Walpole School Newsletter

Across all three schools, our hallways continue to be filled with student work that reflects creativity, effort, and a strong understanding of the content being taught. Classrooms are lively spaces where laughter, thoughtful discussion, and curiosity are present each day.

Students often stop by my office to proudly share their completed work, giving us the opportunity to talk about their learning and celebrate accomplishments together. It is clear that our students are continuing to build confidence and find success through both academic and co-curricular opportunities.

I would also like to address the ongoing conversations surrounding the possible Walpole withdrawal. Many families and community members have questions about what this could look like should Walpole decide to withdraw. While some questions have been answered, we have been informed that others cannot be addressed at this time. This is an important decision that will impact everyone in the town of Walpole.

The deliberative session took place on Monday evening. I strongly encourage you to attend our upcoming Site-Based Meeting (date to be determined), where we will continue conversations related to the Walpole withdrawal and discuss next steps following the deliberative session. These meetings are designed to be open and welcoming, and we hope families feel comfortable participating. Open dialogue helps build understanding of what is happening both across the district and within the Walpole schools.

In addition, the Town of Walpole will be holding three informational meetings at the Town Hall on:

• Wednesday, February 11th at 6:30 PM

• Wednesday, February 25th at 6:30 PM

• Saturday, February 28th at 1:00 PM

Attending these meetings may help provide additional clarity and support informed decision-making as you prepare to vote on March 10th.

Please feel free to email me with any questions. If I do not have an answer immediately, I will do my best to find one for you.

Walpole Schools are a special place. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, we will continue to put our students first and remain committed to providing a high-quality education and meaningful opportunities for all.

As we celebrate National School Counselor Week, I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank our two incredible school counselors, Mrs. Treat and Mrs. Cassarino.

Mrs. Treat and Mrs. Cassarino do an outstanding job supporting our students and helping them develop the skills they need to become kind, respectful, and successful individuals. Their work extends far beyond individual conversations. They play a vital role in shaping the positive, caring culture of our school each and every day.

In addition to supporting students, Mrs. Treat and Mrs. Cassarino are always there for our families and for staff members as well. Their compassion, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond does not go unnoticed and is deeply appreciated.

Thank you both for everything you do for our school community. We are truly fortunate to have you as part of our team.

The Walpole Chicks junior high basketball teams are heading toward the playoffs with an exciting and successful season underway. Before the regular season wraps up, both teams have three remaining games this week.

The girls’ team enters the final stretch with an undefeated 12–0 record, showcasing incredible teamwork, determination, and skill throughout the season. The boys’ team has also had a strong showing, posting an impressive 11–2 record.

Playoffs begin Monday, with the girls playing at home and the boys’ game location to be determined. We are proud of both teams for their hard work, sportsmanship, and commitment, and we wish them the best of luck as they finish the regular season and head into postseason play.

Go Walpole Chicks! 🏀🐥

Pre-K welcomed the new year with lots of fun and learning! Students explored winter and enjoyed spending time outside during snowstorms. They learned about arctic animals and bears and had a great time pretending to ice fish in the dramatic play center. Students also enjoyed hands-on exploration at the sensory table, playing with ice and arctic animals.

This month, we were excited to finish meeting all of our Lively Letter friends—a big milestone for our learners!

Kindergarten has had SNOW MUCH FUN this January! Both classes have been busy reviewing letters and sounds, learning how to write complete sentences, and blending CVC words. We are becoming great readers and writers!

In math, we finished our shapes unit and have just begun focusing on addition and subtraction. Fun Fridays have been filled with snowflake and snowman crafts. We are also really enjoying having big kid buddies join us during PE to assist with all the fun games being played.

We are very excited to welcome February!

First graders have been hard at work during the month of January! In Fundations, we have introduced blends. What is a blend, you might ask? It is two or more consonants together that each keep their own sound. A blend can come at the beginning or the end of a word. For example, the words flip and mask both have blends. The word flip has a blend at the beginning (the letters f and l), and the word mask has a blend at the end (the letters s and k).

We have also introduced r-controlled vowels and have noticed quite a few in words we already know! In addition, we have been practicing identifying base words and suffixes to help us while we read.

In math, we continue to work on adding and subtracting within ten and twenty, solving story problems, and adding three numbers. We have so many math strategies and have been working hard on recognizing patterns in numbers. Our math brains are really progressing!

Keep up the hard work, first graders!

We hope everyone had a relaxing vacation and a chance to take a much-needed break to enjoy family time.

Second grade is off to a fantastic start in the new year! In December, we completed a module focused on the impact of change. Students investigated a variety of texts to uncover some of the mysteries of change. They are absolutely loving our new module about life in the early American West! You will be so impressed by the knowledge they are gaining and the thoughtful questions they are asking.

In math, students are continuing to build their skills in adding and subtracting using place value with two-digit numbers. They have also begun investigating linear measurement using different types of units, including both standard and nonstandard units.

January has been busy, bright, and full of brainpower in our classroom! ❄️✨ This month, students explored adding and subtracting using a variety of algorithms, stretching their math muscles and trying new strategies with confidence. They also worked together to solve multi-step math problems, demonstrating fantastic teamwork, perseverance, and problem-solving skills.

In Wit & Wisdom, creativity met curiosity as students designed posters highlighting Galileo and his many discoveries—a wonderful blend of history, science, and artistic flair! 🌟🔭 We also wrapped up the month with a thoughtful and engaging Socratic Seminar, where students shared ideas, listened closely, and built on one another’s thinking like true scholars.

What a wonderful way to start the new year—learning, collaborating, and thinking deeply together! 🎉📚

January was a month full of growth, curiosity, and creativity in fourth grade. Students jumped into the new year with enthusiasm and worked hard across all subjects.

In math, we explored decimals in depth, focusing on place value from the hundredths all the way to the hundred-thousands place. Students practiced reading, writing, comparing, and representing decimals in different forms. This strong foundation will support their upcoming work with operations involving decimals.

We wrapped up our novel study of Hatchet and had rich conversations about character development, especially how characters change in response to challenges and their environments. Inspired by Brian’s journey, students wrote their own survival narratives, using sensory details and character thoughts to bring their stories to life. Their creativity and descriptive writing truly shine.

In science, we continued learning about volcanoes and how they shape and impact Earth’s surface. Students were fascinated by the ways volcanic activity can both destroy and create new landforms.

In spelling, we continued building our understanding of spelling rules by exploring patterns that help students become more confident and accurate writers.

We are excited for all the learning and community building that February will hold!

North Walpole School is in the midst of a week of fun, friendly competition as Penny Wars is happening through this Friday 2/6. Participation is open to students in grades 2–4, and all funds raised will support a great cause—the Thunder Chickens Running Club.

Each participating classroom will have its own coin jug, which will be placed in the hallway each morning. Students can earn points for their class by adding pennies and paper bills to their own jug. Pennies add one point each, while paper bills add even more:

• $1 bill = +100 points

• $5 bill = +500 points

• $10 bill = +1,000 points

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The twist? Students can also add silver coins (nickels, dimes, and quarters) to other classrooms’ jugs, which deduct points from that class. Silver coins subtract the following:

• Nickel = –5 points

• Dime = –10 points

• Quarter = –25 points

This strategy element adds excitement and encourages teamwork, sportsmanship, and lots of laughter throughout the week. At the end of Penny Wars, the classroom with the most points will be crowned the winner and enjoy a Dessert Extravaganza!

There’s even more motivation to participate—if the school reaches its fundraising goal of $800, a lucky student (or two!) will get the chance to pie a teacher or the principal.

Penny Wars is a fun way for students to practice generosity while supporting physical fitness and community through the Thunder Chickens Running Club. We appreciate the enthusiasm and support from our students and families and look forward to a fantastic week of fundraising fun!

Fifth Grade Science

We are continuing to learn about ecosystems and how the energy animals use for body repair, growth, movement, and maintaining body warmth originally comes from the sun through food. Students will examine food chains and food webs, along with the interactions and dynamics within them. We are learning that a healthy ecosystem is one in which multiple species of different types are able to meet their needs within a relatively stable web of life. Students are also learning how newly introduced species can disrupt the balance of an ecosystem.

In our next unit, we will explore how the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact.

Fifth Grade Math

Students are almost finished with Unit 3, which focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions. Students have been creating models to represent multiplication expressions and writing expressions to match those models. The goal is for students to be able to solve problems involving fraction multiplication and division.

Our next chapter, Unit 1, will focus on volume. Students will learn that the volume of a solid figure is the number of unit cubes that fill it without gaps or overlaps. They will build rectangular prisms, analyze their structures, and find their volumes. This exploration will help students learn how to calculate the volume of a rectangular prism using a formula.

Sixth Grade Math

Students completed Unit 5, in which they used operations with decimals to solve problems and explain their answers orally, in writing, and using other representations. Students learned how to calculate the product of two decimal numbers and the quotient of a decimal dividend and a decimal divisor.

We have just begun Unit 7 on rational numbers. Students have learned how to interpret rational numbers and understand absolute value. We are currently learning about inequalities, including identifying solution sets and graphing them. Next, students will explore the coordinate plane, working in all four quadrants and learning how the signs of numbers in ordered pairs indicate their locations.

Sixth Grade Writing

In sixth grade writing, students have been engaged in a unit focused on the science fiction genre. During this unit, students read and analyzed stories by Ray Bradbury, including “A Sound of Thunder” and “There Will Come Soft Rains.” Students also watched and analyzed episodes of The Twilight Zone, including “To Serve Man” and “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?” Students are currently writing their own narrative science fiction stories.

Seventh Grade Writing

In seventh grade writing, students have been focusing on rhetorical devices and argument writing. Students completed a project showcasing logos, pathos, or ethos within advertisements or other forms of media. They are currently analyzing various texts to craft an argument in response to a prompt suggesting that energy drinks be banned for anyone under the age of 16.

Eighth Grade Writing

In eighth grade writing, students are completing a digital research presentation focused on a chosen decade from the 1900s. They created a timeline of important events from each year of their selected decade, as well as researched prominent figures, fashion trends, professions, and wages of the time period. Following their presentations, students will study the historical fiction genre and craft their own narrative pieces.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Literacy

In 5–6 literacy, students are reviewing silent e syllables, advanced vowel team patterns, and morphemes to support fluency and spelling. Students have also been practicing analyzing sentence structure to support writing and comprehension. In addition, students have worked on understanding the structure of expository texts. Sixth graders have learned how to identify key ideas and details in texts and use that information to build effective notes.

Seventh Grade Reading

In seventh grade reading, students have completed their unit on World War II, reading either Code Talkers or The Devil’s Arithmetic. They presented their understanding and text connections in small groups. Next, students will begin a dystopian literature unit focused on the power of language.

Eighth Grade Reading

In eighth grade reading, students have been learning about World War I while reading Stay Where You Are and Then Leave. Students will write an informational essay examining the effects of war on both the war front and the home front.

❤️ February is HEART HEALTH MONTH! ❤️

Here are some cool facts about the heart:

1. The human heart beats about 100,000 times a day.
2. The human heart is about the size of a fist.
3. The human heart has four chambers—two atria and two ventricles.
4. It takes about 60 seconds for blood to travel through the entire circulatory system.
5. Over an average lifetime, the human heart pumps the equivalent of 1 million barrels of blood.

Source: “Top 10 Facts About the Heart,” Fun Kids – the UK’s Children’s Radio Station, accessed February 4, 2026.

K–1st Grade

In January, our K–1 students had a blast exploring scooter activities! Students learned how to safely use scooter boards while participating in a variety of fun games. These activities emphasized teamwork, positivity, perseverance, and strong communication skills.

2nd–4th Grade

This month in Physical Education, students focused on developing their throwing skills. They practiced important throwing cues such as keeping the arm back, stepping with the opposite foot, aiming with the non-throwing arm, and following through. Through engaging games and activities, students worked on throwing for both power and accuracy. Class favorites included Battleship and Sink the Ship, creative twists on the classic board game many students recognized.

5th–8th Grade

In January, students began and completed our basketball unit in Physical Education—one of the most popular units of the year! Many students showed great improvement throughout the unit. We have now transitioned into our volleyball unit.

Looking ahead, students will be trying on cross-country ski boots as we prepare for outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Families will receive at least 24 hours’ notice, and students should be dressed appropriately to be outdoors for the full PE class.

It’s clay season at WES! The kiln is up and running in its new home, and we are excited to dive into pottery skills. While working with clay is fun, messy, and results in functional creations, these projects also teach important lessons in patience, perseverance, and craftsmanship.

All students began this unit by practicing pinch pots. Fifth graders are learning techniques for adding texture and attachments to their pinch pots. Sixth graders are transforming their pinch pots into creatures—real or imaginary. Seventh graders may be facing the biggest challenge as they create coil mugs. If their coils don’t result in the expected proportions, students have the opportunity to demonstrate creativity and perseverance by designing their own project outcomes based on the fundamentals of coil construction. They will be asked to show extra effort and explain their creative choices. Eighth graders are turning one of their pinch pots into a themed teacup and saucer.

Working with clay is a lengthy process, and the stages of drying, firing, and glazing extend it even further. Below are a few photos of student work highlighting their progress so far.

After a fantastic winter concert season, music classes have settled back into routine and are now working on new curriculum.

In grades 6–8 band, students have begun sight-reading several new pieces of music. Fifth grade band has been focusing on the first five notes, with an emphasis on mastering fingerings, tone, and pitch before moving on to a sixth note. In choir, students have been expanding their solfège skills and practicing singing in harmony through rounds and new warm-up activities.

At WPS, Pre-K students have been singing traditional folk songs and participating in music games. Kindergarten students have been exploring different ways of singing—loud, soft, speaking, and shouting—through a variety of musical activities. First graders have been learning to sing using so and mi and are beginning to read simple rhythms with quarter notes and paired eighth notes.

At NWS, second and third graders have been singing songs using so, mi, and la while continuing to develop their rhythm-reading skills. Fourth graders have started learning to play the recorder! A notice was sent home last week outlining the recorder curriculum and student expectations. Please reach out to Mrs. Dunn with any questions.

Pre-K – Mr. G

Our Pre-K students had lots of laughs earlier this month during a lesson on winter adaptations. Mr. George broke out a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses to illustrate just how appealing migration can be! We also named other animals students might see around Walpole during the winter. February lessons will focus on tracking skills and learning how different animals move using their legs.

Kindergarten – Ms. Greta

Kindergarten students jumped right back into winter explorations after break! We reviewed the strategies animals use to survive winter and began discussing how to find animals during the colder months by using observation skills and identifying animal tracks. We even practiced how different animals move and how their tracks might look based on those movements. In February, we will take a tracking walk around the school to observe and identify the tracks we find!

Grade 1 – Mr. G

First graders enjoyed learning about sheep and wool here in Walpole. We discussed how there were over 10,000 sheep in town nearly 200 years ago, mostly Merinos. Students explored different clothing materials used today, including nylon, polyester, cotton, and wool. We watched a video on sheep farming in Yorkshire to see the day-to-day life of shepherds throughout the seasons. To wrap up the unit, students carded and spun their own wool yarn.

Grade 2 – Mr. G

Second graders have started a unit on birds of prey, such as bald eagles and turkey vultures. We spent time discussing their features and characteristics. Using Cornell’s online resources, students listened to the different calls birds of prey make. Class favorites were the barred owl and the turkey vulture! We ended the month by making cardboard sleds for Winter Fun Day.

Grade 3 – Mr. G & Ms. Greta

Third graders have been busy learning about winter adaptations. We tracked migration patterns of several common birds and learned the differences between dormancy and hibernation. These lessons will continue into February after our sled-making fun.

Grade 4 – Mr. G

Fourth graders have also been learning about sheep and fiber. They thought Mr. G was pulling the wool over their eyes when estimating the number of sheep in Walpole in 1836—historical records show there were over 14,000 ewes! Students learned about wool’s structure and properties and had hands-on experience spinning yarn on drop spindles and carding wool.

Grade 5 – Ms. Greta

Fifth graders have been exploring the world of winter birds, focusing on mixed flocks of songbirds commonly seen in backyards during the winter months. We have learned about 13 species so far and spent time quietly birdwatching on school grounds and across the street at the Walpole Village Cemetery. We will continue studying birds into February before moving on to small winter mammals.

Grade 6 – Ms. Greta

In January, sixth graders dove into Earth Science with a unit on rocks. Students learned about the three main types of rocks—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary—how to identify them, and how to incorporate vocabulary into a rock cycle diagram. We also discussed plate tectonics and the types of rocks found at different plate boundaries. We will finish our rocks unit soon and then move on to water, focusing on the water cycle and wetlands this spring.

Grade 7 – Mr. G

Seventh graders fast-forwarded from the Ice Age to the present day in local biogeography lessons. Students learned how the local landscape has changed over time and how it continues to change due to a variety of factors. They also began learning how to read the history of the landscape through features such as stone walls and fallen trees. Our final lesson of the month was cardboard sled making for Winter Fun Day. The creativity was impressive—let’s hope the engineering holds up!

This month in SEL, we will be wrapping up Second Step for 5th grade, Character Strong for 6th and 7th grades, and the 8th Grade Transition unit for 8th graders. All students will be starting our Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship unit shortly.

As a reminder, 8th graders will be meeting with the high school counselors on February 17. The schedule has already been posted in the 8th Grade SEL Google Classroom. Parents are welcome to attend these meetings virtually—please contact me and I will be happy to share the link.

Matilda, our therapy dog in training, has been joining us at school once a week for the past couple of months and is doing fantastic! Be sure to ask your students about what it’s like having a puppy in training in the building.

Students in grades K–4 will continue their learning with educators Gianna, Rachel, and Ashley. Our time with MCVP will extend through February break. Please refer to our SEL Class Dojo page for weekly reports that include details about SEL and MCVP lessons. Classes will resume with me following the break and will continue through the end of the school year.

Our Pages for Pizza reading challenge is coming up in March! More information will be shared with families later this month. This fun challenge feeds both your brain and your belly—students who meet the reading requirements will earn a ticket for a FREE personal one-topping pizza from Diamond Pizza. A big thank-you to our friends at Diamond Pizza for supporting this challenge each year.

Looking ahead, New Hampshire Statewide Assessment testing for 3rd and 4th graders will take place on April 21, 22, and 23. Please avoid scheduling appointments on these dates to help reduce the need for makeup testing.

If your child is attending an outdoor summer camp and you would like information about tuition assistance through our Outdoor Education Committee, please contact me at ecassarino@sau60.org.