WHS eNotes

Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:

With growing attention on AI tools and the potential for student misuse, it’s important to keep perspective: the vast majority of students choose not to cheat, even when given the opportunity.

A recent Review of Educational Research article by Li Zhao (Hangzhou Normal University) and colleagues offers helpful insight. Their meta-analysis of 80 studies conducted across 27 countries - from kindergarten through university - found that students’ motivational orientation plays a key role in academic integrity.

• Students with a performance orientation - those who compare themselves to peers and focus on competition - are more likely to cheat.
  
  

• Students with a learning orientation - those who value the subject matter and focus on growth - are less likely to cheat.
  
  

The researchers also found that cultural factors, such as levels of individualism, power distance, avoidance of uncertainty, short-term orientation, and masculinity, can influence these tendencies.

As we continue navigating AI in education, this research serves as a reminder that fostering a strong learning culture may be our most effective safeguard against academic dishonesty.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

Thank you to those who joined the Class of 2027 presentation of College 101: Planning & Process. If you were unable to attend, this is the link to watch the presentation: https://youtu.be/fOiaLgICkBk

Attention Seniors: The following scholarships are now available. Please check the scholarship list found on your SCOIR drive.

James Lavoie Essay Contest

The Larry Rooney Jr. Memorial Scholarship

AFL-CIO Scholarship

Big Y Foods Inc. Scholarship

The Stephen Philips Memorial Scholarship Fund

Some schools in our area are seeing an uptick in scams targeting schools and parents. These scams will pretend to be from a principal or school official advertising a "special offer."

Please be aware that all authentic electronic communications from our schools and district will be delivered to you one of these channels:

• our official email addresses (someone@walpole.k12.ma.us)
• TalkingPoints
• Walpole Public Schools smartphone app
• our Apptegy/Thrillshare texting platform

If you are ever unsure of a message that seems to come from one of our schools, please contact the main office or email helpdesk@walpole.k12.ma.us for confirmation.

Who: Middle & High School Students
Where: Chez Vous Skating Rink
11 Rhoades St, Dorchester Center, MA 02124
When: Friday, December 12, 20205
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Come skate, laugh, and connect with friends from across our communities!

This event is free, and food will be provided.

Transportation:
Buses will transport students from Walpole Middle School and Walpole High School to Chez Vous Skating Rink.

Because this event is for students only, parents are not required to attend.

Please note: Walpole students will return to WMS or WHS and must be picked up by a parent/guardian by 2:45 pm

WHS sign up link WHS Google Form

Next week the nurses will start the state mandated screenings for all 9th &10th grade students (vision, hearing, height, weight, & posturals) If you would like to opt your student out of these screenings please email Nurses

Hwhite@walpole.k12.us

Kbyda@walpole.k12.ma.us

The Photography Club will meet on December 14th. The theme is Desserts! It's the holiday season so there should be plenty of desserts and cookies to take pictures of so show us some of those delicious baked goods.

The Photography Club will also be running its annual Photography Contest. The contest will run from November 25 - December 16th. The theme is "Bug's Eye View" Think of yourself as a bug really small and on the ground. How does a bug see up above? Bug's Eye View is getting your camera low to the ground and creating an image by making the subject appear much larger.

If you would like more information contact jdagostino@walpole.k12.ma.us

Follow our instagram to see the pictures from the club: @photography_whs123

The Spanish club, French Club and PM club will be traveling into the Snowport in the Boston Seaport District on December 12th after school.

The next meeting of the Girl Up Club will on Tuesday, December 16th, after school in Mrs. Rafferty’s room (3129). During this meeting, we’ll continue to address our December theme, “Menstrual Education and Equity”. For those interested in joining the club, the Google Classroom code is jp2m4wez. We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to all the debaters who competed at Lexington High on 11/22:

Bravo to the students who had winning records:

Aruhya Panchakshari and Hemant Selvamurugan who went 4-1, earning them a medal in Varsity Public Forum Debate.
Luke Moses and Sawyer Young who went 3-2, earning them a medal in Varsity PF Debate.
Shaurya Panchal who went 3-2 and earned in a medal in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

A huge thank you to Debate Coach Trent for leading the debaters and judging as well as Debate President Ramu Muthukaruppan and Team Secretary Mariya Joji for judging and supporting the team. Another big thanks goes out to parent volunteers: Vijay Moses and Joji Avirachan.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: The speech and debate holiday gift card raffle basket is on sale! Support Walpole Speech and Debate by purchasing raffle tickets from team members! We will also be selling at some lunches during the first two weeks of December, or pop by room 2124 to purchase!

The WHS National Honor Society is collecting gently used coats of all sizes now until December break to support Coats for Kids and Families. Please drop off donations in the box in the main lobby.

It's time to send in your pictures and order your copy of the 2026 Pets of Walpole High Calendar! Enjoy displaying hundreds of adorable pet photos and support local animal rescues at the same time! Due by 12/10 with calendar delivery in time for December break. Makes a great gift!

Click here for details: Calendar order form and photo submission

The WHS Chamber Orchestra meets every Thursday from 2:15-3:15 PM in room 1101. This is a good opportunity for students who play a stringed instrument, but are unable to fit Orchestra into their school schedule. Please contact Mr. Bedrossian or Gwen Haferd for any information.

"The Walpole High School National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is looking for any requests for projects or services where our members can contribute their time, skills, and energy. NAHS is a selected group of creative, talented, and conscientious students dedicated to using their skills to support the community through art. Please fill out this form (https://forms.gle/4DpXdE3m7aaTTQE27) if you or anyone in your community is looking for help with bringing their creative projects to life!"

SENIOR Parents & Guardians: Do you want to celebrate your Class of 2026 Senior with a Recognition Ad in the yearbook? Please follow the directions in the link to design and purchase an ad. Please see the attached PDF for more details!

Please check in with our Class of 2026 Information site for ALL info regarding Senior year, including Yearbook due dates and updates!

Don't forget to check out Timber Talk! Walpole High School's student run recap of all the sports we can fit into our show.

Timber Talk s1e7 10 21 2025

Please like and subscribe so we can build our viewership.

YouTube channel:

WHS Timber TV - YouTube

Winter sports tryouts took place earlier this week and the season is now underway!

A reminder to all athletes and their parents/guardians, the athletic fee must be paid before the athlete can get a uniform and play in a game. MySchoolBucks is open to pay online or you can pay by check (made payable to Town of Walpole). Please see below for the fee schedule

Winter Athletic Fees- $375 for Boys/Girls Hockey and Gymnastics and $275 for the other sports.

The Athletic website is located on the High School homepage. On this page, you will find forms, registration instructions, online payments, Twitter information, coaches' contact information, and an athletic calendar with the daily game schedules.

David St. Martin

Athletic Director

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: dstmartin@walpole.k12.ma.us

Phone: 508-660-7257
Twitter: @WalpolehighADSM

Walpole High School

Email: simbusch@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/whs
Location: 275 Common Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleHS

Instagram: @WalpoleHighSchool