mrs. Green. Thank you to the many staff and parent volunteers along with all who helped make the day a memorable one. Gr. 3, 4, and 5 did have a short rain interruption, but I think that made it even more memorable. Please see below for pictures from today!
Watch our last OPR Video News: Click here to watch the OPR Video News.
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Digital Learning with Mrs. Milnamow
The end of the school year is just days away, but the work continues! With incredible projects, plays, and presentations going on throughout the building, it is hard to keep up! We have worked hard to capture many of these moments digitally and share them with families to treasure for years to come.
There are too many highlights from this month to name, but here are just a few examples.
Our first grade classes each presented the musical, The Ugly Duckling. Even though they all had the same songs and the same script, each class put their own spin on this timeless tale. We used Canva to create the playlist for the music and made videos of each dress rehearsal. Teachers each designed their own programs for their class using several different programs. It was impressive to see how digital tools can enhance all the wonderful things we can do when we step away from the screens! Media balance is important, and one goal we hoped to achieve with this play is that when we immerse ourselves in authentic experiences, we grow in ways we never imagined. I am so proud of our first graders.
Grade two students have been working hard reading and creating floats for the Book Series Parade! They paraded their projects around the cafeteria to a captive audience last week. We had some fun with the green screen by taking pictures of the groups with their floats and changing the background to the cover of the book! We then made videos for families so they could be part of the fun.
Fourth grade worked tirelessly on their State Fair projects. It was so much fun to learn all about our 50 states. One class used Adobe Express to tell about their top three state facts in an animated video. In addition, another class completed their Interview With a Book Character podcast.
Kindergarten and third grade students are continuing to use technology creatively and responsibly. I have also had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Morris in the STEM Lab on StopMotion with every grade level.
Grade five, as they prepare for middle school, are getting ready to take on more independence and responsibility with technology. We engaged in a lesson about ethical and unethical use of AI, being critical consumers of the information and images they see on the Internet, and always being honest, kind, and respectful online. The technology available to our students is growing by the minute, so it is crucial that we keep engaging our students in these kinds of conversations and encourage them to ask questions.
Have an exceptional summer, and try to limit screen time. Vacation is a great time to build friendships, get outside, make connections, and have some good old-fashioned, screen free fun. Be well!
STEM with Mrs. Morris
As the year ends, please check your house for OPR Library books and send them back to me in the STEM Lab.
In STEM this past month each grade has been learning about stop motion and creating amazing videos during class using the free app called Stop Motion Studio.
Kindergarten first spent time learning about stop motion by using pattern blocks. Each group would put one shape down, take a picture, and continue that process so that in the end it created a stop motion of their pattern block picture being created. The following week students used a STEM tool of their choice to create a stop motion video of their name.
First grade students listened to the story My Heart is a Zoo and created animals out of paper hearts for their first stop motion video. The following week they used the white board makers and tables to create a story of their own.
Second grade students used STEM tools to create their name for their stop motion videos after listening to the story “Alma and How She Got Her Name”.
Third grade students used the STEM tools to create their own vision of a stop motion video. Some included using white board markers to show how a rainbow arrives after it rains or lego figures driving a car.
Fourth grade students chose a STEM topic and created a stop motion video to teach about it. Some examples of this included math equations, the life cycle of a flower, or even the Engineering Design Process.
Fifth grade students were told that they should either create a story with their own made up characters or create a stop motion animation of a story that they like.
It’s been an amazing year in STEM and I look forward to working with your students again in the fall!
Walpole Extended Day
Walpole Extended Day will be processing registrations for the 2024/25 school year through Community Pass. Families that wish to register for Extended Day programs must first make a Community Pass account using the following link: https://register.communitypass.net/WalpolePublicSchools
Please reach out to Dan Santangelo (dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us) or Evan Storlazzi (estorlazzi@walpole.k12.ma.us) with any questions.
Engaging in reading throughout the summer months helps students of all ages build their knowledge of the world, learn new vocabulary, and practice their word solving skills. This helps them feel prepared and confident when entering the next grade in the Fall.
Students in kindergarten through 5th grade are highly encouraged to read great books this summer. Looking for book recommendations and ways for your child to share the books they are reading? Check out the WPS Summer Literacy Google Site by clicking HERE.
Rising 6th graders have preselected a book that they are committing to reading this summer. Ask them what title they chose! When they enter WMS in September, they will be meeting with a teacher and other students who read the same book and having a book discussion. Students will receive a grade of pass or fail for reading the book and participating in the discussion. For more information, click HERE.
News from the Nurse
OPR Medication pick up days (Epipens, Inhalers, daily medication)
Please plan on picking up your child's medication during school hours the last week of school (June 10th through June 13th) from the health office. The health office has stock Epi-Pens in the event of an emergency. Please contact the health office with any concerns!
Please be aware of pesky bugs!
Warm weather can guarantee more fun with our friends and family and therefore more exposure to ticks and lice.
Ticks
How to help prevent tick bites
Cover up. When hiking in tick-infested areas, wear long clothing. Tuck the ends of pants into socks.
Do tick checks at the end of each day. Early removal of ticks within 36 hours can prevent Lyme disease.
Tick repellent for clothing: permethrin
Permethrin-containing products (such as Duranon, Permanone Tick Spray) are very good tick repellents. An advantage over using DEET is that permethrin is used on clothing. Put it on clothes, especially pants, cuffs, socks and shoes. You can also put it on other outdoor items (mosquito screen, sleeping bags).
Do not put Permethrin on your skin. Reason: it loses its ability to work once in contact with skin).
Tick repellent for skin: DEET. DEET is a good tick repellent. It can be used on skin not covered by clothing. Use 30% DEET for children and teens. Deet is approved for use in children over 2 months of age. Note: DEET protects for 6 hours.
Lice
Head lice are a common problem, especially among school-aged children and their families. The lice can attach to the hair of anyone's head. It doesn't matter if the hair is clean or dirty. Head lice are also found worldwide in all different places, such as in homes or schools or the country or city. It doesn't matter how clean, dirty, rich or poor the place or person is.
If you see your child scratching their head, this can be a sign of lice infestation.
How do head lice spread: Head lice are crawling insects. They cannot jump, hop, or fly. The main way that head lice spread is from close, prolonged head-to-head contact. There is a very small chance that head lice will spread by sharing items such as combs, brushes, hats and sports helmets.
No-Panic Guide to Head Lice Treatment | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know | Healthychildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Head Lice Management in Schools
Mrs. Kowalsky
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.
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:
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
January 2023 - $102.00
February 2023 - $83.25
March 2023 - $95.50
April 2023 - $93.00
May 2023 - $88.20
June 2023 - $126.90
July 2023 - $100.20
August 2023 - $92.40
September 2023 - $118.80
October 2023 - $90.60
November 2023 - $113.70
December 2023 - $81.30
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
January 2024 - $85.80
February 2024 - $104.10
March 2024 - $71.70
April 2024 - $83.70
May 2024 - $114.90
Walpole Road Race
Registration is now open for the 51st Annual Walpole Labor Day Road Race! Don’t miss this wonderful Walpole tradition. Sign-up now for the 5K, 10K, or Youth Mile. All proceeds support the 200+ athletes in the Walpole High School Cross Country / Track & Field Program. Each race participant will receive a finisher’s medal. If you register before August 15th, you’ll also receive a free race t-shirt! Can’t join us live? No problem. We have virtual editions for both the 5K and 10K races. For additional information and to register online, please visit www.walpoleroadrace.org. See you on Race Day - Monday, September 2nd!
Multilingual Learner PAC (MLPAC) Meeting
Please contact the Multilingual Learner Family Engagement Center at mlfec@walpole.k12.ma.us or at (508) 660-7257 ext. 5033 for further information or to request an interpreter or child care for the event.
WPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) MEETING
Please note the following contact information for Walpole’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Co-Chairs are Sue Pace and Deborah Mulroy. The SEPAC can be reached by email at walpolesepac@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/walpolespedpac. Notices of future events can be found in this Weekly Update as they are scheduled.
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
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.
