OPR Weekly Update
January 24, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
The OPR Student Council, consisting of 4th and 5th grade representatives, met today to discuss some upcoming events in which the whole school community may take part. Coming up soon is the OPR Student Council Talent Show. The Student Council emcees the event and works backstage to make this night a free, fun, family event that showcases our students' talents. The Student Council also agreed to collaborate with our School Counselors to celebrate Kindness Week during the week of February 10th. The week will be filled with kindness! Our annual food drive will also be held during Kindness Week. Finally, the next Student Council Spirit Day is Tie Dye (or multicolor) Day and will be held on Friday, February 7th.
Click here to watch the OPR Video News from this week.
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
January
29 Gr. 5 visits Walpole Middle School Drama: The Mystery of Shady Acres
29 OPR After School Winter Enrichment Registration Closes at 4 PM.
30 PAC Sponsored Grade 2 STEM Night! Free Science Night! 6-7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
31 Term I Report Cards will be viewable in the Aspen Family Portal
31 Grade 5 Neponset Valley Watershed Presentation (Part 2)
February
4 OPR Student Council Talent Show Auditions, 3-4:00 in the OPR Cafeteria
5 Grade 5 Tubing Trip After School
6 OPR Student Council Talent Show Auditions, 3-4:00 in the OPR Cafeteria
7 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
7 Student Council Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day (or Multicolor) - Wear tie dye or multicolor clothes!
7 PAC Sponsored Stay on the Half Day
10 OPR After School Winter Enrichment Program Begins This Week
12 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab, 7:00 PM (Meeting is on Wednesday Night.)
17-21 Vacation Week
27 PAC Sponsored Grade 4 and 5 STEM Night! Free Science Night! 6-7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
March
4 OPR Student Council Talent Show Dress Rehearsal, 3-4:30 at OPR Cafeteria
6 OPR Student Council Talent Show! at the Walpole Middle School Auditorium starting at 6:00 PM. Free for the whole family!
11 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5-7:00 PM
13 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5-7:00 PM
14 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 1-3:00 PM
14 Early Release at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
14 Student Council Spirit Day: Hawaiian Day!
14 PAC sponsored Grade 3 Author Visit: David Biedrzycki
17 PAC sponsored Harney Irish Step School Performance
18 PAC sponsored Grade 2 Author/Cartoonist Visit: Skip SanGiacomo
28 Student Council Spirit Day: Dress Like a Teacher Day!
28 Early Release at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)
28 PAC Stay on the Half Day
28 PAC sponsored Spring Dance: K, 1, 2 - 5:30-7:15 and Gr. 3, 4, 5 - 7:45-9:30
Extended Day February Vacation Camp
The Extended Day Program is offering a February Vacation Camp for the upcoming school break, February 18 - February 20. The Camp is open to all Walpole Schools students in grades K—5 and will be held at Boyden School. More information can be found HERE. If you have any questions, please contact Dan Santangelo, Director of Extended Day, at dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us.
Families can create an account/register at this link: Vacation Camp
WPS Attendance Newsletter
From the WPS Office of Student Support & Attendance:
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
This newsletter is also posted on the WPS website.
Edward Connor
Dean of Student Support & Attendance
Walpole Public Schools
508-660-7257 ext. 5020
News from the Nurse
We've recently seen an increase in students with the stomach bug and with strep throat symptoms. Please monitor your child for the following:
Stomach Bug: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes low-grade fever.
Strep Throat: Sore throat, fever (sometimes presents without a fever), difficulty swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, nausea/abdominal pain and sometimes headache or rash.
If your child exhibits these symptoms, please keep them home and contact your child’s pediatrician. Remind children about proper handwashing and hygiene practices.
Your student needs to be fever free and vomiting free for at least 24 hours before they can return to school.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school healthy!
Bonnie Kowalsky, RN
508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
STEM Materials Needed!
STEM is collecting clean recyclable materials for a special project and would love your help! If you have any empty cereal boxes, snack boxes, or similar cardboard packaging, please send them in with your child.
Please ensure that the items are clean and free from food residue so they are ready for use. This will help us create a fun and eco-friendly learning experience for the students!
Thank you for your support!
Music with Ms. Yee
2025 is off to an amazing start in the Music Room! Students returned from winter break eager to learn and continue to be creative musicians. Please see recent grade level learning activities below.
Happy New Year Everyone! "Auld Lang Syne" Ms. Yee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS5A1xY-G4E
Grade K & 1
Singing, Movement & Instruments: Students continue to warm up their voices kinesthetically using “body sounds” in Grade K and “hand signs” in Grade 1. Students had a great time adding a humming voice and playing classroom instruments to a song called, “The Gnome”. “Page’s Train", “Tap it Here” and “Penguin Polka” were big hits that reinforced tempo, partner work and A/B patterns.
Composition & Literacy: Students read iconic and traditional rhythms in a game called, “Let’s Skate” . Kindergarteners created “Penguin Compositions” showing low to high while Grade 1 experienced reading low and high notes on the music staff. Great work!
Grade 2 & 3
Singing and Instruments: In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Grade 2 students learned a new song called “The Dream of Martin”. They added a repeated pattern to accompany the refrain section of the song using classroom instruments. Grade 3 students enjoyed learning two new songs called, “Knock no more!” & “Stop The Train”. Students will sing them in a round over the next few months. They are also working on their fourth and fifth recorder song. Keep practicing:)
Movement: Both grades enjoyed learning a traditional folk dance from the United States called, “Tideo”. The upbeat melody and patterns of movement created an enormous amount of excitement for all!
Grades 4 & 5
Instruments & Literacy: Upper elementary musicians have been excited to start the long anticipated unit on playing ukulele! Grade 4 students are learning about “open strings” and have learned their first chord (C7). Grade 5 students reviewed the C major and A minor chords and learned a new chord.d (F). They will continue to learn new chords and songs over the next few months.
Singing & Ensemble Playing: Students continue to enjoy ensemble playing. Both grade levels had a great time layering instruments using an African melody. They enjoyed rotating stations while playing a variety of percussion instruments using five different rhythm patterns!
Movement: Students in Grade 4 learned a fun dance from France called, “Chimes of Dunkirk”. Students in Grade 5 learned a dance from Scotland called, The “OXO” reel. These activities are in long formation and include moves called; sashay, four hand star, and allemande turns. It’s been wonderful to see upper elementary students enjoying movement from “days gone past” (Auld Lang Syne/Old Scottish).
Social Emotional Learning with Ms. Bishop & Mrs. Murray
Welcome to 2025! This January, we’ve been diving into the important topic of Goal Setting with your children. We’ve been learning about the steps needed to set and achieve goals while focusing on responsibility, perseverance, and nurturing a growth mindset. Our students have been working hard to set their own attainable goals, breaking them down into manageable steps, and reflecting on their progress along the way.
In addition to setting goals, we’re encouraging students to celebrate small successes and learn from challenges. They’re developing skills that will help them in school and beyond through classroom activities and discussions.
OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
WPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK/CODE OF CONDUCT
On this site you can find links to forms (i.e. medication administration, over the counter medication consent forms), medication policies, and information regarding illnesses, concussions and injuries.
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
mabel's labels
https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/
Starting to lose those water bottles? Put a label on it! Please navigate to Support a Fundraiser and select Old Post Road Parent Advisory Committee.
Box Tops
Download the App for BoxTops for Education and scan receipt within 14 days of purchase. Assign Credit by selecting the Star and entering the Teacher’s Last name before you hit submit.
PAC Socal Media / Contact Info.
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPR.PAC
please add: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/oprpacwalpole
Email with questions: oprpacwalpole@gmail.com
OPR Textile Bin Donations
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:
January 2024 - $85.80
February 2024 - $104.10
March 2024 - $71.70
April 2024 - $83.70
May 2024 - $114.90
June 2024 - $100.50
July 2024 - $100.20
August 2024 - $115.80
September 2024 - $59.10
October 2024 - $113.40
November 2024 - $141.00
December 2024 - $92.10
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
2024 Calendar Year Total - $1182.30
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.
About Us
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
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
508-660-7219
Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department
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
