OPR WEEKLY UPDATE

Dear OPR Families,

What a terrific opening to the new school year! It has been wonderful to see our students in grades 1–5 return to OPR and bring so much excitement back into our classrooms. During these first two days, teachers and students have been getting to know one another, practicing classroom expectations, and laying the foundation for a successful year together.

We’re excited to welcome our newest students on Tuesday as our kindergarteners begin their OPR journey. This is a special moment for our kindergarten students and their families, and our staff is ready to make their first day a warm and memorable one.

Families are invited to join us for the PAC Ice Cream Social next Thursday, Spetember 10th at 5:00 PM on the back playground.

Lastly, you should have received a pink-colored Student Profile form in your child’s backpack today. Please complete both sides and return it to school at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the office at oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Please remember that school will be closed on Friday and Monday.

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

Monday is Labor Day - No School.

Tuesday is the first day of school for kindergarten!

Thursday is the PAC Ice Cream Social on the back playground from 5:00-6:00 PM. Free ice cream and fun for the whole family!

September

4 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Weekend

7 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

8 First Day of School for Kindergarten

10 PAC Ice Cream Social on the Back Playground for All Families from 5-6:00 PM (Rain date 9/11)

15 Student Picture Day

18 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.

18 New England Patriots Spirit Day! Wear Patriots clothing or colors to celebrate the first home game of the season.

23 OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program Registration Opens at 9:00 AM

24 PAC Meeting in the OPR STEM Lab at 7:00 PM

The PAC will hold a 6:30-7:00 PM meeting for kindergarten parents. This is an opportunity for kindergarten parents to meet each other and learn about PAC activities before attending the 7:00 general meeting.

28 OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program Registration Closes at 4:00 AM

30 OPR Curriculum Night for Parents and Guardians; 6-6:30 PM Last Names beginning with A-L; 6:45-7:15 PM Last Names beginning with M-Z.

October

5 OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program begins this week.

6 OPR School Council Meeting in the STEM Lab at 3:30

9 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.

12 No School - Columbus Day

15 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM

WPS 2026-2027 School Year Calendar

Picture Day for all students is on Tuesday, September 15th.

Order forms should have gone home today with students. Some may arrive home on Tuesday. For any family interested in confidential assistance for a hardship situation, please contact the school counselors, nurse, or principal.

We are looking forward to welcoming parents and guardians to Old Post Road School's Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 30th. Teachers will be sharing curriculum expectations along with information specific to the classroom. Parents and guardians will also have time to ask general questions. Any questions specific to a child should be reserved for a more confidential setting.

In addition to seeing your child's classroom teacher, please stop by to see our specialists in their spaces to learn more about their curriculum. Our specialists include the Art Teacher, Music Teacher, PE Teacher, STEM/Media Teacher, School Counselors, Literacy Specialists, Math Specialist, Multilingual Language Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Special Education Teachers such as MSNs and Speech/Language.

The Curriculum Nights at all of the Walpole Elementary Schools are for Parents and Guardians only. Students, other family members, and guests should not attend. Thank you for your understanding.

Schedule:

6:00-6:30 Families with Last Name Beginning with A-L*

6:45-7:15 Families with Last Name Beginning with M-Z*

*If you have more than one child, email the teacher for an exception to the assigned times.

SCHOOL HOURS 9:00-3:30

• Arrival for all students begins at 8:50 AM. Our doors will open at 8:50. Please do not drop off students before 8:50 as there is no supervision outside until 8:50.
• The tardy bell rings at 9:00. Students who are tardy must be signed in by an adult at the office.
• Dismissal is at 3:30. Dismissal preparation begins at 3:24 PM.
• Early Release Day dismissal is at 12:25. Dismissal preparation begins at 12:19 PM.

CARPOOLER ARRIVAL

• 8:50-9:00 AM: Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Student Drop Off
• ALL students enter through the GYM door.
• Pull up to the white line near the OPR garden.
• Drive out the same driveway that you used to enter. Do not use the front door or drive out the driveway in front of the front door. It is for buses only.

CARPOOLER ARRIVAL

• When entering the driveway from Old Post Road, a left turn is illegal if you are coming from the direction of Rt.27. A sign is posted and the Walpole Police have asked for drivers to be reminded.
• A message from the Walpole Police Department: Crosswalk Violations will be enforced and could result in a $200 fine. Cars may not block, park, or stand on crosswalks.
• Before entering the OPR driveway, cars may form a line going down Old Post Road.
• The Walpole Police Department has asked that cars do not form a line on Emerson Road or on Massasoit.
• If you are parking or walking on Emerson Road or other streets nearby at arrival and dismissal, please do not block driveways or go on our neighbors’ private property.
• When dropping off and picking up at the gym door, always pull as far forward as far as you can. The first car should pull up to the white line painted on the driveway near the fenced-in garden.
• Do not pass a bus when the STOP sign is out and the lights are flashing.
• When dropping off and picking up, please do not exit your car. Staff will be outside each morning to assist students if necessary, so there is no need for adults to exit the car.
• If your child is unable to get out of the car at arrival without your assistance, park in a legal parking spot, assist your child, and walk your child to the sidewalk at the entrance. You may also want to dedicate time to teach your child how to buckle/unbuckle him/herself.
• If your child is unable to get in the car at dismissal without your assistance, notify the office that you will park in a legal parking spot, and meet your child on the sidewalk outside the exit door. You may also want to dedicate time to teach your child how to buckle/unbuckle him/herself.

CARPOOLER DISMISSAL

Similar to the morning, students should be entering the car from the school side and cars should stay in the traffic pattern and not pass other cars. Please remember to send in a note if your afternoon dismissal changes for any reason.

Dismissal begins at 3:24 PM (12:19 on Early Release Days)

Please proceed as close to the white line near the garden as possible.

• Students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 will be picked up outside the GYM door.

• Parents should post a sign with the student's last name in the passenger window. We will have a staff member who will read your last name, and your child will exit the gym door for dismissal. Please make your sign large and clear.

• When picking up at the gym, drive the “big” loop of the parking lot so you will be near the gym door.

• Please yield to the buses. Do not pass buses or vans with the “STOP” sign out.

• When leaving the parking lot, exit left, using the same driveway as the entrance.

BUS RIDER INFORMATION

Bus students will be unloaded from the bus at 8:50 AM or upon later arrival. Bus students will enter through the FRONT DOOR.

Students are seated on the bus in grade level order with kindergarten in the front and grade five in the rear. Older students who would like to sit with their younger sibling will move forward to the lower grade. Sitting in the rear of the bus is a privilege for older students. Seat assignments are subject to change and are at the discretion of the driver and/or school staff.

WALKER INFORMATION

All K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 students should arrive at 8:50-9:00 and enter through the FRONT or GYM doors, whichever is closer.

Parents requesting “back door walker” dismissal out the gym rear door should put the request in writing to the Principal.

Walkers will be walked in small groups to the end of the sidewalk at the front of the school by a staff member beginning at 3:24 PM. Parents should stand on the Old Post Road sidewalk to meet students. The staff member will make sure the students are matched with their adult. Until the staff know you, they may ask who adults are. Safety is our priority. The police department provides for and supervises the crossing guard(s) at the OPR driveway.

Bicycle Riders - Grades 4 and 5 Only

Students in grades 4 & 5 may ride bicycles unsupervised to school. Students in K-3 must have parent/guardian supervision.

No child is permitted to ride bicycles during snow or other inclement weather. All bikes must be placed in the rack with a lock and chain. The school system is not responsible for lost or stolen bicycles. Bicycle riding on the playground area is not permitted. State law requires that students wear helmets for safety.

All bicycle riders must conform to the automobile highway regulations as established by the Commonwealth. A list of these rules and regulations may be obtained at the Walpole Police Station. No skateboards, roller blades, or scooters are allowed.

Electric Bicycle (E-Bike) Safety

To promote student safety, students who ride electric bicycles (e-bikes) to school must use pedal mode only while on school property. The electric motor (throttle and/or electric assist) must be turned off upon entering school grounds and remain off until the student has exited school property.

If your child is interested, have him/her pick up a Bicycle License Application at the office to be submitted for approval.

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

The OPR School Council is an advisory group that plays an important role in many aspects of the school. It is required by law that all schools have a School Council. According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE), the main areas of responsibility for School Councils are as follows:

“The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for Councils. School Councils are to assist principals in:

1. Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards

2. Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school

3. Reviewing the annual school building budget

4. Formulating a school improvement plan”

We are still in need of one parent and one community member to join the Council. A community member is a Walpole resident who is not an OPR parent or guardian. Meetings are typically at 3:30-4:15 approximately five times during the year. Meetings are held in person in the OPR STEM Lab. If you are interested or have questions, please contact me.

For more information on School Councils, visit the DESE link below:

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/schoolcouncils/default.html

The 2026-2027 PAC Board is:

President: Mrs. Allison Susi

Vice President: Mrs. Jessica Fullum

Treasurer: Mrs. Trinh Lucas (Second Term in the Position)

Secretary: Unfilled

Secretary - responsibility for all record keeping and correspondence, officially record and distribute the minutes of all proceedings of the meetings and actions, provide notice of all meetings, maintain the archive of meeting minutes and by-laws, distribute the mail

Follow the OPR PAC on Social Media

Check out our NEW Website: OPR PAC Website

Follow us on our NEW Facebook: Facebook

Follow us on our NEW Instagram: Instagram

Email with questions: oprpacwalpole@gmail.com

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. https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/

Box Tops for Education

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.

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

2025 Calendar Year Total - $1788.90

January 2026 - $205.50

February 2026 - $132.60

March 2026 - $103.50

April 2026 - $190.80

May 2026 - $181.20

June 2026 - $185.10

July 2026 - $186.60

August 2026 - $180.60

ASPEN FAMILY PORTAL

Walpole Public Schols 2026-2027 Calendar

OPR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENU

OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

WPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK/CODE OF CONDUCT

Walpole Elementary School Homework Guidelines

WPS EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM

WPS ONLINE SAFETY HUB

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.

INTERFACE REFERRAL SERVICE

Transition to WMS Update

WPS Bus Registration

The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the fall 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.

Session 1 will run September 21 to January 29. Registration is open until Wednesday, September 16th.

For more information and to register, visit:

https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview

For questions, email: Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.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

OPR Website

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.