OPR Weekly Update
October 24, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
It’s been a great week at school filled with learning, creativity, and positive energy! Classrooms are busy with projects and activities as we move deeper into the fall season. Looking ahead, the annual OPR Halloween Parade is on Friday morning. It is a long-standing school tradition that brings plenty of smiles and school spirit. Families are welcome to join us outside to cheer on the students as they parade in their costumes. If the weather requires us to hold the parade inside, you'll be notified of the procedure for visitors to view the parade inside.
Watch this week's OPR Video News: OPR Video News
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
All Week: Sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences!
Wednesday: Grade 5 Team Building Trip to TreeTop Adventures
Friday: OPR Halloween Parade (more information below)
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Sign Up Now!
Parent-Teacher Conferences are in November. 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 November 13th between 5:00 - 7:00pm, on the Early Release Day on November 14th between 1:30 - 3:40pm, and November 18th between 5:00 - 7:00pm. 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.
Halloween Parade
On Friday, October 31st, we will continue the long-standing tradition of the OPR Halloween Parade. The parade begins at 9:15 AM. Families may watch the parade from the front of the school. Spectators should assemble on the grass area island across from the front door. The parade will walk in the driveway and circle the island. If it happens to be raining, we have an indoor parade route that will allow families to watch from inside.
Remember:
Students can wear their costumes to school. Students should change out of costumes after the parade.
It is recommended that any makeup is minimal, as students will need to wear it all day.
Scary masks are not allowed.
No weapons (real or toy) are ever allowed in school. This includes parts of costumes - Ninja swords, firefighter’s ax, cowboy gun, bow and arrow, etc.
Alternate activities will be provided for those not participating.
International Backpack Awareness Day - October 27th
Happy International School Backpack Awareness Day on Monday! The following is being shared by WHS student Kayla Jackson as part of her Gold Award Girl Scout Project:
We would like to remind all students and staff about the importance of wearing your backpack properly. Proper backpack usage is the best way to prevent the development of back, neck or shoulder pain. Remember, pack it light and wear it right!
Please enjoy this short video demonstration:
STEM with Mrs. Morris
It’s that time of the year in STEM again…coding! For those families new to the STEM world, coding is using a set of instructions to communicate with computers. There are many different coding languages and many different robots students use at our school.
Every grade was first introduced to coding this year through unplugged coding. Students took turns being the programmer and being the “computer” being coded. This gave students the opportunity to see how important specific instructions are in your algorithm to ensure that your code works.
Kindergarten and first grade were introduced to coding through the PBS KIDS series Work It Out Wombats. Work It Out Wombats teaches students coding, problem solving skills, and computational thinking. There are many games that go along with the characters that have students learn concepts like sequencing and debugging. This also gave students practice using the chromebooks in STEM.
Second through fifth grade students began coding with a program called Rodocodo, a self paced coding game that teaches children core programming concepts through puzzles. Then we put those skills to practice on Scratch!
Coming up, students in all grades will begin using robots to further their coding skills and computational thinking. I look forward to another great month of STEM in November!
Digital Learning with Mrs. Milnamow
Hello parents! I'm excited to let you know about some engaging digital learning projects your children will be working on soon. We are always trying to help students showcase their learning in new, creative ways. You can expect to see them designing informative Google Slideshows, Canva newsletters, producing short Adobe Express videos to share their ideas, and even publishing digital books in Book Creator that pull together their research and writing. These projects help students practice important presentation and communication skills while taking pride in a polished final product they can share.
We're also thoughtfully integrating multiple tools to support their learning journey. Students will continue to use instructional technology that supports to their learning path, providing the perfect balance of tools and scaffolds or challenge to help them grow at their own pace. In some creative writing units, we'll explore how to safely use tools like generative AI for image creation, helping students visualize and create detailed settings for their stories. This guided exploration is designed to boost creativity and build modern literacy skills.
As we introduce these powerful tools, our focus on safety and responsibility is stronger than ever. We will have continued conversations about digital citizenship, reinforcing how to be safe, kind, and critical thinkers online. Our goal isn't just to use technology, but to use it purposefully to deepen understanding, build confidence, and prepare students for their future. We look forward to seeing the amazing work your children will create!
WPS AI Steering Team
Over the past few years, there has been a surge in national conversation about new AI technologies in our society. Like many new tech tools, AI has the potential to dramatically change how we work, learn, and play. This year, WPS is beginning a process of intentional, thoughtful study of AI’s opportunities and challenges, with an eye toward adopting the most beneficial AI practices while avoiding pitfalls.
We are seeking interested parents/guardians to join our new WPS AI Steering Team. The AI Steering Team will be made up of a representative sampling of teachers, administrators, parents, students, office staff, and other stakeholders. Members of the team need not be “AI experts” and may be anywhere on the spectrum between “excited” and “skeptical,” as long as they can approach the work with an open mind. This team will meet approximately once a month after school via Google Meet.
Parents/guardians who are interested in joining the WPS AI Steering Team can fill out this form to apply. Please note that there are a limited number of seats available on this team and selections will be made to ensure a wide range of perspectives. Questions can be directed to Tom Reeve at TReeve@walpole.k12.ma.us.
OPR PAC MEETING
Wednesday, November 5th
7:00 PM
Held in the STEM Lab or connect virtually via link: https://meet.google.com/sem-fbzs-fvv
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:
2024 Calendar Year Total - $1182.30
January 2025 - $210
February 2025 - $108.60
March 2025 - $128.40
April 2025 - $88.20
May 2025 - $192.00
June 2025 - $111.60
July 2025 - $174.60
August 2025 - $196.80
September 2025 - $134.10
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.
Walpole SEPAC
Upcoming Meeting
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
7:00 PM
Walpole Library Stone Room
Functional Behavioral Assessments with Emily Luth, BCBA
Emily is a former Walpole School BCBA and now an educational consultant who helps families navigate special education services and supports.
Want to connect with other parents? Join the SEPAC committee for an informal chat at Tessie’s after the meeting.
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
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
508-660-7219
Arrival: 8:50-9:00 AM
Tardy Bell is at 9:00 AM. (Students must be signed in at the office by an adult if tardy.)
Early Release Dismissal: 12:25 (Dismissal begins at 12:19)
Dismissal: 3:30 PM (Dismissal begins at 3:24 PM)
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.
