OPR Weekly Update
September 22, 2023
Dear OPR Families,
We are looking forward to welcoming parents and guardians to Old Post Road School's Open House on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023. Teachers will be sharing curriculum expectations along with information specific to the classroom. Parents and guardians will also have time to ask general questions. Any questions specific to a child should be reserved for a more confidential setting.
In addition to seeing your child's classroom teacher, please stop by to see our specialists in their spaces to learn more about their curriculum. Our specialists include the Art Teacher, Music Teacher, PE Teacher, STEM/Media Teacher, School Counselors, Literacy Specialists, Multilingual Language Teacher, Digital Learning Coach, and Special Education Teachers such as MSNs and Speech/Language.
The Open Houses at all of the Walpole Elementary Schools are for Parents and Guardians only. Students, other family members, and guests should not attend. Thank you for your understanding.
Schedule:
6:00-6:30 Families with Last Name Beginning with A-L*
6:45-7:15 Families with Last Name Beginning with M-Z*
*If you have more than one child, email the teacher for an exception to the assigned times.
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Instagram: OLDPOSTROADSCHOOL_WALPOLE
Twitter: @oprschool
Dates to Remember
SEPTEMBER
25 OPR After School Enrichment Classes Begin this Week
27 OPR Open House for Parents and Guardians; Families with last name beginning with A-L at 6-6:30 and last names M-Z from 6:45-7:15.
OCTOBER
4 International Walk Bike and Roll to School Day! Celebrate by walking, biking, or rolling to school with your family!
6 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49
9 No School - Columbus Day
11 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab/Media Center at 7:00 PM. All are welcome!
11 School Council Meeting in the OPR STEM Lab at 3:05 PM
25 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 6:00-8:00 PM by Appointment
27 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49
27 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 1:00-3:00 PM by Appointment
31 OPR Annual Halloween Parade! 8:45 AM Families are welcome to watch the parade out front, weather permitting.
NOVEMBER
2 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 6:00-8:00 PM by Appointment
3 Student Picture Retake Day
8 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab/Media Center at 7:00 PM. All are welcome!
10 No School - Veteran's Day Observed
OPR SCHOOL HOURS
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.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with Ms. Bishop and Mrs. Murray
We are excited about the return of students to school and are enthusiastic about the upcoming academic year! Our School Counselor, Mrs. Murray (formerly known as Ms. Pereira), will be providing support to students in Grades K, 2, and 4, while our School Adjustment Counselor, Ms. Bishop, will be working with students in Grades 1, 3, and 5. For the month of September, our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) theme is "Getting Acquainted." Throughout this month, we will be introducing the important role of our counselors, and students will have the opportunity to explore the concepts of community building and setting school expectations.
In kindergarten, we'll focus on teaching Whole Body Listening, which includes reading "Howard B. Wigglebottom: Learns to Listen" by Howard Binkow. Following the reading, we'll engage in a fun game of Simon Says to reinforce and practice essential listening skills.
In first grade we will be reading “Do Unto Otters” by Laurie Keller. The book delivers an important message about respecting oneself and others. The book highlights how to be a good friend and neighbor by simply following the “Golden Rule.” Students will be asked what they do to show others respect.
In the second grade, we'll begin by reading "Lacey Walker, Non-Stop Talker" by Christianne Jones. Following the reading, students will work on a worksheet designed to illustrate how they can become better listeners.
In Grade 3 we will be focusing on responsibility and what it means to be responsible. Responsibility is when you can be relied on to do the things that are expected or required of you. You do what you say and you say what you do. Students will be asked to make a responsibility ladder, with the lowest level responsibilities on the bottom (I hang up my coat) and the highest level responsibilities on the top (I use kind words and safe actions with others).
In fourth grade, our focus will be on fostering a sense of community both within the classroom and throughout the school. Following this, we will engage in an interactive community-building game.
In fifth grade we will be establishing a community within the classroom, throughout the school, and within our community. To support this notion, students will be engaging in team building activities.
Music with Ms. Yee
OPR musicians have kicked off another year making magical music utilizing movement, singing and playing instruments.They are adjusting well to classroom routines and expectations while reviewing skills and concepts. I again look forward to providing a variety of musical experiences for your child this year. Please see recent grade level learning activities below.
Ms. Yee
Grade K -
Singing : We learned two echo songs called "Charlie over the Ocean" and a song from Mexico called "Bate Bate". Repeating short patterns of song parts (echo songs) help us sing more accurately.
Movement: Playing "Apple Tree'' and "Rickety, Rackety'' helped us keep a steady beat. We enjoyed learning everyone’s name while playing these fun learning activities
Picture books: We read the story, “Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb” by Al Perkins. We will accompany the story with drums next class.
Grade 1 -
Singing and Movement: We learned an American folksong called “Down Came a Lady”. We reviewed "Apple Tree" from Grade K and will learn to write the rhythm of the song next class. In celebration of National Hispanic Month we started to learn a new dance called “La Raspa”. The lively dance had an A and B part and was super fun!
Instruments: We started to play xylophones using known songs from Grade K. We enjoyed this very much!
Grade 2 -.
Singing and Movement: We are learning about folk songs and oral traditions. We had fun learning two American folk songs called "Down Came a Lady" and "Chicken on the Fencepost". We will add xylophones to accompany the songs next week.
Instruments: We learned a rap called "Up the ladder". We added a cool rhythm pattern using sticks to accompany the rap. In celebration of National Hispanic Month we learned a partner game in Spanish called "Chocolate". The game reinforced echo singing and AAB patterns.
Grade 3 -
Singing, Instruments and Movement: We learned a game from West Africa called "Funga Alafia". The Swahili text translates; “Hello and Welcome!” We added xylophones to this fun double circle mixer. We will add African drums next lesson!
Literacy: We are learning to read BAG pitches on the staff so we can begin to play the recorder next month.
In celebration of National Hispanic Month we read the poem "Drum Dream Girl" by Margarita Engle. We learned about Cuban musician Millo Castro Zaldarriaga and how her courage changed music and why it's important to never give up.
Grade 4 -
Movement: We had fun learning two partner game songs called “Sasha” and “Los Machetes”. "Sasha" is from Russia and "Los Machetes'' is from Mexico. Both games reinforced ABC form.
Recorder: We reviewed notes BAG. We played two new songs called “Folk Rock B” and “Spy Thriller”. We will learn a new note and song next week.
In celebration of National Hispanic Month we read the poem "Drum Dream Girl" by Margarita Engle. We learned about Cuban musician Millo Castro Zaldarriaga and how her courage changed music and why it's important to never give up.
Grade 5 -
Movement: We started the year by playing a partner stick game from Europe. The game was challenging and lively. The game reinforced A/B form and tempo.
Instruments and Literacy: We started our first unit of study focusing on rhythm. We used drum pads and sticks to read and play standard notation. We enjoyed reading and creating patterns to accompany the songs “We Will Rock You” and “Africa”. We will compose our own music raps next month using a variety of rhythms and learn a new game called "Poison Rhythm".
News from the Nurse
Fall school session is now in full swing! Unfortunately, so are the germs! We have seen an increase in many different illnesses in the last few weeks. The following article pretty much sums up what we are seeing and what to expect.
Read here:Kids were hit hard in last year's tripledemic. Pediatricians share what to expect fall 2023
There are times when a student should remain at home for his/her own welfare and for the protection of other students.
The following criteria can be used to determine when a child should remain at home:
Has a cold in the contagious stage (first few days)
Sore throat and swollen neck glands accompanied by a fever
Undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions
Earache, red eyes or drainage from eyes
Any communicable disease (see paragraph below)
Fever of 100 degrees or higher during the past 24 hours
Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
If your student develops a communicable disease, e.g., chicken pox, strep throat, scarlet fever or fifth disease, please notify the school nurse. This will enable us to monitor your child's progress and other student's exposure. Students should remain at home a minimum of one day following the resolution of an acute illness. Please check your child’s temperature; a child should be "fever free" for twenty-four hours without taking a fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Advil before returning to school.
Remember that the essentials of good health are good nutrition, plentiful fluids, regular exercise and plenty of rest.
The school nurse should be notified by the parent/guardian of any:
Serious injury, illness, or hospitalization
Planned surgery
Communicable diseases such as chicken pox, strep throat, scarlet fever or fifth disease
New diagnosis or change in your child’s health status
Fracture, sprain, stitches, cast, or crutches (A Physician note is required for crutches and/or a wheelchair to be used on the school premises.)
New medication and/or dosing change.
Need to be excused from Physical Education.
Head Lice
In order to minimize the spread of infectious disease and to provide for a safe environment, the WPS Health Care Policy has been created to assist you. Please review this document as the nurses are required to adhere to these guidelines to help support the health of the entire school community. WPS Illness Protocol
Some key points of the illness guidelines about when to keep your child at home include the following:
Child has had a fever greater than 100 within the last 24 hours (fever should be under 100 for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications before returning to school)
Child has experienced vomiting/diarrhea within the last 24 hours
Child has a communicable disease
Child has an upper respiratory illness with significant coughing and/or nasal discharge
Please contact the Health Office with any concerns or questions!
Kindly,
Bonnie Kowalsky, RN
508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
Here is a link to the WPS Health Services website. 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.
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.
Bay State Textiles Recycling - New Law in Massachusetts
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.
Thank you for donating your textiles in the Bay State Collection Bin in the OPR parking lot. The collections resulted in the following:
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
January 2023 - $102.00
February 2023 - $83.25
March 2023 - $95.50
April 2023 - $93.00
May 2023 - $88.20
June 2023 - $126.90
July 2023 - $100.20
August 2023 - $92.40
WPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
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
