Dear OPR Families,

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur across our region. While this is a rare and exciting phenomenon, I want to share some important safety information with you since the event will occur during the elementary dismissal time. Looking directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing is unsafe. I encourage parents to review NASA’s Eclipse Safety Guidelines and How to Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse information with their child(ren).

At OPR, we will also take precautions to keep all our students safe. We will refer to the MA Department of Education information for suggestions to safely enjoy this event. Dismissal may be a little slower than usual on this day. We will dismiss car/bus students slowly to prevent having students wait outside as we typically do. Staff will remind students to not look directly at the sun during dismissal. If you have any questions please ask.

2024 MCAS testing began this week and we are very proud of our Grade 4 and 5 students' hard work! They approached the tests very seriously and gave their best effort. Next week, Grade 4 will finish up and Grade 3 will begin ELA MCAS testing on April 3rd. For a complete schedule of MCAS testing for this year, please refer to the dates published further down in this newsletter.

Due to not having school on Friday this week, there is no OPR Video News. Here's a repeat of last week's if you missed it: Click here to watch last week's OPR Video News.

Reminder: There is no school on Friday, March 29th.

Have a great long weekend!

David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us

MARCH

29 No School - Day of Low Attendance

APRIL

5 PAC sponsored OPR Spring Dance! See below for more information.

8 OPR Spring After School Enrichment Programs begin this week.

10 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab and Virtual at 7:00 PM

11 PAC sponsored visit from Discovery Museum to Grade 1: Dinosaurs

12 OPR Student Council Spirit Day: Favorite Sports Team Colors Day

15-19 April Vacation - No School

26 Kindergarten Field Trip to Franklin Park Zoo

MAY

2 Grade 1 Field Trip to Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary

4 PAC sponsored Furn Run and Spring Fair!

8 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab and Virtual at 7:00 PM

11 Wapole Day

15 PAC sponsored school assembly: Mark Rothstein's World of Jump Rope

15 Incoming Kindergarten Orientation at 6:30 PM

16 PAC sponsored High Touch High Tech Grade 3 Presentation: Friction Gives Me Traction

16 PAC sponsored Grade 4 Presentation: Southwick's Traveling Zoo Program

17 Early Release; Dismissal is at 11:55 AM (beginning at 11:49)

17 Student Council Spirit Day: Students Dress Like Teachers and Teacher Dress Like Students

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.

Grade K - 1

• Singing: Students learned a fun echo song called, “What Goes Up”. The song is in verse/refrain form and students enjoyed singing it. Students will add instruments to accompany the song later in the year. Students are excited to sing this song at their music concert in May!

• Movement: Grade K students learned a new game song called “Blue Bird”. The song has A/B patterns of words and movements. Students seemed to have fun flying in and out of the imaginary bird cage! Grade 1 students learned a new movement activity called, “Old King Glory”. The kids had fun moving in two opposite concentric circles while singing and keeping the beat.

• Literacy, SEL & Picture Books: Students learned a new rhyme called, “Queen Caroline''. They read iconic notation (Grade K/beat-Grade 1/rhythmic) while chanting the rhyme. We read a story called, “The Recess Queen” by Alexis O’Neill. This wonderful story described the power of kindness and friendship while reinforcing rhythm and syllables.

• Composers: Students listened to a piece of classical music called “Spring” by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741). They learned that this music was composed to celebrate the beginning of spring with music sounding like birds singing, rivers flowing and nature blooming. Students will add colorful scarves and improvise next week.

Grade 2 -

• Singing and Movement: Students learned a traditional folk song from Italy called “C’e Una Cocca Nera?” The title translates as, “Have you seen the black hen?” Students enjoyed moving in two opposite concentric circles while singing in Italian.

• Picture Books: Students read the book, “Pizza! A slice of History” by Greg Pizzoli. They learned about the history of pizza and its evolution over time. Next week they will learn a chant called “Pizza Please”.

• Creating and Composing: Students are learning about melodies and how they move. Students explored and created their own pentatonic melodies using Chrome Music Lab. Students enjoyed exploring, composing and sharing their melodies in a non-traditional way!

Grade 3 -

• Movement: Students listened to a lively folk reel (quick dance with origins from Ireland and Scotland) called “Irish Stew”. They created a double circle dance in A/B form to accompany the music. Classes had so much fun moving at an allegro tempo!

• Instruments: Students continue to play a variety of BAG patterns on recorder. They are learning to play a short melody from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and will learn more about this famous classical composer (1770-1827) in the next few lessons. Students reviewed a fun game called “question and answer” while playing xylophones and metallophones.Students improvised and played longer musical phrases. It was impressive to hear how creative their melodies were while improvising.

Grade 4 -

• Instruments and Literacy: Students continue to practice a variety of BAG and low E patterns on the recorder. They recently learned the note “C” and were introduced to a Native American song called “Desert Drum Song”.

• Singing and Composers: Students were introduced to Jazz legend, Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and his famous composition, “C-Jam Blues”. Students played the melody on xylophones and recorders. They will improvise using a 12 bar blues accompaniment in the next few classes.

Grade 5 -

• Musical Artist Project: Students worked on a Canva project called “iMusic”. They were asked to research their favorite musical artist past or present. The students did a wonderful job describing the artists’ childhood, contributions to the world, musical genre and milestones. Students added exciting backgrounds and pictures to enhance their presentations. They really enjoyed researching and sharing their projects with other classmates. Bravo!

Throughout March, our students diligently engaged with our theme, "The Power to Choose." As we transition into April, our focus will shift towards exploring the vital concepts of diversity and inclusion.

In Kindergarten, we'll be delving into "I Am Enough" by Grace Byers. This captivating book, illustrated by the talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo, beautifully embodies themes of self-acceptance, mutual respect, and kindness towards others.

We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.

First graders will be introduced to the book “I Color Myself Different” by Colin Kaepernick, an inspirational story about equity and inclusion. The author's point of view demonstrates self-discovery, self-love, and acceptance of all.

Second grade will read “We’re All Wonders” by R.J. Palacio. The story emphasizes the importance of embracing differences and treating others with compassion, regardless of their appearance or background. With its heartfelt message and vibrant illustrations, "We Are All Wonders" serves as a powerful reminder that we are all unique and deserving of acceptance and understanding.

Third graders will engage in a class reading called “Spaghetti In a Hot Dog Bun” by Maria Dismondy. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun helps drive home the message that being different is what's cool. Students will be given the chance to celebrate people's differences.

Fourth graders will engage with an interactive empathy Google Slide, followed by a class discussion exploring the significance of empathy

Fifth graders will engage in a fun Jeopardy game divided into categories about diversity! Categories include; What is Diversity? Accepting Differences, Celebrating Culture, Inclusion Matters, and Equity For All.

Please join us for the OPR PAC Meeting on Wednesday, April 10th at 7:00 PM in the OPR STEM LAB or virtually via ZOOM (Link to be shared prior to the meeting).

Who loves OPR? We do! Sign up here to volunteer to coordinate one of our great events or fundraisers this year. PAC Coordinator Sign up:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/9040e49a4aa2ba2fb6-oprpac1

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

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

September 2023 - $118.80

October 2023 - $90.60

November 2023 - $113.70

December 2023 - $81.30

2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60

January 2024 - $85.80

February 2024 - $104.10

Walpole Writes

April Vacation camp with families. Hours of camp are 9-4. Drop off is 8-9am. Pick up from 3-4pm. Camp will take place at Boyden April 16-18.

Here's the link: https://forms.gle/ythtVbAZseMrGP548

Please contact the Multilingual Learner Family Engagement Center at mlfec@walpole.k12.ma.us or at (508) 660-7257 ext. 5033 for further information or to request an interpreter or child care for the event.

Please note the following contact information for Walpole’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Co-Chairs are Sue Pace and Deborah Mulroy. The SEPAC can be reached by email at walpolesepac@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/walpolespedpac. Notices of future events can be found in this Weekly Update as they are scheduled.

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

OPR Website

Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road

East Walpole, MA 02032

508-660-7219