WPS Superintendent Updates
Food Resources Available
Our Walpole Public Schools Nutrition Team supports all families by ensuring free breakfast and lunch are available to every student each school day. Our individual schools also continue to play an active role in supporting community members who may need assistance during this season.
Please take note of these additional resources:
The Walpole Community Food Pantry will continue to provide essential support through its programs. Food Pickup information can be found HERE.
How You Can Best Help Walpole Community Food Pantry: Over the last few weeks, the Food Pantry has seen an outpouring of kindness from our community. Many of you have reached out to ask what’s most needed. Please go to this webpage to read how you can best contribute.
Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline, https://projectbread.org/foodsource-hotline. FoodSource hotline counselors, in 180 languages, can help families find food assistance through other sources such as the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program and local food pantries.
Vivery increases access to nutritious food by using a centralized food map to nearby food, programs and services. Vivery.org’s Food Finder Map.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to either your child’s individual school or the Superintendent’s Office if your family needs support. Thank you for working together as a community to support each other.
WPS Core Values
Over the past year and throughout the summer, significant work was done to finalize the Walpole Public Schools Core Values: Connection, Excellence, Resilience, Innovation, and Character. Establishing district-wide core values is essential to fostering unity and a shared sense of purpose across all schools. These values will serve as the foundation of our culture, guiding relationships, learning, and leadership throughout the district.
At the same time, it is equally important for each school to maintain its own set of core values that reflect its unique identity and priorities. These individual values allow schools to celebrate their distinct cultures, strengthen relationships with students, families, and staff, and tailor their approaches to meet the specific needs of their communities. This autonomy supports responsiveness, connection, and a sense of belonging within each school environment.
By embracing both district-wide and school-based core values, Walpole Public Schools can promote a cohesive educational vision, while honoring the individuality of each school. This balance nurtures ownership, creativity, and deeper connections to both the broader district and our local school communities.
We extend our appreciation to all who contributed their input and feedback throughout this process. These perspectives helped shape a shared vision that truly reflects Walpole’s strengths, values, and aspirations.
Empowering Student Voices at WHS
I am thrilled to announce that year three of the Superintendent Student Cabinet is now in session! Last month, the selected members convened for their first meeting. Their perspectives and insights are invaluable, and I have no doubt that their contributions will significantly influence the educational journey of their fellow students. I am excited about the collaborative work that lies ahead.
Town Meeting Recap
Last month’s Fall Town Meeting led to the approval of adjustments to the FY26 budget based on finalized state aid figures. Additionally, the proposed capital items, including much needed technology items, were approved. These investments are crucial for maintaining and enhancing the learning environment for our students. We are grateful to our Town Meeting members and the community for their ongoing support.
Snow Days
The Superintendent of Schools is ultimately responsible for the final decision to cancel school based on various weather-related factors and information received from the Department of Public Works. In the event of school cancellation or delayed opening, a recorded phone message will be sent to each family's phone contact, broadcasted through Channels 4, 5, 7, and Fox 25, posted on the Walpole Public Schools app and district website, and an email will be sent to all families. As a reminder, DESE does not allow any district-wide remote learning days to replace a snow day, and therefore, any snow days will be made up in June.
Paint, Create, Collaborate: NAHS Wants to Help!
The Walpole High School National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is looking for any requests for projects or services where our members can contribute their time, skills, and energy. NAHS is a selected group of creative, talented, and conscientious students dedicated to using their skills to support the community through art. Please fill out this form if you or anyone in your community is looking for help with bringing their creative projects to life.
Talking Points
Recently, our schools began the use of TalkingPoints to improve two-way communication between teachers and families. Families can send and receive messages either by text or accessing the TalkingPoints app. TalkingPoints connects one phone number per household (generally the first phone number on record in Aspen). If you would like more than one household member to receive TalkingPoints messages, access the instruction HERE.
If you have trouble with TalkingPoints, please send an email to helpdesk@walpole.k12.ma.us.
Literacy Screening
Consistent with Massachusetts regulation, WPS provides literacy screening for all students in grades K-3 at least twice per year. Kindergarten students will be assessed two times a year (Winter and Spring), and students in grades 1-3 will be assessed three times a year. These assessments make it possible to see if a student is at risk of developing reading difficulties, including the risk of dyslexia. Please note, screening does not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities but does help us understand which students may need additional support to be successful readers. Following the screening assessment, a team at each school will review students’ results. If your child scores significantly below benchmarks, you will be contacted to discuss how we can support your child. If there are any questions about this process please contact your building principal or our district K-5 ELA Coordinator, Shannon Findley.
Reminder: No School Tuesday, November 11th: Veterans Day
In honor of Veterans Day, there will be no school on November 11th. Let us take this opportunity to reflect on and express our deepest gratitude to all the brave men and women who have served our nation. Their sacrifices continue to inspire us all.
Walpole High School Renovation Project
The Walpole High School Renovation Project website features latest updates including floorplans, the project timeline, and a detailed FAQ section. If you have any questions after reviewing the FAQ, scroll to the bottom of the page to submit your inquiry.
Free and Reduced Meal Applications
While school meals are free for all students this year, it is still very important for families to complete the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2025-2026 school year if they feel they may qualify. Completing this form may entitle your child to other benefits such as waived or reduced fees for bus transportation, college applications, SATS, or other community programs. The application can be found here. Questions can be directed to Maria Hall, Food Services Director, at mhall@walpole.k12.ma.us or by calling 508-660-7200 x 5321.
Additionally, families may consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. More SNAP information can be found here or by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.