Boyden Weekly Update

Dear Boyden Families,

It’s been quite an interesting week weather-wise! We started the week sweating in 80-degree temperatures and ended it shivering in the 40s. Unless it’s raining or extremely cold, we go outside for recess every day, so please be sure to send your child with appropriate layers.

Please remember that there is no school on Monday.

Have a nice long weekend!

Brendan

Math News from Mrs. Rinaldi

In our fast-paced world filled with standards and expectations, goals and grades, one essential part of learning, no matter what subject or age of student, often gets overlooked-the power of play. Brandon Smith, the head mathematician for Mind Education and ST Math puts it best , “None of this is wasted time. It’s the brain at work, wiring itself for problem-solving, social understanding, and persistence. Play is the most natural laboratory the brain has. It sparks curiosity, lowers fear, and keeps learners engaged long enough to wrestle with big ideas.” (Read the full article, “When Math Begins with Play, Everything Changes”)

Fortunately, play is embedded in our math curriculum in Walpole. Through ST Math, Work Places in Bridges, Number Corner activities and the wide variety of math games our teachers use, students are actively learning math while having fun.

Families often ask educators what they can do to support their child’s learning at home. After a long day of school, some homework and probably an activity or sport one of the best things you can encourage after school is simple: play! Board games, card games, and even some computer games (though we do encourage more socially interactive games) will have your child engaging in a fun activity while boosting their pathways for flexible thinking, problem solving and number sense! Our Family Math site includes a whole section on games that can support your child’s growth as a mathematician. The next time you are wondering what might help your child the most, remember the wise words of Mr. Rogers…

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.

But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” - Mr. Rogers

Notes from the Music Room

🎵 Kindergarten

Our kindergarten musicians have transitioned beautifully into the rhythm of the music room! They’ve been learning through singing games, musical stories, and instrument play. We’ve even explored a few words in Italian and German!

👉 Ask your child what glockenspiel means, or to explain forte, piano, presto, and largo!

🎶 1st & 2nd Grade

First and second graders have been exploring the exciting story of Peer Gynt, composed by Edvard Grieg. They’ve listened to Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King — try playing these at home and see if they recognize them! Students have also played along using boomwhackers and rhythm sticks, adding their own rhythm to the music!

🎼 3rd Grade

Third graders are hard at work learning the note names on the treble clef staff as they prepare for their recorder lessons beginning in November. Their growing music-reading skills will help them play their first songs with confidence and pride!

🎧 4th Grade

Fourth graders are using their imaginations to write and perform original stories — then bring them to life with sound! Using the Kids Soundboard and Doctor Music apps, they’re creating soundscapes (background sounds and effects) to set the mood and make their stories even more exciting and realistic

🥁 5th Grade

Fifth grade musicians are collaborating on a group rhythm project using the Incredibox app! They’re creating their own backing tracks (beats and grooves) to perform alongside their rhythm pieces. This project combines creativity, teamwork, and the 12 rhythmic patterns they’ve been practicing.

💫 Keep the Music Going!

Encourage your child to share what they’ve learned — sing a song together, move to the beat, or listen to one of the pieces we’ve studied in class.
Music is everywhere — let’s keep it playing!

Superintendent's Update

Check out Dr. Gough's Superintendent Update here

CLICK HERE

Black and Orange Day

Friday, October 31st, will be Black and Orange Day at Boyden. Students and staff are encouraged to wear black and orange to school on Tuesday. We ask that students do not wear or bring Halloween costumes to school. Thank you!

Cellular Phones/Electronic Devices

If your child comes to school with a phone or wears a cellular watch to school please read below:

Per the Elementary School Handbook - Students may not use cellular phones, smart watches, or other electronic devices during the day. If students need to have one of the above devices for an out of school purpose, the device must be kept turned off and remain in the backpack. If a student is found to have an electronic device in his or her possession, outside of the backpack, it will be kept in the office until a parent is able to pick it up.

MCAS Scores

Next week, the Walpole Public Schools will be mailing MCAS results to families. While MCAS provides one measure of student progress, it is just one of many tools we use. Teachers also rely on ongoing classroom assessments to monitor student growth and evaluate the effectiveness of our district curriculum. Parent-teacher conferences in November will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in more detail, highlighting areas where they are excelling as well as aspects of the grade-level standards that may present more of a challenge.

Boyden Fun Run

On Tuesday 10/14/25 the PAC will be launching its Bulldog Dash fundraiser with a goal of raising $20,000. Our purpose is to support teachers and staff in enriching the school experience for our entire school community. We thank you in advance for supporting our Fun Run to achieve this goal. Our fundraising efforts will go toward curriculum enrichments such as special assemblies, field trips, school community events, & teacher appreciation. In addition, this year we are raising money to purchase a permanent Gaga Ball Pit to add to our playground.

More information will be sent home next week including incentives and prizes. You can get a head start and register your children today by going to WWW.GETMOVINFUNDHUB.COM and entering our school code: 68b73ac57f50e

The actual event will be held on November 7th. Please keep a look out for the sign up genius for volunteers!