OPR Weekly Update

Dear OPR Families,

MCAS testing is well underway at OPR! Our 3rd and 4th grade students have completed the majority of their assessments, with only a few make-up tests remaining. Over the next two weeks, our 5th grade students will take part in the Math and Science/Technology Engineering portions of the MCAS. We are proud of our students for their hard work and focus throughout this testing season and appreciate your continued support at home.

We also invite you to join us for the Walpole Public Schools District Art Show, taking place this Wednesday from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Walpole Public Library. We are thrilled to share that 85 OPR students will have their artwork on display. As we move into the final stretch of the school year, we are excited for the many upcoming special events and activities. We look forward to seeing our families come together to celebrate these moments with us!

Watch this week's OPR Video News by clicking here.

Have a great weekend!

David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us

Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us

Monday begins Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!

Wednesday evening is the District Art Show!

Thursday evening is the PAC Meeting - 7PM - in the STEM Lab or connect virtually.

Friday is the whole school assembly Cirque Us.

May

5 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!

6 Grade 5 Math MCAS

7 Grade 5 Math MCAS

7 Walpole Public Schools District Art Show at the Walpole Public Library from 6-8 PM

8 PAC sponsored Gr. 3 High Touch High Tech: Friction Gives Me Traction program

8 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM

9 PAC sponsored school assembly Cirque Us

14 Grade 5 Science MCAS

15 Grade 5 Science MCAS

15 Grade 2 Field Trip to Southwick's Zoo

15 Incoming Kindergarten Parent Orientation in the Cafeteria from 6:30-7:30 PM. This is for parents of next year's kindergarten students.

16 Early Release - Dismissal is at 11:55 (beginning at 11:49)

16 Student Council Spirit Day: OPR/Walpole Day - Wear your OPR/Walpole attire or colors.

16 Grade 4 Senior VIP Event

19 Walpole High School Graduating Seniors (former OPR students) Visit!

21 Grade 3 Field Trip to Illusion Museum

21 Grade 5 Team Building Event at TreeTop Adventures

21 Music Concert - Kindergarten at 9:30 - Families are welcome!

21 Music Concert - Grade 1 at 10:15 - Families are welcome!

22 Music Concert - Grade 3 at 9:00 - Families are welcome!

22 Music Concert - Grade 2 at 9:45 - Families are welcome!

23 Music Concert - Grade 4 at 9:00 - Families are welcome!

23 Music Concert - Grade 5 at 9:45 - Families are welcome!

23 Kindergarten Field Trip to Franklin Park Zoo

26 No School - Memorial Day

OPR MCAS TESTING DATES: SPRING 2025

Dear Families,

There are now 7 weeks of school remaining. Please access the current newsletter using the link below to see our progress to date regarding the number of students who have 18 or more absences. Our numbers are still trending positively!

https://secure.smore.com/n/cf0e2
This newsletter is also available on our district web page.

--

Edward Connor
Dean of Student Support & Attendance
Walpole Public Schools

econnor@walpole.k12.ma.us

508-660-7257 ext. 5020

The District Art Show is on Wednesday, May 7th from 6-8pm at the Walpole Public Library. OPR has 85 student artists featured in the show. There will be many kinds of artwork including drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. All families are encouraged to come and enjoy the spectacular displays of creativity from OPR's selected artists!

Wednesday May 7th

6:00 - 8:00p

Walpole Public Library

Throughout the year, artwork was selected from each grade and each assignment to showcase the breadth of studio experience, range of visual expression, and depth of learning in the art room.

With drawings, painting, collage, prints, photographs, digital images, spatial design, mixed media, weavings, and sculpture, students communicate their ideas about who they are, where they live, and how they feel.

The four elementary schools rotate start and end times every three years. The 2025-2026 School Year represents year one of the next rotation. The OPR start time will be 35 minutes later. Boyden and Fisher School will start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Elm Street and Old Post Road School will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Student arrival time is 8:50-9:00. Students are tardy after 9:00. We want to provide this information to families early so you can plan accordingly.

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."

OPR students had a fantastic April, celebrating and appreciating the unique qualities that make each individual special. We can’t believe how quickly the school year is flying by! Our students have been busy, working hard, and making the most of every moment. Here’s a look at what they’ve been up to…

In Kindergarten, students have been learning to recognize and celebrate their own unique strengths and talents. As part of our social-emotional learning focus, we’ve explored themes of self-love and acceptance through read-alouds like I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Peanut Butter & Cupcake by Terry Border. These stories sparked meaningful conversations about confidence, friendship, and appreciating what makes each person special. Hands-on activities like 'All About Me' posters and friendship-building games have helped students express who they are while learning to respect and embrace differences in others. It’s been a heartwarming and empowering experience for our young learners.

First graders have been learning all about friendship! Through stories, discussions, and hands-on activities, they’ve been exploring what it means to be a good friend—how to share, listen, take turns, and show kindness. It’s been heartwarming to see their social skills grow as they build stronger classroom communities.

Our second graders are learning the importance of accepting and celebrating what makes each of us unique. Through stories, discussions, and activities, we’re exploring how kindness, empathy, and self-respect help build a stronger, more inclusive community. We're also encouraging students to recognize their own strengths and practice self-love—because understanding and valuing ourselves is the first step to truly accepting others.

Our third graders had a blast soaking up the beautiful weather during a fun and meaningful Friendship Scavenger Hunt! Students paired up and practiced teamwork, communication, and creativity as they worked through each activity. It was a great way to build connection and cooperation while enjoying the outdoors!

Fourth-grade students our students have been exploring important social-emotional themes centered around accepting differences, navigating friendship conflicts, and embracing both themselves and others. Through thoughtful discussions, role-playing, and creative projects like self-portraits, students reflected on their unique qualities and learned to appreciate the diversity in their classroom community. These lessons have encouraged empathy, respectful communication, and a deeper understanding of how to build and maintain positive, inclusive friendships.

In fifth grade, we had some thoughtful discussions about character traits and the impact our choices—both positive and negative—can have on others. Students took time to reflect on their own personal traits and shared what they felt were their strongest qualities. It was a meaningful way to build self-awareness and reinforce the importance of empathy and responsibility.

OPR PAC MEETING

Thursday, May 8th @ 7:00pm in the OPR STEM Lab

Connect by Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/jye-tjgr-mcb

The OPR PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) is a very active and important part of our school community. The PAC's specific purpose is to enhance the school community and learning environment through volunteer and fundraising efforts; and connect, engage and inform parents.

The OPR PAC does incredible work with many volunteers and active supporters to add to the OPR community. The Officers of the PAC serve one-year terms from July 1st to June 30th. The PAC is currently looking for interested candidates for the following positions:

• President - Develops agendas, presides over all meetings, oversees financial affairs, responsible for general PAC management, ensure that all decisions of the quorum shall be implemented, and serve as the main liaison with the Principal of OPR.
• Vice President - Assist the President in developing agendas for all meetings, overseeing financial affairs, and general management of the PAC.
• Secretary/Clerk - Responsible for record keeping and correspondence, record and distribute the minutes of all proceedings, provide notice of all meetings, maintain the archive of minutes and by-laws and distribute mail.
• Treasurer - Overall responsibility for the funds, disburse approved funds; make monthly financial reports to the members, report bi-monthly on the execution of the annual budget, complete and file taxes and annual report.

If you are considering a position, please know that the current Board seeks to facilitate a smooth and supported transition and will be available moving forward. If you are interested or have any questions, contact the PAC through email or Mr. Barner by phone or email.

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

February 2025 - $108.60

March 2025 - $128.40

April 2025 - $88.20

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.

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

OPR Website

Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road

East Walpole, MA 02032

508-660-7219

ASPEN FAMILY PORTAL

OPR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENU

OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

WPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK/CODE OF CONDUCT

WPS 2024-2025 CALENDAR

WPS EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM

WPS ONLINE SAFETY HUB

WPS HEALTH SERVICES WEBSITE

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.

INTERFACE REFERRAL SERVICE

Office of Student Support & Attendance: November Newsletter

• Summer S.T.E.M. Academy; K-3 (July 7-25 & July 29 - August 15); Grades 4-8 (July 7-25 & July 28-August 15). See flyer for more info.

To collect donations for the Walpole Food Pantry the Walpole High School National Honor Society is running a donations box at OPR. We will be collecting donations weekly from April 28 to May 16 in the OPR lobby. Specifically paper towels and toilet paper are in high demand, but all donations are greatly appreciated!

The United States Attorney’s Office will be hosting a virtual internet safety presentation for all adults who wish to keep children safe online. Assistant United States Attorney Luke Goldworm and Victim Witness Specialist Lauryn Mackey will be joined by Special Agent Andrew Kelleher from Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation and Digital Forensics Unit to present a Webex Webinar:

Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents

Wednesday, June 4th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

A Q & A session will follow the presentation. The presentation will bring awareness to how predators are sexually exploiting children online and how to keep them safe.

Advanced registration is required. You may register for the webinar at the link below:

https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r4617269953953d7a4aaa839f6c3e110b

See the attachment for details or click here.

The Walpole Cultural Council is pleased to announce the return of Walpole Writes, a town-wide writing contest open to all residents of Walpole (as well as non-resident students of Walpole schools).

First, second, and third-place winners will be selected and publicly announced in 5 age groups and 2 categories.The age groups are: elementary school (grades K-2), elementary school (grades 3-5), middle school, high school, and adult. The categories are short story and poem. Writers may choose to write about any topic.

The contest is open through April 30 and winners will be announced in May. To submit an entry, writers must complete an entry form with their entry uploaded by April 30. The entry form can be found here:

https://bit.ly/walpolewrites25

Winners will be recognized at a celebration at the Walpole Public Library mid-June. Additional event details will be shared at a later date. The Walpole Cultural Council will create a publication of winning entries. Walpole Writes is sponsored by Dedham Savings Bank.