OPR Weekly Update
March 7, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
The Stars of OPR were shining last night at the Student Council Talent Show. Thank you to the talent, their families, the audience, the parent volunteers and OPR staff volunteers who made the event possible. It's a memorable experience that means so much to the performers.
Next week is Parent-Teacher Conferences by appointment for all families. Collaboration brings success for your children, our students.
OPR Video News:
Have a super 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
Tuesday, Thursday or Friday - Parent Teacher Conferences by appointment. Every family should have a meeting with the teacher next week.
Friday is a grade 3 author visit: David Biedrzycki. Thanks PAC!
Friday is the Student Council Spirit Day: Hawaiian Day! Dress like Hawaii. We'll be providing all students with a Hawaiian Lei to wear if they choose.
Friday is an early release with dismissal at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
Friday is PAC Blingo Night!
March
11 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5-7:00 PM
13 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5-7:00 PM
14 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 1-3:00 PM
14 Early Release at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
14 Student Council Spirit Day: Hawaiian Day!
14 PAC sponsored Grade 3 Author Visit: David Biedrzycki
14 PAC Blingo Night for Adults
17 PAC sponsored Harney Irish Step School Performance
18 PAC sponsored Grade 2 Author/Cartoonist Visit: Skip SanGiacomo
26 Grade 1 Field Trip to Moose Hill (rescheduled from last week)
28 Student Council Spirit Day: Dress Like a Teacher Day!
28 Early Release at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
28 PAC sponsored Spring Dance: K, 1, 2 - 5:30-7:15 and Gr. 3, 4, 5 - 7:45-9:30
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Sign Up Now!
Parent-Teacher Conferences are in March. In order to best meet the needs of all of our families and allow for a little more flexibility with our conference scheduling, we are using Google Appointments for all teachers for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences. Conferences will take place on March 11th between 5:00 - 7:00pm, March 13th between 5:00 - 7:00pm, and on the Early Release Day on March 14th between 1:00 - 3:00pm. All conferences are in person. If families need a virtual conference, they should reach out directly to the teacher to arrange that option.
Below is the spreadsheet that contains the links to each individual teacher's appointment calendar. Families should use those links to sign up for a conference with any of the teachers listed. Grade 4 and 5 families will make an appointment with the homeroom teacher. If you are having trouble with the links or finding a time that works, please reach out to the individual teacher.
Report Cards - Now Viewable in the Aspen Family Portal
As of Friday, January 31st, families have access to their child's Elementary Standard Based Report Cards and Special Education Progress Report (if applicable) in the Aspen Family Portal.
The Term I report card communicates student progress toward meeting end-of-the-year learning standards. The slight, but important, change made several years ago to the descriptors of the Academic Performance Levels is the phrase “at this time”. The purpose of including this phrase is to share with families where their students are academically, at this time of the year.
Teachers assess student performance against these learning standards, which are specific and observable grade-level skills. Our report cards reflect the learning standards as outlined in the current Massachusetts State Frameworks. Teachers assess by measuring individual student performance against the identified concrete learning standards, rather than in relation to the performance of other students.
Please check out the Parent/Guardian Guide by CLICKING HERE
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."
WPS February Attendance Newsletter
From the WPS Office of Student Support & Attendance:
Please see the February Newsletter: February Newsletter: What percentage of students have 5 or fewer absences after 100 days?
Edward Connor
Dean of Student Support & Attendance
Walpole Public Schools
508-660-7257 ext. 5020
STEM with Mrs. Morris
STEM is still collecting clean recyclable materials for a special project and would love your help! If you have any empty cereal boxes, snack boxes, or similar cardboard packaging, please send them in with your child.
Please ensure that the items are clean and free from food residue so they are ready for use. This will help us create a fun and eco-friendly learning experience for the students!
Thank you for your support!
We have been coding a lot this past month in STEM. Kindergarten has been spending more time becoming more comfortable with block coding by using online coding programs called Rotocodo and Kodable. They have been practicing building the correct algorithms to solve a variety of mazes with different characters.
First grade and second grade have also been working on block coding by using Scratch Jr. They have created programs about Katherine Johnson, the Jan Brett story The Mitten, and even a Groundhog Day themed program.
Third, fourth, and fifth grade students have been spending time using their knowledge of block coding to create a synchronized dance for our Dash robots. Then, they showed their skills off to their classmates!
Digital Learning with Mrs. Milnamow
Many and varied digital projects continue throughout the school and students are developing more independence and digital creativity at all ages. Students are engaging with technology in a safe, respectful, responsible manner. We are making and editing videos, designing presentations, writing books, creating animated pieces, and so much more. Students also complete work daily using meaningful learning platforms to practice important skills and strategies.
At this point in the year, we are taking some time to revisit digital citizenship expectations as well as digital privacy and safety. Students are constantly learning about how to participate in a digital environment in a way that allows everyone’s work to be respected and appreciated. They also practice working collaboratively with technology. Additionally, teachers guide students to safely search for content online that is age and school appropriate. Students are also expected to care for their devices and protect them from damage so they are ready for use in the learning environment.
One topic that has needed specific attention in several grades is password privacy. Students are expected to keep their password private. They may share their passwords with their guardians only. This is an important lesson for everyone, and we want to make sure students are developing awareness and understanding of why keeping passwords private is imperative.
With spring peeking through, it is also a good time to revisit the technology plans you have in place at home. As the weather begins to warm up, consider a shift to less screen time and more outdoor time for your family. Spending time outside has numerous emotional, social, cognitive, and physical benefits. There are some excellent resources for parents available through Common Sense Media here.
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.
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
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
