OPR Weekly Update
October 18, 2024
Dear OPR Families,
Even though it was only a four-day week, learning time was maximized at OPR. Students could be spotted working hard and fully engaged across all grade levels and in different settings. This week, the Student Council met to begin making important decisions about school spirit days, community outreach and possibilities for supporting others beyond our community. The Student Council consists of three students from each 4th and 5th grade classroom (24 representatives total). These representatives make decisions keeping in mind that they are the voice for all students, K-5. We are looking forward to seeing what the Student Council commits to this year. Suggestions are welcome.
Looking ahead, please mark your calendars: next Friday, we will open the sign-up for our November Parent-Teacher Conferences. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher and discuss student growth and goals. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive learning environment!
There was no OPR Video News this week. The next episode will be on Oct. 25th.
Have a great weekend!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Keep the OPR office in the loop. If you are emailing your child's teacher about an absence, tardy, dismissal, or appointment, include the office email oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us This will ensure the secretaries and nurse receive the email. Classroom teachers can't always check email during the day. Thank you!
October
30 Student Picture Retake Day - Only for students who need their picture retaken.
31 OPR Halloween Parade at 8:45 AM. Families welcome!
November
5 No School - Election Day - Professional Development Day for Teachers and Staff
7 PAC Meeting in the STEM Lab at 7:00 PM
11 No School - Veterans Day
12 Scholastic Book Fair Week on the Stage. Open during Conferences!
12 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5-7:00 PM
14 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 5-7:00 PM
15 Parent-Teacher Conferences by Appointment, 1-3:00 PM
15 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
16 PAC Sponsored Parents Night Out!
27 Early Release at 11:55 AM. Dismissal begins at 11:49.
28 No School - Happy Thanksgiving!
29 No School
OPR Halloween Parade
On Thursday, October 31st, we will continue the long-standing tradition of the OPR Halloween Parade. The parade begins at 8:45 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.
Martial Arts After School Program Grades K-2
LG Martial Arts is collaborating with OPR to bring a Kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 after school martial arts program!
Program Includes:
- 3 Week Course
- Finale at LG Martial Arts Studio
- Weekly Assignments
- Character Development
Important Dates:
Class 1: Thursday, Nov 7th, 3:00-3:40 pm
Class 2: Thursday, Nov 14th, 3:00-3:40 pm
Class 3: Thursday, Nov 21st, 3:00-3:40 pm
Finale: Sunday, Nov 24th, 10-11 am
Fundraiser Cost:
4 Classes (3 Weeks + Finale): $35
Check or Money Order to: Town Of Walpole
Dismissal is at the gym doors at 3:40 pm.
See the attached flyer for more information and a letter from LG Martial Arts.
Music with Ms. Yee
Grade K
Singing: Students continue to echo vocal calls and use body signs to warm up their singing voices. Students enjoyed learning two echo songs called, “Charlie over the Ocean” and a song from Spain called, “Bate, Bate”.
Movement: Students learned a seasonal song called, “Leaves are Falling Down”. They improvised and created their own leaf dances using colorful ribbon wands.The movements reinforced the melodic contour of the song. It was beautiful!
Grade 1
Singing: Students are learning about “question & answer” form in music. They really enjoyed a question and answer song from El Salvador called, “Tortuga Concha” (Turtle Shell). They will play a question & answer game using xylophones in the weeks to come.
Literacy: Students continue to use iconic notation to read melody and rhythm. They will be introduced to traditional notation later this year.
Movement: Students learned two popular dances from Mexico called, “La Raspa” and “Conga”. Both Lively dances helped reinforce A/B patterns using sound and movement.
Grade 2
Singing and Movement: Students are learning about folk songs and oral traditions. Two of their favorite U.S folk songs are called, “Chicken on a fencepost” and “Down Came a Lady”. Students will learn to write some of the rhythms found in these songs later in the year.
Instruments: Students enjoyed playing classroom instruments while accompanying a new song called, “Autumn is Here”. Instruments included woodblocks,drums, guiros, maracas and triangles.
Grade 3
Singing: Students learned a fun vocal warm up called, “Mashing M & M’s”. Students are beginning to learn partner songs. Partners songs are a pair of songs that can be sung together to create harmony. Students are super excited to be singing in different parts and sound amazing.
Instruments & Literacy: The recorders are in! Students learned to play notes B, A and G. They enjoyed playing two energetic songs called, “B Funky” and “A is for Africa”. Recorder books will be going home in the next few weeks . Keep practicing!
Grades 4
Movement and Form: Students learned a popular dance from the Jalisco region of Mexico called, “Los Machetes”. Students enjoyed this lively dance while reinforcing musical form.
Instruments & Literacy: Students were introduced to the note “C” on the recorder. They are learning a challenging piece called, “March of the Recorders”. The recorder playing sounds terrific!
Grade 5
Literacy & Instruments: Grade 5 students started a mini unit focusing on rhythm. They used drum pads and sticks to read and play standard notation. Notation included quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes and rests and new syncopated patterns. They will compose their own music using these rhythms later in the year.
Lyric Project: Students worked on a Bookcreator project called “Lyrical Me”. Students chose some of their favorite song lyrics and described a personal connection or memory using illustrations and photo images. They did a great job adding audios of themselves singing and creating dynamic backgrounds to enhance their presentations.
Social Emotional Learning with Ms. Bishop & Mrs. Murray
News from the Nurse
The Flu has arrived. Please review these precautionary actions with your children:
to regularly cover your cough and sneezes
wash your hands often
avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
How can I protect my child from the flu?
The first and best way to protect against flu is to get a yearly flu vaccine for yourself and your child.
Are flu vaccines safe?
Flu vaccines have an excellent safety record.
Millions of people have safely received flu vaccines for decades.
Flu shots and nasal spray flu vaccines are both options for vaccination.
What are the benefits of getting a flu vaccine?
A flu vaccine can keep you and your child from getting sick. When vaccine viruses and circulating viruses are matched, flu vaccination has been shown to reduce risk of getting sick with flu by about 40 to 60%.
Flu vaccines can keep your child from being hospitalized for flu in the pediatric intensive care unit. One recent study showed that flu vaccines reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit admission by 74%. Flu vaccines can be life saving in children.
Flu vaccination also may make your illness milder if you do get sick.
Getting yourself and your child vaccinated also can protect others who may be more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain long-term health problems.
AAP Recommendations for the Flu Vaccine
For more information about the Flu: Flu guide for Parents
Thank you for the generous donations from the Amazon Wish List! We are so appreciative!!!
The Health Office has a limited amount of clothes to borrow for emergencies. We will gladly accept gently used clothes donations. Please see our Amazon Wish list as well. Thank you so much!!! OPR Health Office Wish List
In order to minimize the spread of infectious disease and to provide for a safe environment, the WPS Health Care Policy has been created to assist you. Please review this document as the nurses are required to adhere to these guidelines to help support the health of the entire school community. WPS Illness Protocol
Kindly,
Bonnie Kowalsky, RN
508-660-7219 ext 5804
fax: 866.809.6567
OPR Links:
OPR ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Walpole Public Schools Links:
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.
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
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@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
What's in the Walpole Community Backpack?
10/23 Teen Halloween Pop Up Art; 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.; Ages 13+; Lmit of 15; Must register online
Multilingual Learner PAC (MLPAC) Meeting
Please contact the Multilingual Learner Family Engagement Center at mlfec@walpole.k12.ma.us or at (508) 660-7257 ext. 5033 for further information or to request an interpreter or child care for the event.
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
