OPR Weekly Update
April 11, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
The OPR PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) is a very active and important part of our school community. The PAC's specific purpose is to enhance the school community and learning environment through volunteer and fundraising efforts; and connect, engage and inform parents.
The OPR PAC does incredible work with many volunteers and active supporters to add to the OPR community. The Officers of the PAC serve one-year terms from July 1st to June 30th. The PAC is currently looking for interested candidates for the following positions:
- President - Develops agendas, presides over all meetings, oversees financial affairs, responsible for general PAC management, ensure that all decisions of the quorum shall be implemented, and serve as the main liaison with the Principal of OPR.
- Vice President - Assist the President in developing agendas for all meetings, overseeing financial affairs, and general management of the PAC.
- Secretary/Clerk - Responsible for record keeping and correspondence, record and distribute the minutes of all proceedings, provide notice of all meetings, maintain the archive of minutes and by-laws and distribute mail.
- Treasurer - Overall responsibility for the funds, disburse approved funds; make monthly financial reports to the members, report bi-monthly on the execution of the annual budget, complete and file taxes and annual report.
If you are considering a position, please know that the current Board seeks to facilitate a smooth and supported transition and will be available moving forward. If you are interested or have any questions, contact the PAC through email or Mr. Barner by phone or email.
Please enjoy this week's OPR Video News: THIS WEEK
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
April
14 OPR After School Enrichment Classes begin this week.
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.
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."
Art with Ms. Kroll
Grade K:
Kindergarten artists have wrapped up their study of the Element of Art: Color and have mastered what a primary and secondary color is. Each student learned how to mix colors to create new ones using tempera paint. Students are now in the final stages of their Kandinsky-inspired masterpieces which feature a grid-like series of concentric circles.
Grade 1:
Students have been learning about the Element of Art: Texture and how there are two categories of texture which are real/actual and implied. First grade artists looked at the intricate weaving work of the Quechua Tribe, an indigenous group of South America, and learned how they use weaving to tell stories. Each artist is in the process of creating their own paper weaving masterpiece with implied texture using crayons, plastic texture sheets, and construction paper as well as white colored pencils for added detail.
Grade 2:
Students are working with the Element of Art: Texture and reviewed how there are two categories of texture which are real/actual and implied. Second grade artists looked at yarn paintings from the Huichol tribe in Mexico and learned about their cultural importance as well as how they are used in storytelling. Students are making their own yarn paintings with cardboard, glue, and various colors of yarn that feature a symbol or image that is important to them.
Grade 3:
Third grade artists are studying the Element of Art: Shape and reviewed how there are two categories of shape which are geometric and organic. Third grade artists studied a brief history of architecture and looked at a variety of architectural styles. Each student sketched out a cityscape design featuring a specific theme and/or location. They are using these designs to create their cityscape collage masterpieces which are made with construction paper and oil pastels for added detail to the backgrounds.
Grade 4:
Fourth graders are studying the Element of Art: Line and reviewed how there are a variety of lines that can be used in artmaking. They looked at contemporary artists, Mahi Abdul and Olivia Kemp, who create intricately detailed ink drawings featuring imaginative creatures and worlds. Students were asked to draw and design Zentangle-style artworks featuring their names. They used Sharpies and colored pencils to create their masterpieces.
Grade 5:
Students are finishing up the Element of Art: Form and are now moving on to the Element of Art: Line. Fifth grade artists will review how there are a variety of lines that can be used in artmaking. They will look at contemporary artists, Mahi Abdul and Olivia Kemp, who create intricately detailed ink drawings featuring imaginative creatures and worlds. Students will be asked to draw and design Zentangle-style artworks featuring their hands. They used Sharpies and pencils to create their masterpieces.
Reading with Mrs. Driscoll & Mrs. Segal
March Madness Book Tournament Winner!
We have a winner! After a thrilling month of reading and voting, we’re excited to announce that, How the Cookie Crumbled, has taken the top spot in this year's March Madness Book Tournament! This delightful book has captured the hearts of students with its engaging narrative, vibrant illustrations, and inspiring story of Ruth Wakefield, the woman behind the iconic chocolate chip cookie!
A Little History on Ruth Wakefield
Ruth Wakefield was actually born right here in East Walpole Massachusetts! How exciting is it that Ruth's story began right here in our community? It is easy to see why this story became a school favorite.
She was a remarkable woman and inventor, best known for creating the first chocolate chip cookie recipe. In the 1930s, while running the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, Ruth added broken pieces of chocolate to her butter cookie dough, unintentionally inventing what would become the world-famous chocolate chip cookie. Her innovative recipe quickly gained popularity, and the Toll House brand became synonymous with the beloved treat.
Ruth’s story is one of creativity and determination, showing how one small idea can change the world in delicious ways! How the Cookie Crumbled takes readers through Ruth’s journey, her love for baking, and her unintentional creation of the chocolate chip cookie that has since become a staple in kitchens worldwide. We are thrilled that our students enjoyed learning about this history through the pages of this fantastic book. What a great month we had reading about so many inspiring women who have helped shape our world.
We hope that this upcoming spring break provides you with the perfect opportunity to enjoy some relaxing reading time together where your family can dive into the adventures of some new books. Don’t forget that the Walpole Public Library is a great place to explore and find great books for free! https://www.walpolelibrary.org/
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.
