WHS eNotes

Dear students and parents/guardians:

As part of the Safe Schools Initiative, we hold assemblies with students at all of the schools in grades K, 6th, and 9th to introduce them to Critical Incident Response, or commonly referred to as the A.L.I.C.E. Program (Alert-Lockdown-Inform-Counter-Evacuate). Over the past several years, in collaboration with the Walpole Public Schools, the Walpole Police Department has adopted this proactive, options-based plan for civilian response to Violent and Non Violent Critical Incidents. This year, the 9th grade students will be participating in this assembly on Wednesday, September 11th at 1:20PM.

A.L.I.C.E. authorizes and empowers individuals to utilize human action, building infrastructure, and communication options to help prepare them for potentially dangerous situations. Simply put, this protocol provides staff and students with choices in the event of a critical incident. These trainings help to introduce our students to the common terms used across the district, while using age appropriate resources to describe situations where A.L.I.C.E might be initiated. In addition to our training presentations, throughout the school year, staff and students will continue to participate in drills, specifically designed to be age appropriate for each individual school.

Attention all students - The term ‘hazing’ means “any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person”. Here is a copy of the Massachusetts Anti-Hazing law (Chapter 269: Section 17 & 18) which every student should read. All club advisors and athletic coaches have been asked to attest that their members have received a copy of this law, and that every member understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section of the law.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

Walpole Public Schools offers optional Chromebook Insurance for families of students in grades 6-12. The $30 insurance fee will cover accidental damage to the devices from 8/31/24 until 8/31/25.

• Insurance details (and sample costs for uninsured repairs) are on the 1:1 Website Insurance and Repair Info page.

• Payments are available online via MySchoolBucks.

All 9th -12th grade students will complete a very brief and confidential survey from Massachusetts General Hospital about substance use and mental health. This will take place Wednesday, October 2, 2023 at 1:39pm. The survey will take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete. Please see attached letters for more information and directions for if you would like your student to opt out.

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. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.

Session 1 will run September 23 to January 31. Registration is open until Monday, 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

The following colleges will be visiting on Wednesday, Sept. 11th during the intervention block in the gymnasium.

Fitchburg State University

Miami University (Oxford)

Hofstra University

The University of Alabama

Tufts University

University of Maine at Fort Kent

Bridgewater State University

Please click this link to learn more about this new program for students at WHS. Students should see their school counselor for more information if they are interested.

IBM is offering students opportunities for paid, virtual internships in Cyber Security, Clean Energy, and CAD. Any student interested in participating can register here, the application deadline for the Fall cycle is Thursday, 9/12. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to jconnolly@walpole.k12.ma.us.

The WHS Latin Club is currently organizing a trip to Sicily for April 2025! If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity (and were unable to attend our meetings last year), there will be a meeting held for both students and parents in Room 1317 next Thursday (September 12th) at 6 pm. This trip is open to all students at the high school. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Gabriel Bakale (gbakale@walpole.k12.ma.us).

Are you a Senior or Guardian of a Senior? Please join our Class of 2025 Yearbook Google Classroom with the Join Code: csz7gix . This is where you will find announcements about important dates to submit your senior portrait (due October 4th), baby picture, candids, senior survey, and much more throughout the year. We also have an Instagram page. Follow us @walpole_yearbook.

Best Buddies will have a quick interest meeting (15 min or so) after school on Monday, September 9th in the Health room (A246). Please stop by if you are interested in joining or have any questions!

The Spanish Club will hold their first meeting on Tuesday, September 10th @ 2:15pm in Room 1332.

Please come to room 2208 (science wing) on Tuesday September 10th at 2:10 pm if you are interested in learning about this club, what our mission is and what our first volunteer opportunity will be. We will also be beginning the process of electing club officials. Everyone is welcome.

Art Club is kicking off again this year EVERY Thursday from 2:15-3:15 with Mr. Bergeron in room 1141! The first day will be Thursday 9/12 and will be a chance to let your creative side run wild!

ALL artists are welcome and all ideas and styles are encouraged!

Hope to see you all there!

Dungeon and Dragons (D&D) club is starting up this year! We will meet the first Wednesday of each month from 2:15-4:00pm with Mr. Bergeron in room 1141, as well as the third Wednesday with Mr. Bakale in room 1317! We will have our first meeting/ session Wednesday 9/11 in the Drawing & Painting room (1141).

ALL players (experienced or not) are welcomed to join and build a world of their own!

Hope to see you there!

Interested in joining a club that helps provide impoverished children and families with necessities like proper nutrition and education?

The first meeting of the WHS UNICEF Club will be Thursday, September 12th in room 2308 at 2:10pm. We will discuss our Fall fundraiser plans as well as the schedule for future meetings. All are welcome!

Students, want to join the WHS UNICEF Club Google Classroom page? Anyone interested in joining should email Mrs. Hackett at vhackett@walpole.k12.ma.us or join our Google Classroom page directly using the code: 6n53b2n

The WHS Speech and Debate Team meets every Monday right after school in room 2124 until 3 PM. Debate students work with Mrs. Murray on Wednesday nights from 5-7 PM in room 2124. Come check out this award winning team!

We are looking forward to another sucessful year. Last year we had many outstanding individual and team accomplishments. This year we are looking forward to continuing the great tradition of success at Walpole High School.

All paperwork needs to be turned in to Coach Dowd's Office prior to tryouts. Please register on Family ID and turn in a physcial from the last 13 months. Impact exams will be coordinated with the athletic trainer and coaches during the first week of practice. Payments can be made on My School Bucks.

We would like to welcome Allison Cromwell, our new Athletic Trainer. We are very excited to have Allison on our team.

Walpole Timberwolves apparel check out the link below.

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/massachusetts/walpole/walpole-high-school

For a list of upcoming events please click on the following link: https://sites.google.com/a/walpole.k12.ma.us/athletics/

Email: rdowd@walpole.k12.ma.us
Phone: 508-660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleAD

Email: simbusch@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpolewhs.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 275 Common Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleHS