Student Council Service Project
Student Council has organized a pet supply drive to support a local animal shelter. They want to ensure that the shelter has all the supplies to provide the animals with the best possible care. Between May 5th and May16th, we are asking students to bring in any of the following items to support the animals in need. This is completely voluntary and Student Council would like to note that they do not want families spending a lot of money for this cause.
Requests for the Shelter:
Scoopable Cat Litter
- Fancy Feast, 9 Lives or Purina canned adult cat foodSoft Catnip Toys
Purina Kitten Chow dry kitten food
Purina Cat Chow Naturals dry cat food
Fancy Feast turkey flavor canned kitten food
Advantix, Revolution, or Frontline for dogs
High-Quality dry dog food
High-Quality canned dog food
Dishwashing Liquid Soap
Large Trash Bags
Pump Hand Soap
Paper Towels
Small Fleece Blankets
Timothy Hay for bunnies and/or guinea pigs
Oxbow or Sweet Meadow bunny or guinea pig food
- $10 -15 gift cards to Shaw's, Roche Bros.., Stop & Shop, Especially for Pets, Petco, or Home Depot
District Art Show
Opening Night
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
6:00-8:00pm at the Walpole Public Library
An exhibit of Walpole's K-12 Visual Art Curriculum
Throughout the year, artwork was selected from each grade and each assignment to showcase the breadth of studio experience, range of visual expression, and depth of learning in the art room. With drawings, paintings, collage, prints, photographs, digital images, spatial design, mixed media, weavings, and sculpture, students communicate their ideas about who they are, where they live, and how they feel
Author Visit (Grades K-4)
Get ready for a special treat! We're thrilled to announce that the wonderful award-winning author, Katherine Applegate, will be visiting Boyden on Thursday, May 8th!
She'll be meeting with students in Kindergarten through 4th grade to share her new picture book, Odder. This exciting event is brought to you by the Boyden PAC and our friends at An Unlikely Story bookstore in Plainville. Before her presentation, Katherine will be signing copies of Odder! If you'd like to purchase a signed book for your child, please use this link and the QR code. The cost is $18.99 plus tax.
When you order, please remember to use the Pick Up option and include Boyden School, your student's name, and their classroom teacher in the "Additional information" or "Customer Comments" section at checkout. Books will be picked up from An Unlikely Story on Wednesday and brought to Boyden.
The last day to order a book is Tuesday, May 6th.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Moses at kmoses@walpole.k12.ma.us
Counselor's Corner
From the Office of Student Support & Attendance:
There are now 7 weeks of school remaining. Please access the current newsletter using the link below to see our progress to date regarding the number of students who have 18 or more absences. Our numbers are still trending positively!
CLICK HERE
Time Change...Next Year
Next year Boyden will switch to being an "early school". Every 3 years the elementary schools in Walpole rotate late and early school hours. For the 2025 - 2026 school year we will have an official start time of 8:30a and an end time of 3:00p.
- The doors will open to students each morning at 8:20 AM.
- Early Release will be 11:55 AM
- Click here for the times across the district.
Field Day - June 6th
The Boyden Field Day is Friday, June 6th with a rain date of Monday, June 9th
The PAC once again will be providing all students and staff with a Field Day T-shirt. Below are the colors that each grades t-shirt will be:
- K- yellow
- 1st- green
- 2nd- purple
- 3rd- red
- 4th- blue
- 5th- orange
The email with link to sign up to volunteer for Field Day was sent out in a previous email.
Helping Your Child Visualize Math
When kids hear the word visualize at school, they often think about reading—picturing what’s happening in a story or using illustrations to understand the text. But visualization is just as important in math!
One of the key goals of our Bridges math program is helping students show their thinking. This might be through drawings, models, numbers, or words. When students can see the math by representing it in their own way, they develop a much deeper understanding—beyond just memorizing steps or rules.
As students learn new math ideas, they usually move through three stages:
Concrete – using physical objects (like blocks or counters) to explore the concept.
Representational – drawing a picture or model of the math.
Abstract – solving the problem using numbers or symbols, without needing visuals.
But learning doesn’t always follow this path in a straight line. Students might move back and forth between these stages depending on the problem. For example, they may solve a simple problem easily, but need visuals again when the numbers get more complex or involve fractions and decimals.
These days, math instruction focuses more on understanding and less on memorizing. Students are learning to break numbers apart (called decomposing) to make mental math easier. But sometimes students think this means they don’t need to show their work or use drawings. In fact, visualizing is one of the best tools they can use—especially when a problem feels tricky!
If your child is stuck on a math problem, here are two simple ways you can help:
Find something concrete they can use—like coins, Legos, buttons, or small toys—to act out the problem.
Encourage them to draw a picture of what’s happening in the problem. This helps them make sense of the situation and often leads them straight to the solution.
Bottom line: When students slow down and show their thinking, either through pictures or objects, it helps them see the math more clearly—and builds stronger understanding in the long run!
Spring Music Concerts - SAVE THE DATE!
Mrs. Cassani is excited that our Spring Concerts are just around the corner! All parents and families are warmly invited to attend. If you cannot make it, please rest assured that all concerts will be video-taped and emailed to families. I look forward to sharing all that your children have learned and created in music this year!
K-2 Concerts: Approximately 20 minutes long
3-5 Concerts: Approximately 30 minutes long
Concert Dates:
Kindergarten: Wednesday, May 21 @ 9:15
First grade: Wednesday, May 21 @ 9:50
Second grade: Thursday, May 29 @ 9:15
Third grade: Thursday, May 29 @ 9:50
Fourth grade: Tuesday, June 3 @ 2:30 (please note time)
Fifth grade: Tuesday, June 3 @ 9:15 (time change from Grade 5 email)
Extended Day Registration
Registration for Extended Day for the the 2025 - 2026 school year is now open.
CLICK HERE for all the information
Boyden/Walpole Apparel
The Run House, located at 15 West St, Walpole, MA, is proud to be the official retailer for Boyden Elementary School, with 20% of all profits going back to the Boyden Elementary School PAC. Chcek out all the great gear!
Important Dates
May 15th -PAC Meeting @ 7:15 PM in the Media Center (Please note date change)
May 16th - Early Release
May 26th - No School (Memorial Day)
Click Here for the Walpole Public Schools School Year Calendar
About Us
Email: bdearborn@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpolebs.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 1852 Washington Street, South Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: 508-660-7216
Instagram: @BoydenBuzz