OPR Weekly Update
December 20, 2024
Dear OPR Families,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Holiday Sing-Along on Thursday night! It was great to see such a fantastic turnout, with families coming together to share the joy of singing songs that celebrate the spirit of the season.
From all of us at OPR, we wish you and your family happy holidays! Enjoy the winter break and we will see you when school resumes on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Click here to watch this week's OPR Video News.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
December
23 No School - Vacation Begins. School Resumes on Thursday, January 2nd.
January
2 School Reopens
9 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab, 7:00 PM
13 Walpole Fire Department Fire Safety Presentation for Kindergarten, Gr. 1 and Gr. 2 Students
16 PAC Sponsored Grade 4 Program: High Touch High Tech: Funomena
17 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
17 Student Council Spirit Day: Career Day! Dress like what you want to do when you grow up!
20 No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
23 PAC Sponsored Grade 3 STEM Night! Free Science Night! 6-7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
24 Grade 5 Neponset Valley Watershed Presentation
30 PAC Sponsored Grade 2 STEM Night! Free Science Night! 6-7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
31 Grade 5 Neponset Valley Watershed Presentation (Part 2)
February
7 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
7 Student Council Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day (or Multicolor) - Wear tie dye or multicolor clothes!
7 PAC Sponsored Stay on the Half Day
13 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab, 7:00 PM
17-21 Vacation Week
WPS Attendance Newsletter
Student Support & Attendance December Newsletter
"Is my child absent because they're trying to avoid going to school?"
Music with Ms. Yee
The past few weeks have been filled with high energy and joyful music making at all levels. Please see recent learning activities below. Have a wonderful vacation!
Grade K & 1
Singing, Literacy & Instruments: Students read iconic notation and played desk bells to accompany two seasonal songs called “Deck the Hall” and “Jingle Bells”. The notation helped reinforce steady beat for Grade K and rhythm for Grade 1.
Movement: Students learned a Hanukkah song called, “My Dreidel”. They created small group dances to accompany the song. This activity helped reinforce steady beat for Grade K and musical form for Grade 1.
Picture books/composers: We read the story of “The Nutcracker” and students learned about ballet music and the composer, Peter I Tchaikovsky.
Grade 2 & 3
Singing & Movement: Students learned a lively Hebrew folk song called “Joyous Chanukah”. Students were divided into groups and created a rhythmic ostinato using classroom instruments.
Composers & Form: Students continue to listen and learn more about the music from Tchaikovsky’s ballet, “The Nutcracker”. This year they listened and watched a performance of the “Trepak”. Musical form was reinforced while using scarves and movement.
Literacy and Instruments: Students played rhythm patterns using iconic notation to accompany the seasonal song, “Rudolph”. Percussion instruments were played in this fun activity.
Grade 4 & 5
Singing & Movement: Students had fun learning a song using two concentric circles and a xylophone accompaniment called, “Turkey Trot”. “Meter Tag” was another well received activity reinforcing beat patterns and tempo.
Instruments & Literacy: Students played a four part arrangement of “Jingle Bells”. They enjoyed rotating stations while playing a variety of percussion instruments. Students also used boomwhackers to play harmonic patterns accompanying the song, “Let It Snow”. The sight reading and ensemble playing was impressive!
Social Emotional Learning with Ms. Bishop and Mrs. Murray
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:
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
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
June 2024 - $100.50
July 2024 - $100.20
August 2024 - $115.80
September 2024 - $59.10
October 2024 - $113.40
November 2024 - $141.00
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
