OPR Weekly Update
December 19, 2025
Dear OPR Families,
As we head into the final days before winter break, please take a moment to review the important reminders below regarding our early release schedule and an opportunity to check the Lost & Found before the break begins.
The winter break begins on Tuesday, Dec. 23rd after the early release and school resumes on Monday, January 5th. The early release on Tuesday is at 12:25 (beginning at 12:19).
We have a large collection of clothing in the Lost & Found that have not been claimed. All remaining items will be donated over winter break, so please take a moment to stop by and look for anything your child may be missing. There are many high-quality items—we’d love to see them returned to their owners!
Watch this week's OPR Video News: OPR Video News
From all of us at OPR, happy holidays and happy new year to you and your family!
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
Tuesday is the Student Council Spirit Day: Pajama Day!
Tuesday is an early release at 12:25 (beginning at 12:19).
School resumes on Monday, January 5th.
Ready, Set, Kindergarten! WPS Pre-Registration Opens January 5
WPS 2026-2027 kindergarten pre-registration will be open from January 5 through January 30, 2026. To pre-register a kindergarten age-qualified* child, a parent or legal guardian must complete the online registration form (scroll down to kindergarten pre-registration).
If you are unable to drop off documents at your neighborhood school during the day, the Superintendents’ Office (135 School Street, Room 204) is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Tuesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, and Friday 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
*Kindergarten age-qualified children are those who turn five (5) years old before September 1st of the school year for which they are pre-registering.
If your child is currently enrolled or receiving special education services through Daniel Feeney Preschool Center, you do not need to submit the online registration form, birth certificate, or proof of residency. However, you will need to provide the elementary school with a copy of your child’s latest physical.
To find out more about registration, click here.
Daniel Feeney Preschool Applications
We are excited to announce that the application window will officially open on January 5, 2026.
This program offers a wonderful opportunity for children to learn and grow in an inclusive, engaging environment. Please review the following important details regarding the enrollment process:
Application Date: Applications will be available starting January 5, 2026.
Selection Process: All peer slots will be filled via a lottery system. This means there is no advantage to applying "first," provided your application is submitted within the designated window. The application window will remain open for two weeks.
More Information: For program details, eligibility requirements, and the application link, please visit our website at: Daniel Feeney Preschool Application
Please contact Julie Martin, Director of the Daniel Feeney Preschool, with any questions: jmartin@walpole.k12.ma.us or 508-660-7374 ext. 5681
Music with Ms. Yee
Grade K & 1
Singing, Movement & Instruments: Students were introduced to songs in call and response style. Two favorites were “Shoo Turkey” & “Must Be Santa”. Students read iconic notation and played desk bells to accompany the songs, "We Wish You a Happy Holiday” & “Deck the Hall”. The notation helped reinforce steady beat for Grade K and rhythm for Grade 1.
Picture books/composers: We read the story of “The Nutcracker” and students learned about ballet music and the composer, Peter I Tchaikovsky. They enjoyed keeping the beat and moving to the “Nutcracker March” while using scarves and classroom instruments.
Grade 2 & 3
Singing & Movement: Students in grade 2 learned a lively Hebrew folk song called “Joyous Chanukah”. Grade 3 students reviewed the song and created a rhythmic ostinato using classroom instruments. Students worked collaboratively with a parachute to design a movement routine that represented the form of “Jingle Bells”.
Composers & instruments: Students continue to listen and learn more about the music from Tchaikovsky’s ballet, “The Nutcracker”. This year they listened and watched a performance of the Russian “Trepak”. They also played rhythms using iconic notation to accompany the lively music.
Grade 4 & 5
Singing & Movement: Students in grade 4 had fun learning a song using two concentric circles called “Turkey Trot”. Grade 5 students created a xylophone accompaniment for the song.The song reinforced phrasing. “Meter Tag” was another well received movement activity reinforcing beat patterns and tempo!
Composing: Grade 4 students created a rhythm composition called, “Rhythm Feast” using music & illustrations. Rhythms included eighth notes, quarter notes, sixteenth notes, a variety of rests. Both grade levels are nearly finished with their winter music project. Our digital learning coach, Mrs. Milnamow introduced the “Design your own Snowman” project using Adobe Express. Students designed a snowman, and in the new year will sing & record a song to create a snowman chorus. This engaging activity reinforced digital literacy, creativity & singing.
- Instruments & Literacy: Students played harmonic patterns using boomwhackers while accompanying the song, “Feliz Navidad”. The activity provided a fun way to explore harmony and upper elementary rhythms.
Social Emotional Learning with Mrs. Convey & Mrs. Murray
December went by with a blink of an eye! Our OPR learners dedicated their learning time to developing active listening strategies, problem-solving skills, and self-control. They participated in a variety of engaging activities, including role-playing, storytelling, and movement-based lessons.
Our 4th- and 5th-grade students also had the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker. They engaged in meaningful discussions about harmful language and the impact it has on others. Students worked together in teams to analyze different scenarios, brainstormed ways to be upstanders, and presented their problem-solving skills they have learned throughout this school year!
As we welcome the new school year, students will focus on setting meaningful and realistic goals. They will participate in lessons that promote responsibility, accountability, and perseverance. On behalf of our counseling staff, we wish you all a wonderful and safe holiday season!
2026 MCAS Testing Schedule
Below is the schedule for MCAS that will take place in the Spring of this school year. Please mark these dates in your calendar and help ensure that your child(ren) are present for each testing session for their grade level.
Grade 3
ELA Session 1: Tuesday March 31
ELA Session 2: Wednesday April 1
Math Session 1: Tuesday April 28
Math Session 2: Wednesday April 29
Grade 4
ELA Session 1: Thursday April 2
ELA Session 2: Tuesday April 7
Math Session 1: Thursday April 30
Math Session 2: Friday May 1
Grade 5
ELA Session 1: Wednesday April 8
ELA Session 2: Thursday April 9
Math Session 1: Tuesday May 5
Math Session 2: Wednesday May 6
STE Session 1: Wednesday May 13
STE Session 2: Thursday May 14
OPR PAC MEETING
Wednesday, January 7
7:00 PM
Held in the STEM Lab or connect virtually via link: https://meet.google.com/qzw-cpiu-vuc
Hi OPR Parents and Guardians,
We are grateful for all of your support at the PAC events, fundraisers and meetings. We appreciate the effort, energy and time you put into volunteering. Thanks to your generosity, Parents Night Out (PNO) was a tremendous success again this year! Enjoy celebrating this upcoming holiday season with your loved ones! There is more fun to come! See events listed below.
With Gratitude,
The OPR PAC Board 2025-2026
Next PAC Meeting - Wednesday, January 7th at 7PM
Providence Bruins Game - Sunday, January 18th at 3PM
Restaurant Night at Crisp - Wednesday, January 28th
STEM Night (Grades 2 & 3) - Thursday, January 29th at 6PM
PAC Meeting - Thursday, February 5th at 7PM
SOHD Fundraiser - Friday, February 6th (Volunteers Needed!)
STEM Night (Grades 4 & 5) - Thursday, February 12th at 6PM
Pizza and Play Bingo - Friday, February 27th
PAC Meeting - Wednesday, March 4th
Broderick Gymnastics Fundraiser - Friday, March 13th
Spring Dance - Friday, March 20th
Restaurant Night at Chateau - Thursday, March 26th
LG Martial Arts Fundraiser- Friday, March 27th
PAC Meeting - Thursday, April 9th
Restaurant Night at Jalapenos - Wednesday, April 15th
PAC Meeting - Thursday, May 7th
SOHD Fundraiser - Friday, May 15th (Volunteers Needed!)
Fun Run and Spring Festival - Saturday, May 16th
Field Day - Friday, June 5th (tentatively)
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
October 2025 - $192.30
November 2025 - $151.50
OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
WPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK/CODE OF CONDUCT
Walpole Elementary School Homework Guidelines
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.
