WHS eNotes

Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:

Schools across the country are grappling with the best way to deal with cellphones in school. I have already addressed the many ways in which cellphones interfere with the learning process. In a recent communication from the Office of the Attorney General, it appears that those schools with a cellphone policy are typically following one of these policies:

1. Bell-to-Bell: Cell phones are securely stored upon entering the building, and returned at the end of the day. Cell phones are physically inaccessible to students throughout the entire school day

2. Off and Away: Cell phones are expected to be powered off and stored out of sight during the entire school day, including class time, passing periods, and lunch. Students may store phones in their backpack, student locker, or other location out of sight. Students maintain physical access to their phones

3. Limited Use: Cell phones are expected to be powered off and stored out of sight during instructional periods, but may be used during designated times and in specific areas such as lunch or passing periods.

At Walpole High, we currently follow the ‘Limited Use’ policy. This policy accommodates individual communication needs, especially for our students who may have after-school responsibilities, and it fosters autonomy and encourages self-regulation.

However, there are also many drawbacks:

• Burden on teachers to enforce - Takes time away from teaching and learning - Contributes to strained teacher-student relationships

• Can lead to battles convincing students to put their phones away during restricted-use times

• Risk of use during instructional time

• Relies on students to self regulate phone use, which may be an unrealistic expectation

• During designated periods when phones are permitted (eg lunch), students may engage in cyberbullying, video recording, and other inappropriate uses

• Can create a culture of monitoring or “policing” phone-use

• Less opportunity for in person social interaction and social skill development

I would prefer not to have to adopt a more stringent policy than the one we currently have, but this can only happen if students do their part, and put their phones in the holder every period (regardless of whether the teacher mentions it). I would ask that parents also speak to their children about this expectation. Together, we can all do our part to improve student learning by unplugging all social media during instructional periods and avoiding inappropriate use at all times.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

The WHS Counseling Department will be hosting a College Admissions Panel on February 6th at 6:30pm. Parents and families of Juniors who are considering applying to college are invited to join our virtual presentation. We will be hearing from admissions experts from Tufts University, Bridgewater State University, Clemson University and Salve Regina University. Topics included will be current trends in college admissions, the essay, financial aid, application tips and more. More information and the link will be sent by email to all Junior families.

Any families of underclassmen interested in receiving the link should fill out this form: https://forms.gle/fuhJcJadinrRK5mQ7

Here is the January newsletter that highlights the current Chronic Absenteeism rate in Walpole. Spoiler alert: Families and schools are doing a great job! Chronic Absent totals are down!

Click here to see our numbers: https://secure.smore.com/n/kgqr0

The Walpole Scholarship Foundation (WSF) is now accepting applications for 2025 scholarships, available at walpolescholarshipfoundation.org. Since 1983, WSF has awarded over 4,000 scholarships totaling more than $5 million to support Walpole residents pursuing post-secondary education.

Eligibility includes Walpole residents and METCO students who graduated or will graduate from Walpole High School, and are applying to/currently attending programs such as bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, or technical certifications. Graduate students are not eligible.

Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2025, at 12:00 noon. Visit the WSF website for details and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.

The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the spring session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.

Session 2 will run February 3 to June 13. Registration is open Friday, January 10th through Monday, January 27th.

For more information, visit:

https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview

To register, visit:

https://forms.gle/YGBjnmVE1V57US2m9

For questions, email:

Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us

Mass General Brigham has announced a new internship program for Juniors and Seniors, aged 16 and over. This immersive experience spans 4 days and will introduce students to pathology and laboratory medicine at Mass General Brigham as a hands-on experience bridging classroom knowledge with real world medical science. This internship will be held over vacation weeks and summer break and requires an application but is no cost. See website for more information:Mass General Internship

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 here: Senior Recognition Ads Recognition ads are due by January 31st.

Yearbooks are on sale for Underclassmen

Yearbooks must be ordered by February 28, 2025. Seniors receive their book with their Class Dues. Order yours here: Underclass Yearbook Orders

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.

Congratulations to the school’s debaters for competing at Lexington High this past weekend:

Shaurya Panchal placed 3rd in Speaker Points for Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Ramu Muthukaruppan competed in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Tanay Singh also competed in VLD.

This tournament is called Big Lex because it is open to students from across the country, so these Walpole students had the pleasure to debate students from all over. Bravo!

The Robotics Team is very busy this month with the 2025 game Reefscape being unveiled. The team will be very busy getting to work on designing, building and programming their newest robot for the new season. They just finished up their fall training session by building an elevator mechanism with a wrist. It was a great experience for many members of the team to learn how to design this mechanism on CAD, build it, and program the elevator for the first time. These will all be useful skills in the upcoming season.

First Lego League (FLL) just wrapped up with the 3 teams and they had a great season with one team making it to states. Congratulations to them.

So please read the newsletter to find out all the news because there is a whole lot more.

Robotics Newsletter

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