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Dr. Rebekah Louis and Dr. Elizabeth Stringer Keefe from Stonehill College were present and discussed the Stonehill Teacher Residency program and the partnership between Stonehill College and Walpole Public Schools. WPS currently has five Education Support Professionals participating in this program.

The Stonehill Teacher Residency leads to a master's degree in inclusive education with Massachusetts initial licensure. Participants engage in all aspects of the classroom and school community while learning from a mentor teacher, supporting students and participating in the development and implementation of the curriculum. This is a fantastic program and we are pleased that our staff are participating in this program.

James P., Walpole High School representative to the School Committee provided the following report:

• On October 4th, students completed a survey from Mass General Hospital about substance use and mental health.

• Term 1 Progress reports were released yesterday.

• WHS clubs continue. The Community Service Club held a clean up event at WHS last week. The Speech and Debate Team is hosting auditions this Thursday October 12th for their musical, Mean Girls. UNICEF Club will be hosting a Trunk or Treat Fundraiser in the WHS parking lot on October 21st. StuCo held a cornhole tournament to benefit the Jimmy Fund last Friday, October 6th. There was a great turnout and it was a competitive and exciting time for students, which raised $1200 for the Jimmy Fund.

• PSATs took place yesterday, October 11th. All freshmen, sophomores and juniors took these exams. Seniors were given the day to work on their college applications and catch up on any missing work due in classes. Any senior needing assistance with a college application and/or essay was provided this guidance.

• College visits continued at the WHS during interventions. Some of the colleges represented included The University of Alabama, UMass Lowell, UConn, Quinnipiac and WPI.

• Fall Sports are well into the season and postseason is just around the corner. Field Hockey remains undefeated. The Football Team plays tomorrow at home against Milton.

• Senior Jonah Van der Linden was announced as the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Commended students Elsa Van Der Linden and Akash Mishra were honored as well and Principal Imbusch along with counselors Mrs. Wilson and Ms. O’Brien celebrated each of these students' success.

• WHS PAC has their first meeting on Wednesday, October 25th at 7 p.m. in the Media Center. All new and returning families are encouraged to attend.

• MLPAC invites families of multilingual learners to attend MLPAC on Wednesday, October 18th, to discuss opportunities for educational success of students in the English Language Education (ELE) program.

1. Curriculum Review Cycle - Dr. Bill Hahn provided information regarding the District’s curriculum review cycle. He outlined a six-year curriculum review cycle that provides regular planned review of all curricula. Teachers, staff and administrators work with Dr. Hahn and are all part of this review process.

2. Strategic Plan Goals 1 and 2 Update - Walpole High School Principal Stephen Imbusch provided an update to the Strategic Plan Goal 1 and Daniel Feeney Preschool Director Julie Martin provided a Goal 2 update Strategic Plan update.

3. Ratified Memorandum of Agreement - The School Committee voted to ratify a Memorandum of Agreement between the Walpole School Committee and AFSCME Council 93, Local 1957, Secretarial and Clerical Unit.

4. Vote on Town Meeting Articles - Fall Town Meeting Article 2 requests a FY ’24 Budget adjustment in the amount of $250,000 and Article 11 requests a transfer from Free Cash to supplement the FY ‘24 School Budget including Medicaid receipts and high school parking fees. As part of the annual budget process every year, the School Department estimates the reimbursement of Medicaid and parking fee amounts based on the current year’s expenses and reduces their appropriated budget request for the following fiscal year by the that amount. The School Committee voted to approve these Articles.

5. Grants Update - Mr. Friscia provided a FY ’24 grants update and included types, amounts and descriptions of all grants.

• October 1 enrollments were distributed. The total WPS enrollment is 3,702. Enrollment numbers will be updated as students register.

• Dr. Gough discussed district work that was done at each level during last Friday's early release day.

• Please be reminded that parent-teacher conferences are approaching. Please check principals weekly updates for more information.

• As a reminder, Walpole has partnered with William James College INTERFACE Referral Service for community access to the Mental Health Referral Helpline. This is a free, confidential mental health outpatient referral service for children, adults, and families. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from INTERFACE’s extensive database. Information can be found on our webpage and also Town’s webpage.
• Student MCAS performance reports were released and just delivered to the district. The reports will be mailed out this month.
• The Fales, Leach, Rogers, and Kunde Scholarship applications are due October 31st. The application can be found on the District Website or at the Superintendent's Office. Awards shall be distributed to undergraduates at four-year accredited colleges. To be eligible for these scholarships, the student must be a graduate of Walpole High School.
• Dr. Gough thanked the WPS art teachers for continuing to update and display student artwork at the Town Hall. Several families have come to visit and view the students’ work. We had a couple of student visitors with parents and grandparents to view their work.
• National Principals Month: October is National Principals month. This is a time for us to celebrate and honor our principals for their leadership and their dedication to their students and school communities they serve.
• Reminder: Town Meeting is Monday, October 16th.

Superintendent 2023-2024 Goals: The School Committee reviewed and accepted Dr. Gough's 2023-2024 Goals. Dr. Gough's goals include goals for student learning, district, and professional practice. These goals are aligned with the District’s Strategic Plan.

Middle School Building Project: Mr. Breen provided an update to the Middle School project. A project timeline and three-week look ahead schedule can be located on the middle school webpage. The community is encouraged to visit the webpage and reach out to the Middle School Project team with any questions or comments via email at middleschoolproject@walpole.k12.ma.us.

High School Project: Kristen Syrek indicated updated information will be provided at the next School Committee Meeting.