OPR Weekly Update
May 1, 2026
Dear OPR Families,
The WPS District Art Show is on Wednesday, May 6th from 6-8:00 pm at the Walpole Public Library. OPR has 86 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!
Please watch the latest OPR Video News.
Have a great 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
Monday - Friday is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
Wednesday evening is the District Art Show.
Thursday is the first grade field trip to Stony Brook.
Thursday evening is the May PAC Meeting at 7:00. Details are below.
On Friday, High Touch High Tech will present Friction Gives Me Traction to Gr. 3 Classes.
Friday is the ST Math Student Showcase in Boston where several OPR and Boyden students will show their projects.
On Friday, Discovery Museum will present Physical Changes of Matter to Gr. 2 Classes.
WPS Bus Registration for Next Year
Please see the link below regarding bus registration for the upcoming school year.
If you prefer to register by mail, please visit the transportation page on the district website for the bus application.
Sign up now for the bus for the 2026-2027 school year: WPS Bus Registration
PE with Mrs. Green
Kindergarten-Grade 2:
Students practiced with Pillo polo sticks, defensive and offensive movements in hockey as well as goalie practice. Students were able to play 1v1 & 2v2.
Students played Pac-man (Tag game), the Wave (Jump rope game), Sharks & Sailors (Tag Game) and Flying Saucer (Tag game)
Grade 2 was introduced to the game of Capture the Flag
All students are currently enjoying our Gymnastics equipment that includes, ropes, mats, climbing apparatus, balance beams, spring board and vaults. Students are practicing creating gymnastics sentences with balances, jumps and rolls.
Coming up, students will be going outside and practicing ball skills, frisbee and relays for Field Day practice.
Grades 3 - 5:
Students practiced skills with Pillo Polo sticks and were able to play in a 5 v 5 Hockey game.’
Running - Pacer Re-test was taken and most students improved on their scores by quite a bit. I’m very proud of their efforts!
All students are currently enjoying our Gymnastics equipment that includes, ropes, mats, climbing apparatus, balance beams, spring board and vaults. Students are practicing creating gymnastics sentences with balances, jumps and rolls. Students will share routines as a group with the class during their last class.
Coming up, students will be going outside and practicing ball skills, frisbee and relays for Field Day practice. Students will also play Ultimate Frisbee.
Math with Mrs. Rinaldi
Spring is here, which brings warmer temperatures (we hope!), but it also means we are entering into a very busy time of year! Sports, recitals, family events, special days can all create a very hectic schedule of car trips, siblings at each other’s practices and events with the odd 10 minutes here,15 minutes there to fill. Taking out a good book to read is always a possibility, but there are also some great quick math games that need very little in the way of materials that can help fill the time, engage the sibling that is “along for the ride,” and build number sense all at the same time!
The best math games include both strategy and some luck so that anyone has a chance to win regardless of their academic level. Games that allow students to explore operations, test their ideas, see patterns and think like a mathematician will boost number sense, fact fluency and math disposition because they are fun! Here is an article with directions for five engaging math-rich games that families can play anytime in less than ten minutes.
Prep a one gallon ziploc bag to keep in your car or sports bag with these items to pull out at any time:
at least one six-sided die (if you have 2 or 3 even better!)
a deck of cards (most games remove Jacks, Kings-Aces are 1, and Queens serve as 0)
Cards and dice are interchangeable for most games, sometimes cards are easier as children can move them around and manipulate them in different positions for place value
Pencils and paper, or dry erase board/marker (if you have it; paper works just as well)
Visit our Family Math Website for more fun activities and games that will reduce screen time, engage your child and boost math skills & disposition!
2026 MCAS Testing Schedule
Below is the schedule for the remaining MCAS that will take place soon. Please mark these dates in your calendar and help ensure that your child(ren) are present for each testing session for their grade level.
Grade 5
Math Session 1: Tuesday May 5
Math Session 2: Wednesday May 6
STE Session 1: Wednesday May 13
STE Session 2: Thursday May 14
OPR PAC MEETING
Thursday, May 7th
7:00 PM
Held in the STEM Lab or connect virtually via link:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/yjn-tvne-igt
Hi Families,
Happy May! Thank you so much for supporting the PAC by attending events and contributing to fundraisers thus far this school year! There are still a few more opportunities to join the fun and volunteer!
Please attend the May PAC meeting on Thursday, May 7th. We look forward to seeing you there! Want to get even more involved? Consider joining the PAC Board of Officers! Elections will take place during the June PAC meeting.
To volunteer for the last Stay on the Half Day (SOHD) on Friday, May 15th, please use the link below:
Sign Up Genius: Stay on the Half Day Volunteers May
To sign your child(ren) up for the last SOHD:
Zeffy: Stay on the Half Day May 2026
To participate in the Fun Run on Saturday, May 16th:
To volunteer at the Spring Festival:
Sign Up Genius: 2026 Spring Festival Volunteers
Upcoming PAC Events:
- May PAC Meeting - Thursday, May 7th at 7pm
- SOHD Fundraiser - Friday, May 15th (Volunteers Needed!)
- Fun Run (9:30 am) and Spring Festival (10am) - Saturday, May 16th
- Lifted Fitness and Performance Fundraiser - Thursday, May 28th
- Restaurant Night at Jake and Joes - Sunday, May 31st
- June PAC Meeting - Wednesday, June 3rd at 7pm
- Field Day - Friday, June 12th (Raindate: Monday, June 15th)
Thanks again,
OPR PAC Board 2025-2026
PAC Board of Directors Officer Descriptions:
Elections are at the final monthly meeting of the school year (Wednesday, June 3rd)
Officers serve a term equal to one (1) school year (July 1st to June 30th) and are eligible for re-election
President - develop agendas for and preside over meetings, oversee PAC financial affairs, be responsible for the general PAC management, ensure that all decisions of the quorum shall be implemented, serve as the main liaison with the principal
Vice President - assist the president in developing agendas for all meetings, overseeing the financial affairs and general management
Treasurer - responsibility for the funds, keep full and accurate accounts of the financial records, oversee the financial affairs employing regular electronic account balance alerts, deposit all monies, disburse approved funds, make monthly financial reports, report on the execution of the annual budget, complete and file taxes, the annual report and any other required filings
Secretary - responsibility for all record keeping and correspondence, officially record and distribute the minutes of all proceedings of the meetings and actions, provide notice of all meetings, maintain the archive of meeting minutes and by-laws, distribute the mail
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
October 2025 - $192.30
November 2025 - $151.50
December 2025 - $100.80
2025 Calendar Year Total - $1788.90
January 2026 - $205.50
February 2026 - $132.60
March 2026 - $103.50
April 2026 - $190.80
Walpole Public Schols 2026-2027 Calendar
OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
WPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK/CODE OF CONDUCT
Walpole Elementary School Homework Guidelines
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.
Keeping Kids Safe & Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Adults
Members of the United States Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation and Computer Forensics Group, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will be bringing a virtual webinar Keeping Kids Safe & Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Adults. The presentation will bring awareness to the dangers children face online today and educate adults on how to keep them safe. The details, including registration link is below.
Thursday, May 7, 2026 │6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Registration required – Log in begins at 6:00 pm
Registration: https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r3e7ec6dd39529e1d1509dc763f5668f8
Questions or difficulty registering?
Please contact Karen Legace at USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov
This presentation is for adults who wish to learn how to keep kids safe online.
Content is inappropriate for young children.
Please be aware of who can see your screen and hear your audio!
Webex platform has a maximum capacity of 1000 attendees. If we have reached registration capacity, please email USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov to be put on a waitlist for the next presentation.
Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions!
Walpole Public Schools is proud to be in the running for the 2026 Terrific Tray of the Year, and we need your support! Our January-winning tray features a seasonally inspired Roasted Vegetable & Parmesan Crisp
Kale Salad, paired with local apple slices in celebration of Harvest of the Month. This fresh and flavorful meal highlights ingredients from regional partners, including:
- Joe Czajkowski Farm (Hadley, MA) – Brussels sprouts and carrots
- Brookdale Fruit Farm (Hollis, NH) – Apples
- The Good Crust (Maine) – Focaccia made with locally sourced grains
Please vote before Friday, May 8, 2026. VOTE HERE
Thank you for supporting Walpole Public Schools and our school nutrition program!
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.
