WMS Newsletter

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Parent-teacher conferences are a great way to address academic concerns and support your child’s learning. We value a strong partnership between home and school and welcome your involvement as much as possible. However, please know that a conference is not required if your child is making steady progress. We look forward to collaborating with you to ensure your child’s success.

It may help you to know a few specifics:

• Each teacher is available for drop-in visits. Teacher locations will be available when you arrive. There are no appointments.

• Report cards will be released on November 12, prior to conferences. Please review your child's report card in advance so you can come to the conference with any specific questions or areas you would like to discuss.

• Please bring a list of your child’s teachers with you.

• Teachers have been asked to be cognizant of the 5 minute time limit. In order to assist with this, parents/guardians are encouraged to respectfully knock after waiting 5 minutes.

Parent Teacher Conference Dates:

11/12 - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

11/13 - 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

11/16 - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

If your child will be absent, tardy or dismissed during the school day for an appointment or other reason, please complete the Dismissal Google Form prior to the absence or least two hours prior to the dismissal time. This allows our office staff to prepare and ensure a smooth dismissal process.

We greatly appreciate your support in following these procedures to minimize disruptions to classroom learning. By notifying us in advance, we can avoid calling into classrooms and interrupting lessons as much as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

Health Screenings:

Grade 6 Parents:

In Massachusetts, public schools are required per Mass General Laws to screen students periodically for the purpose of identifying health-related concerns. More information about the health screenings can be found in the WMS student/parent handbook.

The following health screenings will take place beginning in November.

• Grade 6: Hearing/Vision

Additionally, if you wish to opt your child out of a required health screening, please notify the school nurses Samantha Ludwig (sludwig@walpole.k12.ma.us) and Julie Slotnick (jslotnick@walpole.k12.ma.us) in writing no later than October 30, 2026. In this email please include your child's name, grade and the screening you wish to opt your child out of. Please send in your child's most recent physical at this time, if you have not done so already this year.

Inhalers

If your child requires an inhaler at school, please send the following into the health office:

1. Asthma Action Plan/doctor's order dated after July 1, 2026.

2. Inhaler in a labeled pharmacy box

3. Parent permission form

Over the Counter Medications:

In order for students to receive over the counter medication while in school, a permission form must be filled out each school year. Please complete the form (see below) and return to the health office. If would like a paper copy sent home, please contact either Mrs. Ludwig (sludwig@walpole.k12.ma.us) or Mrs. Slotnick (jslotnick@walpole.k12.ma.us).

While it may seem early, it is a great time for our 8th grade students to begin thinking about what they would like their high school experience to look like.

In order to start this process, we have the following upcoming presentations at school for our 8th grade students:

📅 Walpole High School Visit: October 29th

📅 Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Visit: November 3rd

📅 Norfolk Agricultural High School Visit: November 9th

More information about the high school selection and application process will be shared with families as we move through the school year. For now, we encourage students to stay curious, ask questions, and begin exploring the possibilities that high school has to offer!

Private School Applicants

If your child is applying to private school, please note the following:

1. Many of the applications are completed through an online application system called Ravenna. You will be able to send the recommendation request to your child’s teacher and counselor through Ravenna; however, we strongly encourage you to have your child speak to their school counselor and teacher(s), as well, to let us know about their applications and to personally request the completion of the forms.

2. Please note, a parent/guardian must also sign the ‘Transcript Release Form,’ and have your child bring that to their School Counselor in order for transcripts to be uploaded and for applications to be completed.

3. Staff members will need at least a two week notice when requesting recommendations.

We are excited to introduce a new feature at WMS called “Student Spotlight”!

We believe that learning and achievement happen both inside and outside the school.

Whether your child has achieved something in dance, music, sports, art, volunteering, competitions, community service, or any other activity, we would love to celebrate their accomplishments!

If your child has achieved something they are proud of, or if there is an accomplishment you would like to share, we invite you to sign up using the Google Form below. Your submission may be featured in an upcoming school newsletter to recognize and celebrate our students’ hard work, dedication, and talents.

Every achievement matters, big or small, and we look forward to celebrating the wonderful things our students are doing beyond the classroom!

Google Form

The grade 8 leaders will be hosting a dodgeball tournament for grade 6 students on Tuesday Nov 17th in the WMS gym.

1. The tournament will be from 2:30-5:00 and students will need to be picked up, as there is no bus that late.
2. Teams can have 10 students max but we welcome all students to sign up and we will work to find a team for them.
3. The cost is $5.00 per player and students are asked to give the money to their homeroom teacher. Cash is preferred.
4. Students need to sign up by Thursday November 12th.

Students can sign up using the Google Form below (also located on their Grade Based Google Classroom).

Google Form Sign Up:

Dodgeball sign up form

Any questions please email Mrs. Svendsen csvendsen@walpole.k12.ma.us or Mrs. Bodenrader nbodenrader@walpole.k12.ma.us

Get ready for another WMS Spelling Bee!

Please see important dates below:

• Study Materials available from ELA teachers, Mrs. Svendsen or on Grade Based Google Classrooms starting on 10/21/26.
• Sign ups to be a part of the Grade Based Bees will be available on Grade Based Google Classrooms (Google Form) from November 23-November 25
• Grade Based Spelling Bees will be held the week of December 14-December 18
• Finalists from the Grade Based Spelling Bees will be announced and provided information to prepare for the School Spelling Bee prior to the winter break.

The School Spelling Bee will be held on Friday, January 8, 2027

Any questions about the Spelling Bee please email Mrs. Svendsen:

csvendsen@walpole.k12.ma.us

Stay tuned for more details and get excited!

Walpole Middle School Picture Retake Day

Friday, November 13th

If you're satisfied with your child's picture, no further action is required.

If you purchased and were unhappy with your Picture Package, please send your Picture Package to school with your student on Retake Day. Your Retake Picture Package will be produced and shipped to the school four weeks after Retake Day. Please note, if your child is photographed on the original and Retake Picture Days, the Retake picture will replace the original picture in certain products, like the yearbook.

Students who were absent for Picture Day should come to school prepared to have their picture taken. If you have not preordered, please use the Retake Order Code 0760HWF to place your order at https://inter-state.com/Order. To see your Order History, check your Inter-State Account.

Find answers to Retake Day questions here.

Over the past week, students at WMS took time to reflect on one of our core values: Responsibility! Students explored what responsibility looks like throughout the school day, from coming to class prepared and following expectations to cleaning up after themselves at lunch and showing respect for others in the hallways, at recess, and on the bus.

During lunch, students had the opportunity to share their own ideas about how they can demonstrate responsibility in our school community. Their responses will be displayed on our responsibility wall as a reminder that even small, everyday choices can make a big difference!

We are proud of our students for taking the time to think about how their actions contribute to making WMS a positive, respectful, and welcoming place for everyone. When we each do our part, we help strengthen our school community!

Spanish students in Ms. Farquharson's class created projects about their likes and dislikes. They wrote in complete sentences and created visuals to represent their information.

November

3 - Tri County to visit Grade 8 Assembly

6 - Term 1 Ends

9 - Norfolk Aggie to visit Grade 8 Assembly

10 - National Junior Honor Society Induction; 6-7 PM

11 - Veterans Day, No School

12 - WMS Parent Teacher Conferences; 5-7 PM

13- Picture Re-Take Day

13 - Early Release Day

13 - WMS Parent Teacher Conferences; 12:30-2:30 PM

16 - Grade 8 Green Team to Edward M. Kennedy Institute

16 - WMS Parent Teacher Conferences; 5-7 PM

17 - WMS School Council Meeting; 2:45 PM

17 - WMS PAC Meeting; 7:00 PM

18 - Grade 8 Blue Team to Edward M. Kennedy Institute

19 - Grade 8 Orange Team to Edward M. Kennedy Institute

25 - WMS Turkey Trot

25 - Early Release Day, 11:25; Thanksgiving Break

26-27 - Thanksgiving Break, No School

December

8 - Grade 6 Band, Orchestra and Chorus Concert; 7-8 PM

10 - WMS Drama, "The Girl with the Golden Locks"; 7-9 PM

11 - WMS Drama, "The Girl with the Golden Locks"; 7-9 PM

15 - Band Concert, Grades 7 and 8; 7-8 PM

16 - Orchestra Concert, Grades 7 and 8; 7-8 PM

17 - Chorus Concert, Grades 7 and 8; 7-8 PM

23-January 1, No School Winter Break

January

4 - Classes Resume

This Humanities site for parents serves as an informational hub for curriculum topics in ELA, Social Studies and Reading.

Please be sure to read the IXL tab in the website.

The WMS Math Website is a resource for parents designed to help you stay informed about the Math concepts students are learning at the Walpole Middle School. Click Here to access the link.

Here is the link to the Related Arts Team Bulletin. You can find updates for Music, Fitness and Health, Art, Technology, Is it Math and Reading organized by Grade and Subject.

Find the month's school menu here.

Please be sure to visit the Virtual Backpack for upcoming events such as:

Principal

Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/wms
Location: 625 Washington Street, Walpole, MA 02081
Phone: (508) 660-7226