Dear Families,

It's hard to believe that we're half-way through this school year. Term 3 began on Tuesday and students received new schedules in Homeroom. If your child did have a course change, then it most likely took place in their Related Arts classes. So while they're half-way through their full year courses, many started anew in a Related Arts class this week. Report Cards are scheduled to be published next Wednesday afternoon.

And, speaking of being half-way there, the new Walpole Middle School is a little more than 50% complete right now. I was able to attend a tour of the new building yesterday as a member of the Walpole Middle School Unity Committee. It was great to see what it looks like inside. What's the Unity Committee? It's a group of staff members from both buildings, along with Dr. Gough and Dr. Hahn, who have been meeting since November to make plans for the transition to one school building. We're creating plans to blend both the students and the staff so that our move to a new building will be as smooth as possible. We've mostly been working on the staff side of it but do have some plans in the works that will include students. When we have specific events with dates later this spring, we will be sure to share them with you and with the students.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!

Ed Connor

Private School Application Process

On occasion, staff members are asked to complete recommendation forms for students applying to private school(s). We recognize the importance of such requests, but ask that parents and students consider the following when making their request:

• Many of the applications are completed through an online application system. If this is the case for your child, the system will send an email request for recommendations from the counselor and teachers; however, we strongly encourage you to have your child speak to the school counselor and teacher(s) directly, as well, in order to personally request the completion of the forms.

• If your child is in 6th or 8th grade, please send the School Report forms to Katie Gingras (kgingras@walpole.k12.ma.us)

• If your child is currently in 7th grade, please send the School Report forms to Leah Cayer (lcayer@walpole.k12.ma.us).

• Give teachers and School Counselors at least a two week notice when requesting recommendations.

• You must still sign the ‘Transcript Release Form’ and have your child bring it to the School Counselor in order for transcripts to be released and forms to be completed.

• If the school that your child is applying to only accepts applications by mail, please have your child bring the Transcript Release Form to school along with $2.00 to cover the cost of postage.

Vocational School Application Process

If your child is applying to either Tri-County or Norfolk Agricultural High School, their applications will be sent directly to the school counselor to be completed. For more information about Norfolk Aggie please visit http://www.norfolkaggie.org/.

Priority deadline for applications to Tri-County was December 31, 2023. Tri-County will accept applications after that, but they cannot guarantee applicants will be considered in their first round of decisions. Interviews will be at Bird Middle School on February 14, 2024. For more information about Tri-County please visit https://www.tri-county.us/.

Please remember that parents, not students, must give medications directly to the nurse.

If your child requires the administration of medication during the school day or the use of specific medical devices, including Epipens, please make arrangements to drop them off directly to Nurse Ludwig. She can be reached at sludwig@walpole.k12.ma.us or by phone at (508) 660-7226.

We have successfully reunited a student with her eyeglasses! Please keep checking our pictures and remind your student to check the Lost & Found tables for anything they may have lost or misplaced. We have two tables each side of the cafeteria and one table outside the gym.

The water bottles and lunchboxes have been here since September so we will dispose of them Friday, January 26th, 2024.

• Wednesday 1/31 Term 2 Report Cards published in X2 Aspen
• Friday 2/9 Early Release Day - Students dismissed at 11:30 am

Unified sports has resumed in the New Year. We offer floor hockey/ dodge ball at the same time, same days, same place, Tues/ Wed 2:30-3:40 in the gym. If you child is still interested in participating, they should see Ms. Crawford in room 222.

• January 30 and 31

We have recently seen an uptick in student tardies, with many cars still in our driveway at 7:45. As we start Quarter 3, we would like to remind everyone that students are to be in their homeroom seats by 7:45 every morning. If a student is tardy three times in a quarter, they will earn a detention in the office. We invite you to join us in reminding students of the importance of being present for the start of the day, and how that time can be spent getting prepared and organized for the day’s classes. If you feel that your student would benefit from a meeting with Mr. O’Leary in order to learn about strategies and techniques for getting to school on time, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Please remember to send in a note with your student if they need to be dismissed early from BMS. Students can give the note to their HR teacher or drop it off in the Main Office when they arrive. By doing so, students will then be placed on our "Daily Bulletin", and will be excused from class by their teacher at the proper dismissal time. This will reduce the amount of interruptions caused by calling into the classroom to send down students.

We realize that there are many occasions when your child may need to be dismissed. We prefer if you can please try and dismiss between classes, if possible. The optimal dismissal times for that are: 8:50, 9:45, 10:19, 11:14, 12:37, 1:32.

If you have informed us in advance of a dismissal, please telephone the front office when you arrive so we can call your student down and know that you are waiting outside. We do not want to send any student outside if their ride isn't waiting for them. We ask that if you are dismissing your child and no note or email has been sent ahead of time, please come into the front office and sign them out.

If you have any questions, please contact bmsoffice@walpole.k12.ma.us

When dropping off or picking up students during dismissal and arrival time, please make sure to only do so at the bottom of the driveway. I ask this out of a concern for the safety of students since they would have to cross what can be a very busy driveway at those times. Your cooperation is appreciated.

What is homework club?

Homework Club is a quiet work environment proctored by a staff member in the Media from 2:30-3:40 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s a great place for students to come after school, get work done, and maybe even not have any homework to do when they get home!

How do students sign up?

They don’t have to! Students show up immediately after school and sign in on any Tuesday or Thursday sessions they care to attend.

Do students always have to go?

No! Students can just come as needed.

How do students get home?

If they are a bus student, they can take the late bus home. If they get a ride, their ride can come at 3:40 or sooner. If they are a walker, they can walk home at 3:40, or sooner if that is ok with your family.

Who is it for? How much does it cost?

It’s for every BMS student, and it is free thanks to a donation by our PAC.

Last year, Walpole Public Schools began using a new mass communications system for attendance. This system allows for improved messaging between schools and families for automated notifications of school absences as well as for more time-sensitive alerts like unscheduled school closings.

If your child is absent and we have not received a phone call or message from you regarding that absence, then an automated attendance call will activate in order to alert you about the absence.

If you find that the system contacts incorrect phone numbers or email addresses, please contact the school’s main office with updated information.

This year Mrs. O'Malley is splitting time between Bird Middle School and Johnson Middle School. Below are the days and times students can see Mrs. O'Malley to check out a book, ask for a book recommendation, or receive extra help with research.

Days 1,2,3 - Mrs. O'Malley is at BMS

Days 5,6,7 - Mrs. O'Malley is at JMS

Day 4 - Mrs. O'Malley alternates the two schools.

• Before school Days 1,2,3: Check out a book, read, do homework, study. 7:20 - 7:45 am

• X block Days 1&3: Visit the library to check out a book.

• Working lunch Days 1 & 2: Bring your lunch & read a book, do homework, or study

Remember eBooks & audiobooks are always accessible through SORA on the Chromebook.

As a reminder, all student meals (breakfast and lunch) are free of charge this school year. Find out what's being served by checking out the Middle School Menu.

Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department

The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the spring 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 2 will run February 5 to June 14. Registration is open Friday, January 12th through Monday, January 29th.

For more information, visit:

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

To register, visit:

https://students.arbitersports.com/walpole-public-schools/private-music-lessons-2023-2024-session-ii

For questions, email:

Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us

The wait is over! Blingo Bingo SignUp Genius is LIVE! Grab your friends for a fun night out and maybe come home with an amazing prize!

SIGNUPS

Please note that there are sign ups for individual spots as well as for tables of 10. Only sign up for a table of 10 if you are paying for the full table in one payment.

Individual spots are $50 each and a table of 10 is $500 (one individual is responsible for paying and then listing the people at their table in the comment section or via email to pcrgray@yahoo.com). Those sitting at a said table are not responsible for reserving a seat via signup genius.

PAYMENTS

Payments are needed within 2 days of your sign up. Venmo at @BMS-PAC (comment "Bingo" for your payment)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4EA9AC22A20-47275687-walpole

If you have any questions or general concerns, please contact Principal Connor at econnor@walpole.k12.ma.us or Assistant Principal O'Leary at joleary@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Email: bmsoffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/bms
Location: 625 Washington St, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7226