OPR Weekly Update
January 3, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
It was nice to see so many students enthusiastic about returning to school yesterday. In many classrooms, students worked on writing goals, resolutions, or even "one word" on which they can focus for the short term. One Word is an inspirational way for students to identify an important word to stay motivated and set a positive goal word for the year. Some of our 4th graders selected words such as: Loyal, Energetic, Organized, Mature, Creative, Focus, Believe, Honest, Independent, and Brave.
Happy New Year!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
January
9 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab, 7:00 PM
13 Walpole Fire Department Fire Safety Presentation for Kindergarten, Gr. 1 and Gr. 2 Students
16 PAC Sponsored Grade 4 Program: High Touch High Tech: Funomena
17 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
17 Student Council Spirit Day: Career Day! Dress like what you want to do when you grow up!
20 No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
22 OPR After School Winter Enrichment Registration Opens at 9:00 AM.
23 PAC Sponsored Grade 3 STEM Night! Free Science Night! 6-7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
24 Grade 5 Neponset Valley Watershed Presentation
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 Grade 5 Neponset Valley Watershed Presentation (Part 2)
February
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
13 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab, 7:00 PM
17-21 Vacation Week
WPS Attendance Newsletter
Student Support & Attendance December Newsletter
"Is my child absent because they're trying to avoid going to school?"
Smart Watches/Electronic Devices
Cellular Phones/Electronic Devices Students may not use cellular phones, smart watches, or other electronic devices during the day. If students need to have one of the above devices for an out of school purpose, the device must be kept turned off and remain in the backpack. If a student is found to have an electronic device in his or her possession, outside of the backpack, it will be kept in the office until a parent is able to pick it up.
This is according to the WPS Elementary Student and Parent Handbook, Page 19.
Digital Learning with Mrs. Milnamow
Additionally, with technology becoming so commonplace, we try to instill in students the behaviors and habits needed to care for our devices at home and at school and to use them appropriately. School devices should only be used for school tasks such as using school-assigned programs, completing homework, and researching topics for school. Chromebooks are only taken home in select classrooms at certain times with the permission of the teacher. These devices need to be packed and transported gently to avoid damage and brought back to school every day charged and ready for learning. Home devices, with permission from parents or guardians, can be used for gaming, shopping, watching videos, communicating with friends, etc. These are not appropriate ways to use school chromebooks.
At both home and school, adults and students should strive to find a balance between the technology world and the screen-free world. This is hard work and takes thoughtful planning, routines, and expectations to keep us all on track. Now is a wonderful time to sit down, reevaluate our behaviors and set some goals for the future. Let’s work together to make 2025 the best year yet!
STEM with Mrs. Morris
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
