OPR Weekly Update
December 13, 2024
Dear OPR Families,
It's been a productive week with students enthusiastically engaged in learning each day. Next week is sure to be exciting for everyone with the anticipation of the winter break. We're going to make the most of every day as we close out 2024.
Our Lost and Found is overflowing. Feel free to stop by and take a look. Weather permitting, we'll put it outside for a few days next week. Items remaining will be donated to charity over winter break. Here's a video of the Lost and Found: Lost and Found
Click here to watch this week's 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
December
17 PAC Sponsored Grade 2 Program: Discovery Museum Physical Changes of Matter
19 OPR Holiday Sing-along! Families with last name A-K at 5:45 PM; L-Z at 6:30 in the Cafeteria
20 PAC Sponsored Whole School Assembly: Crocodile River Music
23 No School - Vacation Begins. School Resumes on Thursday, January 2nd.
January
2 School Reopens
9 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab, 7:00 PM
13 Walpole Fire Department Fire Safety Presentation for Kindergarten, Gr. 1 and Gr. 2 Students
16 PAC Sponsored Grade 4 Program: High Touch High Tech: Funomena
17 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
17 Student Council Spirit Day: Career Day! Dress like what you want to do when you grow up!
20 No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
23 PAC Sponsored Grade 3 STEM Night! Free Science Night! 6-7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
24 Grade 5 Neponset Valley Watershed Presentation
30 PAC Sponsored Grade 2 STEM Night! Free Science Night! 6-7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
31 Grade 5 Neponset Valley Watershed Presentation (Part 2)
February
7 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
7 Student Council Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day (or Multicolor) - Wear tie dye or multicolor clothes!
7 PAC Sponsored Stay on the Half Day
13 PAC Meeting, STEM Lab, 7:00 PM
17-21 Vacation Week
Physical Education with Mrs. Green
Grades K-2:
Fitness Stations =
-Target throwing, jump rope, hula hoop, agility ladder, ice cream scoops, jumping & leaping hurdles
-Under hand throw into buckets, rolling and handstands, relay races, scooter races, 2v2 Pillo polo, basketball shooting
Turkey Knockdown game
Ice skating tag
Next, we have lots of wintery, fun activities.
Grades 3-5:
Fitness testing - Pacer running test, sit-up, push-up, pull-ups, chin-ups and bar-hangs
Turkey knockdown game
Ice Skating Tag
Pickleball paddling
Next, we have lots of wintery, fun activities.
Math with Mrs. Rinaldi
Winter break is only a week away, and with this year being a few days longer than usual, we thought we might share some ideas for how to keep your child’s math brain working during the break. It is important to take time to rest and rejuvenate, but not doing anything requiring critical thinking for twelve days can make the return to school and structure difficult. We are not suggesting that students complete winter worksheets or even spend time doing ST Math. There are lots of different ways to activate their math brain while having some fun at the same time!
Are you baking a special treat to bring somewhere over break or cooking a special meal? Have your children help you measure! This work with fractions, volume, and measurement tools is great practice for all ages!
Will you be traveling over the break? Have your children look at a map to determine how many miles you are traveling and try to figure out how long it will take you to get there. Find and read numbers along the route, practice math facts on the ride, or assign the letters of the alphabet numbers (A-1, B-2 etc.) and see who can locate the license plate that creates the largest or smallest number. Check out this article from Scholastic or this one from GameMom to add a few more ideas to your list!
Last minute shopping to do, or did your child get a gift card they want to spend? Have them do a little research to find the best price for the item they either need to purchase for a gift, or want to get for themselves. They can practice just adding the prices (younger students) or figuring out the sale price, estimate tax or calculate the tip if you go out to lunch during your shopping trip! These aren’t just good math lessons, but great life lessons as well, especially for our older students who are gaining more independence.
Of course, there are always the familiar craft activities (snowflakes for shapes, patterns with beads, or even this Origami JiJi! Activity #6) and board or card games that provide tons of work with number sense, counting, and critical thinking. Mathnasium has some other fun ideas and articles that caregivers may find helpful.
Finally, our Family Math Website is always full of games and activities for group or individual practice.
Whether you are traveling to see family and friends, or just enjoying the quiet at home, there are lots of ways students and families can keep their math brains active while having fun and even probably having some great laughs! If we are lucky enough to get some snow, even getting time outside to build a snowman, shovel the walk, measure the accumulated snow, or find the best sledding hill activates learning around math concepts.
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.
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
mabel's labels
https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/
Starting to lose those water bottles? Put a label on it! Please navigate to Support a Fundraiser and select Old Post Road Parent Advisory Committee.
Box Tops
Download the App for BoxTops for Education and scan receipt within 14 days of purchase. Assign Credit by selecting the Star and entering the Teacher’s Last name before you hit submit.
PAC Socal Media / Contact Info.
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPR.PAC
please add: Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/oprpacwalpole
Email with questions: oprpacwalpole@gmail.com
OPR 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:
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
January 2024 - $85.80
February 2024 - $104.10
March 2024 - $71.70
April 2024 - $83.70
May 2024 - $114.90
June 2024 - $100.50
July 2024 - $100.20
August 2024 - $115.80
September 2024 - $59.10
October 2024 - $113.40
November 2024 - $141.00
Arrival: 8:15-8:25 AM
Tardy Bell is at 8:25 AM. (Students must be signed in at the office by an adult if tardy.)
Early Release Dismissal: 11:55 (Dismissal begins at 11:49)
Dismissal: 2:55 PM (Dismissal begins at 2:49)
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.
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
Twitter: @oprschool
Email: dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
508-660-7219
