JMS Update

Dear JMS Families,

If somebody kidnapped your least favorite teacher, would you want her back? In an award-winning comedic tale loosely based on O. Henry's classic story, Casey and Tim nab their demanding English teacher to avoid having to take a test, but they find that no one wants her back! It's bad enough that she corrects the grammar in their ransom note and makes them rewrite it, but when the captive teacher assigns them a research paper on famous kidnappings in history, the young kidnappers find themselves doing more school work than ever! Meanwhile nobody takes the new principal (a former student of Ms. Dowers') seriously, a high strung ex-Marine corporate exec turned housewife runs a PTA bake sale fundraiser with military precision, a Star Trek- obsessed custodian works frantically to keep the crumbling building ship-shape, and the football mascot believes himself a real Viking warrior with his sassy cousin from Brooklyn, as his Valkyrie-in-training. Great characters and sharp humor make this loose adaptation of O. Henry's classic Ransom of Red Chief a delightful choice for any audience.

Join us in attending the JMS Drama production of, The Ransom of Miss Elverna Dower, on March 21st and 22nd. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Click this link, to purchase tickets.

We hope you can attend!

Best,

Carrie

• For the class of 2028 (current 8th graders) - Walpole High School is currently accepting applications for the STEM Academy Class of 2028. All information including the online application can be found by visiting WHS STEM Academy. The deadline to apply is May 17, 2024. Students should contact their current technology teacher or Mr. Braccini at jbraccini@walpole.k12.ma.us with any questions.

During Women's History Month the library is showcasing nonfiction titles about women. Mrs. O'Malley has also curated a Women's History Month Pathfinder of Resources which include book lists, websites, articles, museum links, and events in the Boston area.

We are excited to offer the LIT (Love, Inclusion and Trust) program, a series of workshops and discussions for middle and high school students that aim to highlight identity development, student leadership, build self-confidence, and provide advocacy skills. Because this is being offered to both Boston and resident students, our goal is to provide them with a safe space to build relationships amongst their peers as we continue to strengthen the Walpole School Community.

The LIT program for young scholars is presented by Jamele Adams. Scholars of middle and high school levels will engage in workshops and discussions that build self-esteem and community pride.

This program will be held at the designated middle school from 2:35 - 3:30 P.M. and at the high school from 2:10 - 3:00 P.M. on the days listed below.

There will be a sign up sheet in the main office of each school as well as a google form will be sent out for students to sign up.

Dates of the program:

March 12th - Johnson MS

April 22nd - Johnson MS

May 17th - Joint Walpole Middle and High School

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Atisha Winslow

Walpole METCO Program Director K-12

Office: (508) 660-7257 ext 5234

Congratulations to Robert, Kyle, Morrison and Nate of Team Cardinals, the winners of the Volleyball tournament yesterday. This team powered their way through some tough competition to face off against the Hawks in the finals. Thank you to Ms. Madge and Coach Oberacker for hosting the tournament and to all the staff who volunteered as referees!

Students in Ms. Masterson's 7th grade math class were tasked with finding a recipe and applying skills related to proportions to the recipe. As a bonus, if they opted to make the recipe, they could send me a picture for extra credit! Here are some of the delicious-looking creations shared by students!

Students are getting a great experience on creating delicious recipes in the Cooking Club! Yum!

Be sure to read the latest newsletter from the JMS Counselors:

Counselors' Corner Newsletter

Please click HERE for the 2023-2024 WPS calendar.

March- Women's History Month

March 22 - Early Release Day

March 22 - The Ransom of Miss Elverna Dower Play

Term Ending Dates:

Term 3 - 1/23/24 - 4/2/24

Term 4 - 4/3/24 - 6/12/24

Each term is 45 days long

Walpole Public Schools are continually committed to developing an atmosphere of trust among our parent community, in our ability to provide not only a positive and enriching educational experience, but a safe place for students to thrive too.

That is why we have partnered with Linewize, a leading global provider of online safety products and education, to create an educational hub for parents and teachers. This hub includes articles, videos, courses and more, to ensure you know how to keep your kids safe online.

Click HERE to access the hub!

This Math site for parents is designed specifically for parents and families. It offers a breakdown of the topics in each of the 8 units covered throughout the course of the year. Most of the topics have a video link built in that will offer support for students and/or parents/families when working on math at home. There is a section for each grade level course, as well as math connections. In addition, there is a section that breaks down the prerequisite skills that play the biggest role for each grade level. We hope this serves as a valuable resource for parents and families throughout the year.

Dismissals should only be for medical reasons or family emergencies. If an appointment or family event will require that a student be dismissed early from school, we ask that parents send a note to the main office, or complete the dismissal form (JMS Dismissal Form) on our Website. We will write a pass for your child to come to the office at the designated time. This will help expedite the pick up process, and more importantly, eliminate the need for us to disrupt the learning of other students by calling the classroom and interrupting the teacher. If you happen to forget to send in a note, we ask that you complete this JMS Dismissal Form. Your help and cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

Student use of cell phones in the building is prohibited. Phones and other personal electronic devices should be turned off and secured in the owner's locker during the school day. Phones being used in classrooms or common areas may be confiscated and held until dismissal. This policy also includes smartwatches. Repeat offenses may require a parent pick up from the office.

We encourage all families to review the 2023-2024 JMS Family Handbook. This document includes important information regarding the following: Absence and Tardy Policies, the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, Cell Phone Policy, X2 Attendance & Grade Notifications, Floor Plan / Map, the Daily Schedule, and the Code of Conduct. The JMS Family Handbook is a linked document to make the information easily accessible for anyone.

Please click here for the latest DEI newsletter. We are thrilled to introduce our Third Edition of the WPS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) newsletter. This platform is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and equitable School environment and aims to celebrate the rich diversity that exists among our students, staff, and families, while also providing resources, updates, and opportunities for engagement.

All student meals (breakfast and lunch) are free of charge again this year. Breakfast Menu is available in the cafeteria until 7:45 AM each morning. You can see what's being served for lunch by checking out the Lunch Menu. Please note that students were given cards to scan at the register so the cafeteria can keep track of inventory. As an alternative to scanning, students can also punch in the

4-digit code that appears on their card.

JMS PAC will plan to merge with BMS PAC for the remainder meetings scheduled on:

March 12th at Bird 7:00 pm

April 9th at Johnson. 7:00pm

May 14th at Bird 7:00 pm

You can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JMSPAC?mibextid=LQQJ4d

SEPAC is a Special Education Parent Advisory Council. All parents of children with disabilities and other interested parties are welcomed to participate. Please note the following contact information for Walpole’s 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 our weekly newsletters.

Walpole Cultural Council and Be Inclusive invite you to Walpole's first Holi Festival, which will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Please see the flyer for details!
The event promises to be colorful, complete with performances, organic color play, an array of vendors, Indian cuisine, and much more!

If you're interested in joining us or performing at the event, we kindly request that you register via the links below.

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSf.../viewform

Performance registration: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSftkf.../viewform...

We are grateful for your support and look forward to celebrating Holi together with you.

Hello Johnson Families!!!

We are so excited to have our Second Annual Blingo Bingo event!!!

Hosted by the Bird and Johnson Middle School PACs, it will be held at the Norwood Elks on Friday, March 15th starting at 6:00 P.M. Grab a friend and sign up below! Have a whole table's worth? You can take a whole table!

BLINGO BINGO: Walpole Middle School PACS (signupgenius.com)

Any questions can be directed to Nancy at nilesnj@yahoo.com

Thank you!
Johnson PAC

This program will provide an excellent opportunity to prepare for fall sports. Featuring a mix of running activities (hill, woods, track) and strength training. Our aim is to enhance strength, flexibility, endurance, and speed. A collaboration will be made with the Recreation Department to organize a 4-week program at the end of the summer.

If you wish to sign up your child for the Walpole Track Program, please contact Antonietta O'Toole

Owner/Running Coach, Walpole MA 02081 (857)991-2330.

Please see attached flyers for March Teen Events at the Walpole Public Library.

Principal

Johnson Middle School

Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/jms
Location: 111 Robbins Road, Walpole, MA 02081
Phone: (508) 660-7242