OPR Weekly Update
November 15, 2024
Dear OPR Families,
Thank you for attending this week’s Parent-Teacher Conferences. We value the opportunity to connect with you and work together to support your child’s growth and learning. Feel free to reach out to any of us at OPR should you have any questions.
Click here to watch this week's OPR Video News.
Have a nice weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
November
16 PAC Sponsored Parents Night Out!
19 After School Enrichment Registration Closes at 4 PM
27 Student Council Spirit Day - Pajama Day! Wear proper footwear please.
27 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
28 No School - Happy Thanksgiving!
29 No School
December
2 After School Enrichment Classes Begin
4 School Council Meeting, STEM Lab at 3:05-4:05 PM
13 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
13 PAC Sponsored Stay on the Half Day
13 Student Council Spirit Day: Wild Hair, Socks, Mismatched, Inside Out, Backwards Day
23 No School - Vacation Begins. School Resumes on Thursday, January 2nd.
Music with Ms. Yee
Students continue to work on building musical skills through seasonal activities and lessons. Please see recent grade level learning activities below.
Kindergarten
Singing and Literacy: Students learned a fun song called, “Five Fat Turkeys”. Using a steady beat chart, they learned that the song was 16 beats long. Students also learned a Patriotic song by Woody Guthrie called, “This Land is Your Land”. They enjoyed reading the picture book and singing the refrain of the song.
Movement: Students learned a collection of movement activities using fast and slow tempos. Some of their favorites were, “Pass the broom”, “Blowing in the Wind” and “Circle Round the Zero”.
Literacy & Composing: Students created their very own musical “pathways” showing high to low direction.
Grade 1
Singing: Students continue to warm- up their voices by singing short melodic patterns. They learned two songs called “Skin and Bones” and “Thankful for You”. Both songs reinforced call and response style.
Movement: Students learned a collection of movement activities using fast and slow tempos. Some of their favorites were, “Pass the broom”, “Cut the Cake” and “Circle Round the Zero”.
Literacy: Students read iconic notation in a game called "Apple Pie". Iconic notation is a great tool for beginning music reading. In the next few lessons students will compose their own “Leaf” compositions using traditional notation.
Grade 2
Singing: Students learned a variety of seasonal songs reinforcing verse/refrain form. Some of their favorites were “Pumpkin Bones”, “Albuquerque Turkey”, “Mr. Turkey Man” & “Five Brother Pumpkins”.
Literacy: Students learned a new song called, “Ms. White”. They wrote the rhythm of the song using quarter and eighth notes.
Movement: Students learned two partner games called “Head & Shoulders Baby” and “Pilgrim, Pilgrim”. Both games reinforced musical form.
Singing & Movement: Students learned two partner games called “Head & Shoulders Baby” and “Pilgrim, Pilgrim”. Both activities reinforced musical form. They enjoyed learning a song called, "Black and Gold" and had fun playing the card game that goes with it!
Literacy & Instruments: Students continue to read and play “BAG” patterns using their recorders. They received their recorder books for at home practice. They are sounding great on recorder!
Grade 4
Singing: Students learned a new jazz vocal warm-up called, “Doo Vah Doo”. They learned a Native American song called, “Canoe Song” and continue to learn the song, “Fifty Nifty United States”. They are having fun learning to sing the states in alphabetical order!
Movement: Students learned a new song from Ireland called "1,2,3 O'Leary". They created a movement ostinato using basketballs to accompany this fun learning activity.
Notation: Students enjoyed creating “Jazzy Jack ‘O Lanterns for our fall activity. In class we reviewed a variety of music symbols. Students then used their choice of symbols to decorate their pumpkins. Students were very creative with this activity!
Grade 5
Singing & Instruments: Students learned a seasonal song called, “Pass the Pumpkin”. They added a spooky four part accompaniment using the gong, crash cymbals, xylophones and triangles.
Creating and Composing: Students collaborated on a rhythm project called “Rap My Name”. Students created a sixteen beat rap using their names and favorite activities. Students had super fun creating a beatboxing loop using Incredibox to accompany their raps.
Social Emotional Learning with Ms. Bishop & Mrs. Murray
News from the Nurse
We want to inform you that we are continuing to see cases of pneumonia within our OPR community. To learn more about the current situation, please visit the following links:
If your child experiences any new respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, please contact their pediatrician promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing respiratory illnesses effectively.
Reminder: Hearing and vision screenings will continue for the next two weeks. The Health Office will be in touch if any concerns arise from these screenings.
Thank you so much! Have a wonderful weekend!
Bonnie Kowalsky, RN
508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
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:
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
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
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
