WHS eNotes

Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:

The “Ten Rules for Life” appear in the epilogue of Rutger Bregman’s 2019 book Humankind: A Hopeful History. In this section, Bregman offers practical advice on how to live according to his central thesis: that humans are fundamentally good, despite a world often inclined to believe the opposite. His guidance for countering this pessimistic narrative includes the following points:

• When in doubt, assume the best. Giving people the benefit of the doubt fosters trust and understanding—and more often than not, it leads to better outcomes.

• Think in win-win scenarios. When everyone benefits, the rewards go beyond success; they resonate on a deeper, more fulfilling level.

• Ask more questions. By inviting others to share their perspectives, you empower them and gain insight that assumptions can never provide.

• Temper your empathy; train your compassion. While empathy connects you emotionally, compassion equips you to take meaningful action and make a difference.

• Try to understand the other, even if you don’t get where they’re coming from. Using reason and curiosity can bridge gaps that instinct alone cannot cross.

• Love your own as others love their own. Recognizing the shared humanity in strangers helps build empathy and fosters connection across divides.

• Avoid TV news and social media. Protect your mental well-being by curating thoughtful, nourishing sources of information instead.

• Don’t punch people you disagree with. A measured, constructive response demonstrates strength and fosters dialogue, where cynicism shuts it down.

• Come out of the closet: don’t be ashamed to do good. Visible kindness inspires others, creating a ripple effect of positivity and change.

• Be realistic. “Be realistic. Be courageous. Be true to your nature and offer your trust. Do good in broad daylight, and don’t be ashamed of your generosity. You may be dismissed as gullible and naive at first. But remember, what’s naïve today may be common sense tomorrow. It’s time for a new realism. It’s time for a new view of humankind.”

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

WHS Drama's production of the hit Broadway musical Once Upon A Mattress opens tonight!. Join us for a night of live theatre on Friday, December 6th at 7pm and Saturday, December 7th at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are on sale online at https://walpoledrama.ludus.com/. We hope to see you there!

The WHS Counseling Office is hosting a College 101 virtual information session for parents and families of the junior class next Thursday, December 12 at 6:30 PM

Please see attached flyer for details

All graduating seniors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who are seeking a college degree or job training are eligible to compete. Scholarship awards this year total over half a million dollars. To qualify, students must be a senior in high school, fill out the online application and then take our exam. Applicants must register in advance at //www.massaflcio.org/scholarships. We will be accepting applications through Friday, December 20, 2024. The deadline is firm, and no late registrations will be accepted. The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions and one written essay. All questions will be selected from the information in the study guide. Exams will be administered online, at WHS during the first week of February. Further testing instructions will be sent in the last week of January. All study resources including the study guide, flashcards and quizzes are available by visiting www.learnlaborhistory.com.

The Peterson School is offering hands-on training in the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical fields at their Westwood campus this Saturday, 12/7 from 9-12. Registration is required (link on flyer).

IBM and the Work Based Learning Alliance are offering students opportunities for paid, 100-hour virtual internships in Cyber Security, Clean Energy, and CAD. Any student interested in participating can register here, the application is now open for the Winter & Spring cycle. Spots are very limited and time commitment is required. Learn more from the internship informational flyer and the student information video. Any student who is interested in learning more about Innovation Career Pathways, please see your school counselor, Assistant Principal or Mr. Connolly.

National Honor Society is organizing a winter coat drive through Coats for Kids & Families to help ensure all community members have warm clothing for the colder months. Please consider donating gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves in all sizes. Collection bins will be located in the school lobby from 11/19 to 12/20. Your generosity will make a difference—together, we can keep our community warm this winter!

The Walpole Robotics Club is sponsoring a Popcorn Fundraiser. It's more than just Popcorn though, you can buy a multitude of popcorn flavors such as butter, caramel, bacon, dill pickle, birthday cake, and chocolate lovers along with your regular movie theater popcorn. There is also candy and various snacks, cookies, breads, nuts, pretzels, and even gift wrapping for your holiday needs. These will make great gifts for friends and family and all while sponsoring an amazing club. The robotics club thanks you for your support on their upcoming season which is quickly approaching. We need a lot of support and it means so much to the students. Enjoy the holidays and we thank you. Please use the link or scan the QR code on the picture below so the team gets the credits. Walpole Robotics Club Popcorn Fundraiser Link

The Walpole Robotics Club is proud to put out their latest newsletter for the month of November. It's been a busy month for the club. We started our mock-build for the fall challenge. We dove back to 2019 to the game Deep Space and the students are busy building an elevator for a practice robot for the fall challenge. They are working hard building, programming, and doing 3D CAD. There are a lot of other things going on such as FLL (First Lego League) and the 9th and 10th graders 3D printing a "Pup Sub". Read the newsletter for all the information to see how busy the club is even in the off season. And don't forget to sponsor our Popcorn Fundraiser. For more information see the enotes and read about it in the newsletter.

WolfTech Monthly - November 2024

Bonjour! The WHS French club is organizing a trip to France this summer from July 5 to 21st. The trip will include 2 weeks of French classes, home-stays with French families, and a three night excursion to Paris. An informational meeting will be held virtually via Google Meet (link here) on Tuesday December 16th. The trip is open to all French students.

Contact Mr. McCluskey (jmccluskey@walpole.k12.ma.us) if you have any questions.

Recognition Ads are now on sale

If you would like to congratulate your senior with a recognition ad in the back of the Yearbook, purchase a recognition ad at this link:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1065365

Yearbooks are on sale for Underclassmen

See flyer attached for how to order a book. Yearbooks must be ordered by February 28, 2025. Seniors receive their book with their Class Dues.

The WHS Humane Society is once again running the Pets of Walpole High Calendar fundraiser. Submit photos of your pets and purchase a calendar that celebrates all of our fur babies! All proceeds are donated directly to local animal shelters. Calendars will be available before December break. All animals are welcome and encouraged!

Photos and orders can be submitted here: Pets of Walpole High 2025 Calendar

Winter registration will close on Wednesday, November 27th at 11AM and will not reopen until Tuesday, December 3rd at 7AM. All paperwork must be turned in prior to leaving on Thanksgiving break. No paperwork will be accepted during Thanksgiving break. Please do not scan any physicals.

All event information is listed in the link below. We look forward to seeing you at the games.

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: rdowd@walpole.k12.ma.us
Phone: 508-660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleAD

Email: simbusch@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpolewhs.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 275 Common Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleHS