🌱

We are proud to recognize many Walpole students who were selected for honor music ensembles following successful auditions. These students have already represented Walpole at the SEMMEA Senior and Junior District Festivals, and will also participate in the upcoming MMEA All State Festival and SEMSBA Senior Festival in the upcoming days. Each festival includes a full day of intensive rehearsals, followed by dress rehearsals and a culminating concert performance on the second day.

The School Committee and Administration commend these students for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. We are proud of their achievements and wish them continued success as they represent the Walpole community.

We are also proud to recognize Walpole High School students who earned honors in the Scholastic Art Awards. The Scholastic Art Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. This outstanding accomplishment reflects the exceptional talent of our students, whose work was selected by a panel of creative professionals as among the most distinguished submissions in their peer group.

Walpole celebrates their creativity, dedication, and artistic achievement, and we take great pride in their success! To veiw all of their artwork click here.

James P., Walpole High School representative to the School Committee provided the following report:

• Academics and Planning: WHS recently hosted an 8th Grade Curriculum Night on March 5 to support families in planning for high school. SAT testing will take place at WHS on March 14. Information about course selection for the 2025–2026 school year will be presented at the PAC meeting on March 25. A virtual Work Study presentation is being held on March 12, and an Innovation Pathways Information Night will take place virtually on March 16. Juniors have the opportunity to apply for the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy through the World Language Department, and several scholarships are now available for seniors through SCOIR.

• Student Activities/Arts: The WHS Music Department held its Spring Concert on March 11 in the auditorium. The World Language Department is sponsoring a poster contest with submissions due April 2. The Ski Club will travel to Pat’s Peak on March 21, and the Film Festival will host its annual Recycling Drive on April 18. Best Buddies recently held a fundraiser at Farmer in the Dell and organized a spirited Inclusion Week. The Girl Up Club is also hosting a children’s book drive through April 6 to support an all-girls school.

• Athletics: Winter sports have concluded with several notable achievements. The track team placed second at the Division 3 State Championship, and several athletes will compete at the New Balance Nationals this weekend. Both the boys hockey team and girls basketball team advanced to the Elite 8. Spring sports registration closes March 13 at 3:00 PM.

• Finally, Friday, March 13, WHS will hold an Early Release Day featuring several enrichment opportunities. A Career Fair with over 60 volunteers will provide students with exposure to various career paths. Freshmen will participate in a “Reality Fair” focused on financial literacy and life skills, and sophomores and juniors will attend a presentation on substance use and addiction by Kevin Rosario.

1. Rwanda - Sue Wick and Lindsey Reichheld along with 2 WHS students reviewed their recent trip to Rwanda with the School Committee. The Rwanda slide show can be viewed below.

2. Out of State Field Trip - The School Committee voted to approve the following out-of-state field trip:

• Walpole High School students in grades 9-12 to Peru, April 14, 2027.

3. Music Curriculum Update - Timothy Feming K-12 Music Coordinator, provided a Music Curriculum update, Mr. Fleming's full report can be viewed here at time marker 17:45.

4. Art Curriculum Update - Sandy Allison, Art Department Chair at Walpole High School, delivered a Art Curriculum update. The full report can be viewed here at time marker 49:40.

5. Yellow Bus Late Fee Restructuring - Mr. Friscia provided an overview of the reasoning and considerations that led to the restructuring of late fees for yellow bus transportation registrations.

• Dr. Gough reported that she attended and presented at the Tri-County Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents at Newton City Hall. The program focused on the FY27 state budget, providing superintendents the opportunity to speak directly about the fiscal pressures facing districts, implementation challenges, and the investments necessary to best serve students. She thanked the local legislators and Adrienne Rogers for attending and noted that it was an important opportunity to advocate for Walpole students and schools.

• Dr. Gough shared that she and Dr. Hahn attended the middle school Unified Basketball game versus the Grade 8 Team Leaders, followed by the WHS Spring Music Concert. She noted that both events highlighted the strength of inclusive programming and the talent of Walpole students.

• WPS has a new digital display. Located on the second floor of Town Hall, the display highlights school events and celebrates School Committee recognitions.Community members are encouraged to visit Town Hall to view the display and celebrate student and staff accomplishments.

  
  

• Principals recently shared information regarding the DESE School and District Report Cards, which are now available on both the DESE website and the Walpole Public Schools homepage. The report cards provide multiple measures of school performance beyond MCAS scores, including student achievement, educator qualifications, and learning opportunities, and serve as tools to help families and the district better understand areas of strength and growth.

• Information regarding MCAS was provided. MCAS testing is an essential assessment that measures student progress, informs school accountability, and impacts our district’s DESE rating. Participation is required by federal and state law, and results can qualify students for state awards like the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the State Seal of Biliteracy. The data collected helps educators refine instructional strategies and allocate resources to better support student learning. Families can support students by encouraging a positive mindset, ensuring they get adequate rest and nutrition, and reinforcing the importance of doing their best. Together, we can help our students approach the MCAS with confidence and achieve success.
• An overview was provided of the upcoming events scheduled for March and early April. To stay informed about these events, please refer to the school and district calendars.
• The Extended Day Program is offering an April Vacation Camp for the upcoming school break on Tuesday, April 22 - Thursday, April 24. The Camp will take place at Boyden Elementary School and is open to all Walpole students in grades K - 5. To register, please complete the online registration form by Monday, April 3rd.

• Extended Day will also be running its Summer Program. Click HERE to access Summer Camp information. Click HERE to register for the 2026 Summer Camp.

• Dr. Gough reminded the Committee that Foxborough will host World Cup soccer matches this spring and summer, including two matches during the school day on March 26 and June 16. Increased regional traffic is expected to coincide with dismissal times. Walpole Public Schools is coordinating with the Walpole Police Department to ensure an increased presence during dismissal, along bus routes, and in areas of student travel to maintain safety and minimize disruption. Families have been advised that dismissal may not follow typical routines and that delays are possible. We encourage families to plan ahead to allow extra travel time and appreciate everyone's patience and flexibility.

• There is an early release tomorrow, March 13th.

1. Budget Update - Mr. Friscia reported that the Superintendent and school leadership met with the Finance Committee on March 3 to present the school budget. The committee supported the Town Administrator’s recommendation, leaving a remaining gap of $262,376 between the proposed school budget and the recommended budget. District leadership are currently exploring options to close the gap, including the possibility of additional state funding. Despite the remaining difference, district leadership expressed optimism that the gap can be addressed and noted that the district remains in a relatively strong financial position.

2. High School Project - The punch list for the Field House is being completed. Construction moves forward in the music and multipurpose areas. The Permanent Building Committee recently voted to approve the FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) package for the music/multipurpose and counseling areas, as well as the technology for the new music lab.

Information about the project can be found at the WHS Renovation Project webpage