OPR Weekly Update
October 17, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
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.
OPR Parent-Teacher Conferences November 2025
Watch this week's OPR Video News: 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
All Week: Sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences!
Wednesday: Grade 3 Docent Field Trip to deCordova Museum
Friday: Picture Retake Day (more information below)
Picture Retake Day - October 24
Retake Picture Day is coming up on: Friday, Oct 24
If you're satisfied with your child's picture, no further action is required.
If you purchased and were unhappy with your Picture Package, please send your Picture Package to school with your student on Retake Day. Your Retake Picture Package will be produced and shipped to the school four weeks after Retake Day. Please note, if your child is photographed on the original and Retake Picture Days, the Retake picture will replace the original picture in certain products, like the yearbook.
Students who were absent for Picture Day should come to school prepared to have their picture taken. If you have not preordered, please use the Retake Order Code 0323RPF to place your order at https://inter-state.com/Order. To see your Order History, check your Inter-State Account.
Find answers to Retake Day questions here.
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.
Music with Ms. Yee
Grade K
Singing: Students continue to echo vocal calls and use body signs to warm up their singing voices. Some favorite singing games include, “Burnie Bee”, “Conga” & “Let us Chase the Squirrel”.
Movement: Students learned a seasonal song called, “Leaves are Falling Down”. They improvised and created their own leaf dances using colorful ribbon wands. The activity reinforced the melodic contour of the song.
Instruments: Students played the beat using rhythm sticks while speaking rhymes, “Mumbo Jumbo” & “Rickity Rackity”.
Grade 1:
Singing & Literacy: The songs, “Wind up the Apple Tree” and “Let us Chase the Squirrel” have been big hits! Students continue to use iconic notation to read melody and rhythm. They will be introduced to traditional notation in the next few lessons and create a “leaf composition” using quarter and eighth notes.
Movement: Students learned a popular dance from Mexico called, “La Raspa”. The lively activity helped reinforce A/B patterns using sound and movement.
Grade 2
Singing & Movement: Students learned a U.S folk game in ‘set’ formation called, “Amasee”. They learned a traditional song from Columbia called, “Caimarusa”. They will learn a dance to this fun song in the weeks to come.
Instruments: Students enjoyed playing classroom instruments while accompanying a new song called, “Autumn is Here”. Instruments included woodblocks,drums, maracas and triangles.
Grade 3
Singing & Movement: Students learned a fun vocal warm up called, “Mashing M & M’s”. They learned a song called, “Black and Gold” and will add an accompaniment and play a fun card game in a few lessons.
Instruments & Literacy: The recorders are in! Students learned to play and read notes B & A. They enjoyed playing songs, “B Note Rap” & “B Funky”. Recorder books will be going home in the next few weeks .
Grade 4
Movement and Form: Students learned a popular dance from the Jalisco region of Mexico called, “Los Machetes”. Students enjoyed this lively dance as they practiced identifying musical forms!
Instruments & Literacy: Students were introduced to the note “C” on the recorder. They learned two songs called, “Chillin’ C” & “March of the Recorders”. Students have been introduced to alternating mallet technique while playing xylophones.
Grade 5
Creating and Composing: Students are nearly finished with their “Rap My Name” project. They explored and created a beatboxing accompaniment using two music learning sites. Our digital learning coach introduced the students to Adobe Express where they chose a character and animated that character as they recorded their rap. Students were actively involved and thoroughly enjoyed this creative project.
SEL (Social Emotional Learning) with Mrs. Convey & Mrs. Murray
It's been an amazing month of learning and watching our students shine as peacebuilders! Here's a little peek at what everyone has been up to in SEL:
Our kindergarteners have been mastering the art of whole body listening! They had so much fun playing games like freeze dance and "guess the sound," showing off their amazing listening skills. They were all superstars!
Our first graders have been participating in exciting teamwork activities! These experiences are designed to help them learn the value of collaboration and what it means to be a great team member. They worked together to build the tallest tower using blocks and proudly shared their creations and experiences with the class!
Meanwhile, our second graders did a fantastic job exploring our school community. Working in teams, they came up with wonderful lists of all the places and ways we can connect and support each other right here at school.
Our third graders did an excellent job learning what it takes to be a successful team player! Together, we explored when and where teamwork is used, why it matters, and the different roles that contribute to a strong, unified team. As part of a team-building challenge, students collaborated to create their own communities using blocks and proudly shared their ideas with the class!
Fourth graders also focused on school community, using a fun, interactive game to share their brilliant ideas. It was great to see them brainstorm creative ways to make our school an even more welcoming place for everyone.
In fifth grade we will be establishing a community within the classroom setting, throughout the school, and within our community. To support this notion, students will be engaging in a variety of interactive team building activities!
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.
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.
