Fisher Family Update
October 24, 2025
It's that time of the year! Please take a moment to sign up to meet with your student's teacher.
Instructions/Links to Google Appointments
Please make sure your personal device is set to Eastern Standard Time (EST).
If your device is set to a different time zone, your conference reminders may appear at the wrong time based on your phone’s current settings.
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.
Our 2025-2026 School Improvement Plan (SIP) serves as a roadmap for enhancing student learning, engagement, and overall school performance. Developed collaboratively by our school council and guided by data and district priorities, the plan focuses on four key goals. We aim to enhance student engagement through consistent, student-centered instructional practices that encourage active participation and deeper learning. We will provide staff with ongoing professional development in student-centered and differentiated instruction, including peer observations to share effective strategies. Our third goal is to cultivate inclusive and personalized learning experiences by dedicating collaboration time for staff, using student data to inform instruction, and ensuring all learners’ needs are met. Our fourth goal focuses on ensuring that our school’s facilities are safe, modern, and supportive of current and future educational needs. This includes implementing a comprehensive Master Facilities Plan, providing regular training and practice for all critical incident drills, and improving outdoor spaces such as the playground to enhance student experiences. Click HERE to view the document in its entirety.
Bring your questions about, IEP’s, Walpole’s special education program, or any general topics. For specific questions or concerns, please contact your child’s team directly.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
7:00 PM
Walpole Library Stone Room
Functional Behavioral Assessments
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.
Our educators at Fisher have many ways to check your child’s reading development and growth, including an early literacy universal screening assessment. Early literacy universal screening assessments are brief tests that provide information about your child’s early reading skills.
Screening makes it possible to see if a student is at risk of developing reading difficulties, including risk of dyslexia. Screening does not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities, but it does help us understand which students may need additional support to be successful readers. We are required to assess students in grades K-3 at least twice per year consistent with Massachusetts regulation 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f).
Our district uses the screening assessment called iReady. This screening assessment is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Your child will be assessed two or three times during the school year, depending on grade level. Grades 1-3 will be given the computer adaptive assessment in the Fall. Kindergarten will be given the computer adaptive assessment in the Winter and Spring. Assessments given in the Winter and Spring will also include offline literacy task assessments for grades K-3.
The tentative schedule for this school year is shown below:
Screening Assessment Months (Subject to Change)
Kindergarten
1. January
2. May
Grade 1, 2, 3
1. September
2. January
3. May
Following the screening assessment, a team at our school will review all students’ results. If your child scores significantly below benchmarks, we will contact you to discuss how we can support your child.
Screening is another step that helps students at our school become proficient readers, and we are grateful for the continued support and partnership with the Fisher families. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
5th Grade Yearbook Information
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF FIFTH GRADERS: WE NEED YOUR PHOTOS OF YOUR STUDENTS! The easiest way is through the yearbook app. See the information in the fifth grade newsletter for how to submit. Please submit by November 10!
Kindergarten Portrait (school photo, first day of school, etc.)
Baby Photo (birth to 2 years old)
Kindergarten Memories→ Fourth Grade Memories. Please upload to the specific category.
Fifth Grade Memories- start submitting now, but we will accept them until April 1.
Link to the informational sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gRkK-f3vfKJStJ-6A-q5C3WbFOiP3GxmIfjyIUCxFFQ/edit?usp=sharing
Fisher School will be hosting the Scholastic Book Fair in November! Student previews will be held during the day on November 10th, 12th and 13th. Books and items will be available for purchase during parent-teacher conferences on the evenings on November 13th and 18th as well as the afternoon of November 14th. Parents are encouraged to help! Please see the below sign-up. All day preview volunteers must have an active CORI background check on file.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080448A8AE28A4FA7-59167091-2025#/
Backpack Awareness Day - October 27th
My name is Kayla Jackson, and I am currently a senior at Walpole High School. As some of you may already know, I started an initiative called Backpack Awareness at the end of last year. The Backpack Awareness Initiative aims to educate students on how to properly pack and wear their backpacks to prevent the development of back, neck, or shoulder pain. Current studies show that the improper use of backpacks is directly linked to spinal developmental issues, breathing issues, and general back pain in some cases.
Happy International School Backpack Awareness Day! Today 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: