WHS eNotes

Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:

Over the years, the value of homework has been widely debated in education. In a recent Edutopia article, “The Pros and Cons of Homework (in 6 Charts)” (September 26, 2025), Youki Terada shares research-based insights that shed light on this discussion.

Key findings from the studies include:

• Homework tends to add more value as students progress through the grades.
  
  

• For younger learners, the content of homework is especially important.
  
  

• The quality of assignments matters.
  
  

• In high school, the time students spend on homework correlates with achievement.
  
  

• Homework can also contribute to student stress.
  
  

• Family income can increase unfairness in homework assignments.
  
  

I share this with you to provide context for our own approach to homework at Walpole High School. Our goal is always to balance meaningful learning opportunities with student well-being.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

On Friday, October 10th, we are administering the PSAT’s to all Sophomores and Juniors during the school day. As this is school day testing no action is required on the part of students and families. The students have been registered for the test by WHS.

Students should come to school on testing day with their school issued chromebook, pencil for scratch work and a calculator. The PSAT is a digital test.

In order to prepare for the PSAT’s students and families can visit the Collegeboard’s PSAT site.

Other helpful links:

PSAT Student Guide

Parent’s Guide to the Digital PSAT/NMSQT

Please note this is not a numbered day. There are no scheduled classes and all underclassmen need to be at school by 7:25 a.m. Students in 10th & 11th grade will report to the assigned testing rooms. 9th grade students will be participating in a Career Fair, Team Building Exercises and hearing from a guest speaker.

Seniors are encouraged to use this day to focus on their post secondary planning, whether that is college visits, meeting with a recruiter, scheduling interviews or catching up on applications and supplements.

Recently, our school has begun the use of TalkingPoints for two-way communications between teachers and families. Families can send and receive messages either by text or via the TalkingPoints app.

Please note that our system connects one phone number per household for TalkingPoints (generally the first phone number on record in Aspen). If you would like more than one household member to receive TalkingPoints messages, please follow the instructions found below:

https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/documents/other-documents/technology/troubleshooting-tips/848735

If you have trouble with TalkingPoints, please send an email to helpdesk@walpole.k12.ma.us

It’s time for the first PAC meeting of the year! All parents and guardians are invited to join us on October 15th at 7pm in the Media Center. This is a great opportunity to learn about the latest happenings at Walpole High School.

Principal Imbusch will update us on the start of school, including the Field House construction progress and other building renovation plans. In addition, Athletic Director Dave St. Martin will provide an Athletic Department update.

If you have any questions prior to the meeting, please email whspac@walpole.k12.ma.us.

What does the PAC do?

The major activities the PAC supports are related to Staff Appreciation. This year we welcomed staff back with a visit from Palagis ice cream truck. We periodically restock the staff room and will provide breakfast treats on one of the professional development days. Our big annual event is a fun luncheon celebration for all staff in May.

We do not run traditional fundraising efforts. Our annual budget comes from the generosity of our WHS families. Your contributions are always welcome. Please consider making a family donation: Venmo @Whs-Donations (include “PAC donation” in the notes) or by check (payable to WHS PAC and send to the office). Thank you for your support!

Future PAC meeting dates - mark your calendar!

February 25th – Learning about the WHS course selection process

April 28th – The college planning process; parent panel discussion

Looking forward to seeing many of you on October 15th.

WHS PAC Committee

Kathy Falvey, Meghan Alson, Mary Patey, Nancy Niles

The following colleges will be visiting on Wednesday, October 8th during the Intervention Block in the gymnasium. All students are welcome to attend!

• Hartford Art School
• Saint Michael's College
• Binghamton University
• Keene State University
• University of Vermont
• Hofstra University
• Suffolk University
• Westfield State University
• Mass Maritime Academy
• Lasell University
• Mass College of Liberal Arts
• Framingham State University

Best Buddies will hold their first meeting of the year on Monday, October 6th from 2:05-3:00pm in the cafeteria

"The Walpole High School National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is looking for any requests for projects or services where our members can contribute their time, skills, and energy. NAHS is a selected group of creative, talented, and conscientious students dedicated to using their skills to support the community through art. Please fill out this form (https://forms.gle/4DpXdE3m7aaTTQE27) if you or anyone in your community is looking for help with bringing their creative projects to life!"

Do you like to travel? Do you like to participate in community service projects? Are you a global citizen? If you answered yes, then this opportunity may be a good fit for you..

If interested please check out the link and let me know if you have any questions (swick@walpole.k12.ma.us). This trip is available to all students in good academic, conduct and attendance matters. Final deadline for enrollment upcoming; email swick@walpole.k12.ma.us if you have any questions.

We're very excited to see the senior portraits for the Class of 2026! The Due Date for portrait submissions is Friday, Oct. 3rd, 2025. Our next deadline for the senior pages is a baby picture. This is due October 17th. All pictures should be uploaded as jpg, jpeg, or png files and should be titled lastname_firstname. There are 3 ways to submit pictures (senior, baby, candids) to the Yearbook:

1. Seniors can upload and submit to the Yearbook Classroom dropbox assignment

2. Upload to the Yearbook website via https://photos.jostens.com/4NDFVZ

3. Email Mrs. Harris: lharris@walpole.k12.ma.us

please check in with our Class of 2026 Information site for ALL info regarding Senior year, including Yearbook due dates and updates!

Walpole High School is starting its first HOSA – Future Health Professionals chapter! HOSA is a national organization that gives students opportunities to explore healthcare careers, build leadership skills, participate in community service, and compete in health science events at the state and national levels.

Informational Meeting: October 17th, after school in Room 2209, Mr. Mullaney's room.
All students interested in medicine, nursing, research, or healthcare are encouraged to attend!

Starting now until October 27, enter your funny, spooky, or cute pets in costume photos to the Humane Society (whshumanesociety@walpole.k12.ma.us). The winner will be announced on Halloween and there will be prizes... Cash donations can be given to Mrs Wilson or Mrs Thornton and will be given to local animal shelters.

Photography club met this week and had some great pictures of fall leaves. It was a little early but the students had some great pictures. This upcoming week the theme will be birds. The weather is supposed to be fantastic this weekend so get out and bird watch and take some pictures. It can be of any types of birds whether it is Cardinals, Robins, Blue Jays, Crows, or even ducks and swans, whatever birds you see around you. Maybe you'll even see a wild turkey around. If you want to follow the Photography Club check out our Instagram: @photography_whs123

Timber Talk will premiere on our YouTube channel every Tuesday with highlights from previous WHS games and previews of upcoming schedules.

Here is this week's show

FamilyID will be open beginning Monday, October 6th to register for winter sports. It will remain open until 11AM, Wednesday November 26th. Register early so you don't forget.

The Athletic website is located on the High School homepage. On this page, you will find forms, registration instructions, online payments, Twitter information, coaches' contact information, and an athletic calendar with the daily game schedules.

There is an Athletic Handbook found on the site as well. Please read it. I look forward to meeting you all, and seeing you at the games in the upcoming year cheering on the Walpole Timberwolves.

David St. Martin

Athletic Director

Walpole Timberwolves apparel check out the link below.

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/massachusetts/walpole/walpole-high-school

For a list of upcoming events please click on the following link: https://sites.google.com/a/walpole.k12.ma.us/athletics/

Email: dstmartin@walpole.k12.ma.us

Phone: 508-660-7257
Twitter: @WalpolehighADSM

Email: simbusch@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/whs
Location: 275 Common Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleHS

Instagram: @WalpoleHighSchool