OPR Weekly Update
September 19, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Curriculum Night. It was wonderful to see so many families in our classrooms connecting with teachers and learning more about the year ahead. We are grateful for your continued partnership in supporting our students’ learning.
A special thank you as well to those who supported our PAC by purchasing mums outside during the event. Your generosity helps strengthen our school community and directly benefits our students.
Our OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program registration is open until Wednesday at 4 PM. These classes are always very popular and some are already full. See the complete information and registration link here: OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program
Watch the OPR Video News from 9/19/25: OPRNewsSept19
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
Highlights for the Week Ahead
We're looking forward to a five-day school week and using uninterrupted instructional time to teach and learn!
September
24 OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program Registration Closes at 4:00 PM
29 OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program Begins this Week
October
1 OPR School Council Meeting in the STEM Lab at 3:30
2 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM
8 International Walk to School Day
10 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.
10 PAC Sponsored Stay on the Half Day
13 No School - Columbus Day
22 Gr. 3 Field Docent Trip to DeCordova Museum
24 Student Picture Retake Day
29 Gr. 5 Team Building Trip to Tree Top Adventures
31 OPR Halloween Parade at 9:15
November
5 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00-8:00 PM
11 No School - Veterans Day
13 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5:00-7:00 PM
14 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 1:00-3:30 PM
14 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.
18 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5:00-7:00 PM
26 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.
27 No School - Happy Thanksgiving!
28 No School
Music with Ms. Yee
Welcome back to music at OPR! Our young musicians began the year with joyful music-making through singing, movement, and playing instruments. They are adapting well to classroom routines and expectations while reviewing skills and concepts. Please see recent grade level learning activities below.
Ms. Yee
Grade K/1
Singing & Movement: Students in Kindergarten learned two echo songs called “Charlie Over the Ocean” and “Bate, Bate” . Echo songs help singers sing more accurately. Some other favorite songs were “Apple Tree”, "Stop and Go" (K) “Cut the Cake” & “Bo Diddley” (1st).
Instruments: Students in Grade K added rhythm sticks to a variety of musical selections while keeping the steady beat. Students in Grade 1 learned how to play xylophones and kept a steady beat to known songs.
Grade 2/3
Singing & Movement: Some favorite songs include “Chicken on a fencepost”, “Down Came a Lady” (2nd) “Funga Alafia” and “Alabama Gal” (3rd).
Instruments: Students accompanied songs playing xylophones and a variety of classroom instruments. They will play different patterns of rhythms to known songs in the weeks to come.
Grade 4/5
Singing and Movement: Some favorite songs include a Russian folk song called “Sasha” (4th) and a Japanese song called “Sei, Sei” (5th).
Creating and Composing: Students are in the process of writing a 16 beat rap called “Rap My Name”. They will create a beatboxing loop to accompany their compositions in the next few lessons.
Instruments: Students were introduced to hand drumming techniques using tubano drums, playing a variety of rhythms.
SEL (Social Emotional Learning) with Mrs. Convey & Mrs. Murray
Hello OPR Families!
Welcome back! Mrs. Convey and I are so happy to see everyone’s smiling faces in the classroom. Over the past three weeks, we have been busy building rapport with your children—joining them at recess and lunch, which are the best times to observe and connect during unstructured moments.
Next week (the week of the 22nd), we will begin our SEL (Social Emotional Learning) lessons. Each classroom will receive a 30-minute lesson twice a month.
For the last two weeks of September, we will be focusing on:
What the job of a School Counselor is
Ways we can help students
How students can find us
A preview of the topics they will be learning this year
We are excited to work with you in supporting your children and ensuring they have a wonderful school year!
Mrs. Murray, School Counselor (Grades K, 2, and 4)
Mrs. Convey, School Adjustment Counselor (Grades 1, 3, and 5)
News from the Nurse
Special Request from the Health Office
Dear Families,
Our school's health office maintains a supply of spare clothing for students who need a change of clothes during the school day. This is helpful for spills, playground mishaps, or other unexpected accidents.
Unfortunately, our current supply is very low, and we are in need of donations to replenish it. We would greatly appreciate any donations of gently used tops, bottoms, and sweatshirts in good, clean condition, especially in children's sizes 8 through 14. We also welcome donations of new socks and underwear of all sizes.
Your generosity helps us ensure that every student can feel comfortable, safe, and supported at school. Donations can be sent to the main office at any time.
Thank you for your support!
Calling All Nurses!
Are you a nurse looking for a unique way to get involved at school? The WPS nursing team is seeking nurses to join us as field trip nurses. This is a wonderful opportunity to accompany your child's class on a field trip while helping our school!
If you are interested in this paid substitute role, please apply using the link below.
Thank you for your consideration. WPS Substitute Opportunities
Kindly,
Bonnie Kowalsky, M.Ed, BSN, RN
Old Post Road School Nurse
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
phone: 508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
bkowalsky@walpole.k12.ma.us
OPR PAC MEETING
Thursday, October 2nd
7:00 PM PAC Meeting
Held in the STEM Lab or connect virtually. PAC Meeting Link:
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1O64LBIJZZJSU?ref_=wl_share
Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
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. https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/
Box Tops for Education
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.
Follow the OPR PAC on Social Media
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:
2024 Calendar Year Total - $1182.30
January 2025 - $210
February 2025 - $108.60
March 2025 - $128.40
April 2025 - $88.20
May 2025 - $192.00
June 2025 - $111.60
July 2025 - $174.60
August 2025 - $196.80
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.
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
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
508-660-7219
Arrival: 8:50-9:00 AM
Tardy Bell is at 9:00 AM. (Students must be signed in at the office by an adult if tardy.)
Early Release Dismissal: 12:25 (Dismissal begins at 12:19)
Dismissal: 3:30 PM (Dismissal begins at 3:24 PM)
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.
