OPR Weekly Update
February 28, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
We are thrilled to invite you to The Stars of OPR—our annual Student Council Talent Show, where our talented K-5 students will take the stage to showcase their incredible skills! This free family event will take place on Thursday, March 6th, at 6:00 PM at the beautiful new Walpole Middle School. Come cheer on our amazing performers and celebrate their hard work and creativity! We look forward to seeing you there for a night of fun, talent, and community spirit!
In addition, our Student Council/Kindness Week Food Collection for the Walpole Food Pantry continues for the next two weeks. Donation boxes are in the lobby, and we encourage families to send in generous contributions to support this important cause.
If you haven't signed up for Parent-Teacher Conferences, please do so below. Be sure to check out your child's report card posted on the Aspen Family Portal prior to conferences.
Click here to watch the OPR Video News from this week.
Have a nice weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
Highlights for the Week Ahead
Tuesday afternoon is the Talent Show dress rehearsal at OPR from 3-4:30ish. Emcees and Crew do not need to attend. Students will be allowed to call for a ride home after they perform.
Thursday at 6 PM, you should join us for the Talent Show! Free for the whole family! Performers, emcees and crew should arrive at 5:30 PM.
Thursday is the grade 1 field trip to Moose Hill.
March
4 OPR Student Council Talent Show Dress Rehearsal, 3-4:30 at OPR Cafeteria
6 Gr. 1 Field Trip to Moose Hill
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
14 PAC Blingo Night for Adults
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 sponsored Spring Dance: K, 1, 2 - 5:30-7:15 and Gr. 3, 4, 5 - 7:45-9:30
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Sign Up Now!
Parent-Teacher Conferences are in March. In order to best meet the needs of all of our families and allow for a little more flexibility with our conference scheduling, we are using Google Appointments for all teachers for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences. Conferences will take place on March 11th between 5:00 - 7:00pm, March 13th between 5:00 - 7:00pm, and on the Early Release Day on March 14th between 1:00 - 3:00pm. All conferences are in person. If families need a virtual conference, they should reach out directly to the teacher to arrange that option.
Below is the spreadsheet that contains the links to each individual teacher's appointment calendar. Families should use those links to sign up for a conference with any of the teachers listed. Grade 4 and 5 families will make an appointment with the homeroom teacher. If you are having trouble with the links or finding a time that works, please reach out to the individual teacher.
Report Cards - Now Viewable in the Aspen Family Portal
As of Friday, January 31st, families have access to their child's Elementary Standard Based Report Cards and Special Education Progress Report (if applicable) in the Aspen Family Portal.
The Term I report card communicates student progress toward meeting end-of-the-year learning standards. The slight, but important, change made several years ago to the descriptors of the Academic Performance Levels is the phrase “at this time”. The purpose of including this phrase is to share with families where their students are academically, at this time of the year.
Teachers assess student performance against these learning standards, which are specific and observable grade-level skills. Our report cards reflect the learning standards as outlined in the current Massachusetts State Frameworks. Teachers assess by measuring individual student performance against the identified concrete learning standards, rather than in relation to the performance of other students.
Please check out the Parent/Guardian Guide by CLICKING HERE
Extended Day Summer Program
We are excited to announce that Extended Day will be running a Summer Program this upcoming summer and registration is now live. We are anticipating registration to fill quickly and will do our best to enroll as many waitlisted students as possible.
This year, the camp will run for 4 weeks at Fisher Elementary and offer an Extended Day PM option for families. Registration will be open for incoming first-sixth graders. Registration will be available for individual weeks and families will have the option to register for all 4 weeks at a discounted rate.
Please see the attached PDF regarding Summer Camp Information and Registration Information for the Summer of 2025 and reach out to Dan Santangelo (dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us) or Evan Storlazzi (estorlazzi@walpole.k12.ma.us) with any questions."
WPS February Attendance Newsletter
From the WPS Office of Student Support & Attendance:
Please see the February Newsletter: February Newsletter: What percentage of students have 5 or fewer absences after 100 days?
Edward Connor
Dean of Student Support & Attendance
Walpole Public Schools
508-660-7257 ext. 5020
News from the Nurse
The OPR Health Office is in immediate need of gently used clothing donations. All sizes welcome, with a particular focus on sweatpants and leggings in sizes 10-16 for both male and female. Donations of new underwear are most appreciated as well. THANK YOU!!
As always:
Your student needs to be fever free and vomiting free for at least 24 hours, without the help of any fever-reducing medication, before they can return to school.
Bonnie Kowalsky, RN
508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
February is Black History Month
Throughout the month, our students have been actively engaged in celebrating Black History Month through a variety of enriching activities. Across classrooms, students have been reading books by African American authors and learning about influential Black figures in history. Through read-alouds, classroom discussions, and interactive resources like BrainPop and Scholastic News, students have explored the lives and accomplishments of leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, and Katherine Johnson. Some students researched a historical figure of their choice and showcased their learning through creative infographics. Others explored the world of art by studying Alma Woodsey Thomas and creating their own abstract paintings inspired by her work. Music has also played a role in our celebration, as students listened to and reflected on songs by African American artists. These activities have provided meaningful opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of Black history and the contributions of so many remarkable individuals.
Check out the OPR Video News (link above) to see some student research presentations and more.
Music with Ms. Yee
Grade K-1
Singing, Movement & Instruments: “Groundhog Day”, “Black Snake”, Twinkle Star” (K) “Moon Madness”, Jump Jim Joe” “King Glory” (1st). Played desk bells and xylophones to accompany songs.
Composers/Musicians: Spotlight on Mozart’s “Twinkle Variations”, Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. Student’s loved learning about these artists.
Coming soon! Students will create their own illustrations to the song “What a Wonderful World” and create a class book using "Book Creator”.
Grade 2-3
Singing & Movement: “Rocky Mt.”, “Do,Re,Mi” (2nd) “America” & “Alabama Gal” (3rd)
Instruments & Literacy: Xylophones and recorders. “Dr. Musik” for note recognition.
Composers/Musicians: Read the autobiography by living Jazz great, “Trombone Shorty”. Learned about American poet Katherine Lee Bates.
Coming Soon! Students will create their own verses to a known folk song (2nd) and compose their own recorder melodies (3rd).
Grade 4-5
Singing & Movement: Some genres from the African American heritage; “Draw Me a Bucket”, “Big Fat Biscuit” & “Shake the Papaya”.
Ukulele & Literacy: “Lime in the Coconut” (4th) “Can’t Stop the Feeling” (5th) New chords introduced and a variety of strumming patterns explored. "Dr. Musik" for rhythm recognition.
Composers/Musicians: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Troy Andrews (Trombone Shorty). Past and present Jazz musicians and their amazing contributions to music.
Coming Soon! Students will learn a lively Sea Chantey and be introduced to a traditional drumming circle using complex rhythms.
Social Emotional Learning with Ms. Bishop and Mrs. Murray
As we transition into March, we're gearing up for a month filled with learning and growth under the theme of "The Power to Choose." Throughout March, our students will be diving into essential life skills such as decision-making, conflict resolution, responsibility, test-taking strategies, hygiene, understanding consequences, and honesty.
We're enthusiastic about guiding our students as they develop these crucial skills, empowering them to make informed choices and navigate life's challenges with confidence.
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
January 2025 - $210
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
