OPR Weekly Update
September 5, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
This week we welcomed our kindergarteners for their very first days of school! Their excitement and curiosity have been a joy to see, and all students across the grades are settling into routines with great energy.
The PAC sponsored Ice Cream Social was a big success—thank you to everyone who joined us! It was a fun way to connect with both new and returning families.
Looking ahead, next week will be our first PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) meeting of the year. The PAC plays an important role in supporting our school and building strong partnerships between families and staff. We encourage you to join us, share your ideas, and be part of the many opportunities that help make our school such a welcoming place for children to learn and grow.
Arrival and Dismissal News: With the change from early to late school, we have found the need to streamline the routines for carpooler and bus drop off and pick up. Starting Monday, all carpoolers in all grades will be dropped off in the morning and dismissed in the afternoon from the gym doors. To exit the parking lot, all cars must exit the driveway using the same driveway used to enter. The driveway in front of the school is used for bus drop off and pick up only.
All buses will unload and load in front of the school using the front doors.
A message from the Walpole Police Department: Crosswalk Violations will be enforced and could result in a $200 fine. Cars may not block, park, or stand on crosswalks.
Have a nice weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
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.
Highlights for the Week Ahead
Wednesday is the first PAC meeting.
Friday is a school spirit day: Patriots Day. Everyone can wear New England Patriots attire or colors to show spirit!
September
10 PAC Meeting in the OPR STEM Lab at 7:00 PM (Wednesday Evening)
The PAC will hold a 6:30-7:00 PM meeting for kindergarten parents. This is an opportunity for kindergarten parents to meet each other and learn about PAC activities before attending the 7:00 general meeting.
12 New England Patriots Spirit Day! Wear Patriots clothing or colors to celebrate the season. (We couldn't do this last week due to Picture Day.)
16 OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program Registration Opens at 9:00 AM
18 OPR Curriculum Night for Parents and Guardians; 6-6:30 PM Last Names beginning with A-L; 6:45-7:15 PM Last Names beginning with M-Z.
19 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.
24 OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program Registration Closes at 4:00 PM
29 OPR Before and After School Enrichment Program Begins this Week
October
1 OPR School Council Meeting in the STEM Lab at 3:30
2 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM
8 International Walk to School Day
10 Early Release at 12:25 PM. Dismissal begins at 12:19.
13 No School - Columbus Day
24 Student Picture Retake Day
31 OPR Halloween Parade at 9:15
OPR Curriculum Night - September 18th
We are looking forward to welcoming parents and guardians to Old Post Road School's Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 18th. Teachers will be sharing curriculum expectations along with information specific to the classroom. Parents and guardians will also have time to ask general questions. Any questions specific to a child should be reserved for a more confidential setting.
In addition to seeing your child's classroom teacher, please stop by to see our specialists in their spaces to learn more about their curriculum. Our specialists include the Art Teacher, Music Teacher, PE Teacher, STEM/Media Teacher, School Counselors, Literacy Specialists, Multilingual Language Teacher, Digital Learning Coach, Math Specialist, and Special Education Teachers such as MSNs and Speech/Language.
The Curriculum Nights at all of the Walpole Elementary Schools are for Parents and Guardians only. Students, other family members, and guests should not attend. Thank you for your understanding.
Schedule:
6:00-6:30 Families with Last Name Beginning with A-L*
6:45-7:15 Families with Last Name Beginning with M-Z*
*If you have more than one child, email the teacher for an exception to the assigned times.
Reading with Mrs. Driscoll and Mrs. Segal
Welcome back to a new school year! We hope you and your children enjoyed a wonderful summer filled with fun, rest, and—of course—plenty of reading. We are all excited to see students return with fresh energy and ready to learn.
This year, we are beginning the second year of our schoolwide reading program, HMH Into Reading. This week students began diving into engaging and authentic texts to build their knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. In the next few weeks be sure to engage your child in discussions about what they are reading, writing, and learning in class. Our goal is to help every child grow as a reader and writer. We are looking to ensure that they develop strong comprehension skills which will support them in every subject.
Over the summer, we encouraged families to keep books close at hand, and we’re thrilled to hear many children enjoyed reading at home. The Summer Reading Padlet is still open for students to add a review of their favorite book/books they read. They can recommend books for their classmates. You can find all the summer reading information at the link below. https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wps-summer-learning/reading?authuser=0
Thank you for supporting this important habit—it makes a big difference!
Art with Ms. Kroll
Welcome back to another wonderful year of Visual Arts at OPR! We began the school year with establishing routines and discussing what expected behavior looks like in the art room. Students have been excited and engaged in the art lessons we have been working on using a variety of art mediums.
Grade K: Students have been designing and decorating their new portfolios which will store their artwork for the whole school year. Each artist got to use thick and thin markers for their special art folders.
Grade 1: Students have been working on personalizing their portfolios using coloring tools. Our first art project this school year will be inspired by our featured read aloud, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. Each first grade artist will create a colorful dot that showcases their knowledge of line, shape, and pattern.
Grade 2: Students have been exploring line, color, and pattern with their Coffee Filter Tie-Dye art projects. Each student created a design with markers and then added water using a spray bottle. It was so fun to watch how excited students got when the colors would blend and mix on their own.
Grade 3: Students began the year with an expressive and colorful art lesson called Oil Pastel Tie-Dye. Each student was amazed at how an old eraser could transform a simple oil pastel pattern drawing into a tie-dye masterpiece.
Grade 4: Fourth grade artists finally received their much awaited sketchbooks and eagerly designed the covers to make them personalized. Our first major masterpiece of the school year will be a combination of printmaking and watercolor featuring still lifes of flowers. Students will learn art specific vocabulary connected to printmaking.
Grade 5: Students have been working on their Illuminated Initial masterpieces which feature the first letter of fifth grade artists’ names along with intricately detailed lines, shapes, and patterns. Each student will be encouraged to personalize their artworks by picking a theme that resonates with them.
News from the Nurse
ILLNESS POLICY
When to Keep Your Child Home From School:
Temperature/Fever over 100 F
Diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting
Undiagnosed rashes
Uncontrolled coughing
Important Guidelines:
If your child has a fever, they must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (such as Tylenol or Motrin) before returning to school.
If your child has a viral stomach illness (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), please keep them home for an additional 24 hours after symptoms have subsided.
If your child has been diagnosed with an infection that requires antibiotics (e.g. Strep Throat, Conjunctivitis, Impetigo), they must be treated with the antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
For Conjunctivitis, the eyes must be free of drainage. For Impetigo, the lesions must not be oozing.
If your child is administered Benadryl for possible allergy reaction, they must be picked up and monitored at home.
Injuries, Medical Procedures, or Surgeries:
If your child has sustained an injury outside of school hours or has undergone a medical procedure, please notify the school nurse.
It is important to provide the following:
Any activity restrictions for your child.
A note from the healthcare provider if your child needs to miss physical education classes for more than 5 days. The note should include the type of restrictions and the duration of the restriction.
We are grateful for your efforts in ensuring a healthy and safe school for everyone. Please feel free to contact the Health Office with any questions or concerns you may have!
Bonnie Kowalsky, M.Ed, BSN, RN
Old Post Road School Nurse
99 Old Post Road
East Walpole, MA 02032
phone: 508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
bkowalsky@walpole.k12.ma.us
OPR PAC MEETING
Wednesday, September 10th
6:30 PM Kindergarten Parent PAC Meeting
7:00 PM PAC Meeting
Held in the STEM Lab or connect virtually. PAC Meeting Link: https://meet.google.com/gwa-hvms-ryt
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1O64LBIJZZJSU?ref_=wl_share
Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
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. https://mabelslabels.com/en_US/fundraising/support/
Box Tops for Education
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.
Follow the OPR PAC on Social Media
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:
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
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.
Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department
The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the fall session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.
Session 1 will run September 22 to January 30. Registration is open until Wednesday, September 17th.
For more information and to register, visit:
https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview
For questions, email:
Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us
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
