OPR Weekly Update
April 17, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
Tomorrow, there is no school and next week is vacation. School resumes on Monday, April 28th.
Have a great vacation!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
April
18 No School - Day of Low Attendance
21-25 No School - Vacation
29 Grade 3 Math MCAS
30 Grade 3 Math MCAS
May
1 Grade 4 Math MCAS
2 Grade 4 Math MCAS
5 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
6 Grade 5 Math MCAS
7 Grade 5 Math MCAS
7 Walpole Public Schools District Art Show at the Walpole Public Library from 6-8 PM
8 PAC sponsored Gr. 3 High Touch High Tech: Friction Gives Me Traction program
8 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM
9 PAC sponsored school assembly Cirque Us
14 Grade 5 Science MCAS
15 Grade 5 Science MCAS
15 Grade 2 Field Trip to Southwick's Zoo
15 Incoming Kindergarten Parent Orientation in the Cafeteria from 6:30-7:30 PM. This is for parents of next year's kindergarten students.
16 Early Release - Dismissal is at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
16 Student Council Spirit Day: OPR/Walpole Day - Wear your OPR/Walpole attire or colors.
16 Grade 4 Senior VIP Event
19 Walpole High School Graduating Seniors (former OPR students) Visit!
21 Grade 3 Field Trip to Southwick's Zoo
21 Grade 5 Team Building Event at TreeTop Adventures
21 Music Concert - Kindergarten at 9:30 - Families are welcome!
21 Music Concert - Grade 1 at 10:15 - Families are welcome!
22 Music Concert - Grade 3 at 9:00 - Families are welcome!
22 Music Concert - Grade 2 at 9:45 - Families are welcome!
23 Music Concert - Grade 4 at 9:00 - Families are welcome!
23 Music Concert - Grade 5 at 9:45 - Families are welcome!
23 Kindergarten Field Trip to Franklin Park Zoo
26 No School - Memorial Day
Extended Day Summer Program
We are excited to announce that Extended Day will be running a Summer Program this upcoming summer and registration is now live. We are anticipating registration to fill quickly and will do our best to enroll as many waitlisted students as possible.
This year, the camp will run for 4 weeks at Fisher Elementary and offer an Extended Day PM option for families. Registration will be open for incoming first-sixth graders. Registration will be available for individual weeks and families will have the option to register for all 4 weeks at a discounted rate.
Please see the attached PDF regarding Summer Camp Information and Registration Information for the Summer of 2025 and reach out to Dan Santangelo (dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us) or Evan Storlazzi (estorlazzi@walpole.k12.ma.us) with any questions."
Math with Mrs. Rinaldi
Helping Your Child Visualize Math
When kids hear the word visualize at school, they often think about reading—picturing what’s happening in a story or using illustrations to understand the text. But visualization is just as important in math!
One of the key goals of our Bridges math program is helping students show their thinking. This might be through drawings, models, numbers, or words. When students can see the math by representing it in their own way, they develop a much deeper understanding—beyond just memorizing steps or rules.
As students learn new math ideas, they usually move through three stages:
Concrete – using physical objects (like blocks or counters) to explore the concept.
Representational – drawing a picture or model of the math.
Abstract – solving the problem using numbers or symbols, without needing visuals.
But learning doesn’t always follow this path in a straight line. Students might move back and forth between these stages depending on the problem. For example, they may solve a simple problem easily, but need visuals again when the numbers get more complex or involve fractions and decimals.
These days, math instruction focuses more on understanding and less on memorizing. Students are learning to break numbers apart (called decomposing) to make mental math easier. But sometimes students think this means they don’t need to show their work or use drawings. In fact, visualizing is one of the best tools they can use—especially when a problem feels tricky!
If your child is stuck on a math problem, here are two simple ways you can help:
Find something concrete they can use—like coins, Legos, buttons, or small toys—to act out the problem.
Encourage them to draw a picture of what’s happening in the problem. This helps them make sense of the situation and often leads them straight to the solution.
Bottom line: When students slow down and show their thinking, either through pictures or objects, it helps them see the math more clearly—and builds stronger understanding in the long run!
PE with Mrs. Green
Grades K-2:
Basketball skills: dribbling, low, high, cross-overs, shoot to self, dribble & steal, 1V1; circle keep-away, passing, 2V2
Pickleball: Bounce hit, bounce catch; practice keeping in boundaries, paddle to self & wall
Pac-man tag game
Overhand throwing & catching
Flying Saucer tag with hula hoops
Sharks & Sailors
Grades 3-5:
4V4 One minute, Speed Basketball
Pickleball, 1V1 & 2V2
Pacer Re-test (Running)
Speedball
Capture the Flag
WPS Nurse Leader Letter
Dear Walpole Public Schools Families,
We want to inform you about a recent increase in head lice cases reported in our elementary schools. While lice are not harmful and do not spread disease, they can be uncomfortable and disruptive for children and families.
To help address this situation, we ask for your support in the following ways:
Check Your Child’s Hair Regularly: Look for lice or nits (lice eggs) near the scalp, especially around the ears and the nape of the neck.
Notify the School Nurse: If your child has lice, please inform the school nurse to minimize further spread while respecting your family's privacy.
Treat as Needed: Over-the-counter treatments are effective in most cases. Follow the instructions carefully, and remove all nits to prevent re-infestation.
Encourage Good Practices: Remind your child not to share hats, brushes, hair accessories, or other personal items that may come into contact with hair.
The district is taking proactive steps to address this issue, including notifying affected families, increasing awareness among staff, and reminding students about proper hygiene practices.
If you have any questions or need guidance, please contact your child’s school nurse. Together, we can help manage this situation effectively and ensure a safe, healthy learning environment for all.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Linda Anderson M.Ed., BSN, RN
School Nurse Leader
News from the Nurse
Head Lice Precautions
This is the time of the year that we tend to see lice cases rise. For cases in the Old Post Road School community we follow guidance and protocols put forth by the CDC, National Association of School Nurses, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Walpole Public Schools. You can read that guidance here.
In order to help you identify and treat cases of lice at home please take a look at this resource. Through regular checks, proactive measures such as tying back longer hair, and thorough treatments at home we can reduce the incidences of cases within the community.
As a reminder, children can go to school if they:
Have a mild cold, which may include a runny nose and/or cough.
Have eye drainage without fever, eye pain or eyelid redness.
Have a mild stomach ache.
Have head lice. Though they are annoying and should be treated, lice are not a reason to exclude a child from school.
We are moving forward with both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC's recommendation on lice notification.
The National Association of School Nursing put forth this statement: NASN head lice statement in regards to lice and their transmission in a school setting. Families of those students that present to the health office will be notified and provided with resources for treatment but we will no longer be notifying the classroom as there is little risk of transmission to others.
Although they are a nuisance, the CDC reports that Head lice are not known to transmit any disease and therefore are not considered a health hazard CDC Head Lice Info
What are head lice?
Head lice are tiny bugs about the size of a sesame seed (2–3 mm long) Their bodies are usually pale and gray, but their color may vary.
Head lice feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp. They can't survive more than 1 day without a blood meal.
What are nits?
Lice lay and attach their eggs to hair close to the scalp. The eggs and their shell casings are called nits. Lice eggs are oval and about the size of a knot in thread (0.8 mm long and 0.3 mm wide) and usually yellow to white.
Some nits may blend in with some people's hair color, making them hard to see, and are often confused for dandruff or hair spray droplets. Nits attach to the hair with a sticky substance that holds them firmly in place. After the eggs hatch, the empty nits stay on the hair shaft.
What is the life cycle of head lice?
Head lice live about 28 days. They develop in 3 phases: egg (also called a nit), nymph, and adult louse.
Eggs or nits hatch in 7 to 12 days, depending on the surrounding temperature. Eggs are usually found within 4 to 6 mm of the scalp and do not survive if they are farther away.
The nymph looks like an adult head louse but is much smaller (about the size of a pinhead [1.5 mm]). Nymphs become adults about 9-12 days after hatching.
An adult female louse can lay up to 10 eggs a day. It takes only about 12 to 14 days for newly hatched eggs to reach adulthood.
This cycle can repeat every 3 weeks if head lice are left untreated.
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.
What are symptoms of head lice?
Itching on the areas where head lice are present is the most common symptom. However, it may take up to 4 to 6 weeks after lice get on the scalp before the scalp becomes sensitive to the lice saliva and begins to itch. Most of the itching happens behind the ears or at the back of the neck. Also, itching caused by head lice can last for weeks, even after the lice are gone.
How do you treat head lice?
Check with your child's doctor before beginning any head lice treatment. The most effective way to treat head lice is with head lice medicine. After each treatment, using the comb-out method every 2 to 3 days for 2 to 3 weeks may help remove the nits and eggs.
Head lice medicine should be used only when it is certain that your child has living head lice. Remember, check with your child's doctor before starting any head lice medicine. Also, when head lice medicines are used, it is important to use them safely as directed.
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:
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
December 2024 - $92.10
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
2024 Calendar Year Total - $1182.30
January 2025 - $210
February 2025 - $108.60
March 2025 - $128.40
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
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.
Food Pantry Collection
To collect donations for the Walpole Food Pantry the Walpole High School National Honor Society is running a donations box at OPR. We will be collecting donations weekly from April 28 to May 16 in the OPR lobby. Specifically paper towels and toilet paper are in high demand, but all donations are greatly appreciated!
Calling Writers of All Ages!
The Walpole Cultural Council is pleased to announce the return of Walpole Writes, a town-wide writing contest open to all residents of Walpole (as well as non-resident students of Walpole schools).
First, second, and third-place winners will be selected and publicly announced in 5 age groups and 2 categories.The age groups are: elementary school (grades K-2), elementary school (grades 3-5), middle school, high school, and adult. The categories are short story and poem. Writers may choose to write about any topic.
The contest is open through April 30 and winners will be announced in May. To submit an entry, writers must complete an entry form with their entry uploaded by April 30. The entry form can be found here:
https://bit.ly/walpolewrites25
Winners will be recognized at a celebration at the Walpole Public Library mid-June. Additional event details will be shared at a later date. The Walpole Cultural Council will create a publication of winning entries. Walpole Writes is sponsored by Dedham Savings Bank.
