OPR Summer Update
Summer 2025
Dear OPR Families,
As we wrap up another excellent learning year at OPR, I want to take a moment to thank all of our students and families for their continued support, enthusiasm, and commitment to learning. It’s truly been a year filled with growth, curiosity, and countless accomplishments across all grades.
After many years of dedicated service to the students of both Old Post Road School and Boyden School, Mrs. Lavallee, our Team Chair, will be retiring at the end of this school year. Her commitment to supporting students, families, and staff has made a lasting impact, and she will be truly missed. We are incredibly grateful for all she has done and wish her the very best as she begins this well-deserved next chapter.
Mrs. Potash, our dedicated Physical Therapist, will be retiring after many years of service to the students of Old Post Road and across the Walpole Public Schools. Her care, expertise, and commitment have supported so many children in reaching their goals. We are thankful for all she has given to our school community and wish her the very best in her retirement!
Over the summer months, I encourage everyone to keep that love of learning going strong. Exploring new books, practicing math in fun and meaningful ways, and staying curious will help students feel confident and ready when we return in the fall. Be sure to check out the OPR Summer Reading and OPR Summer Math activities shared below—they’re a great way to stay engaged while enjoying a well-deserved break.
Report Cards are now viewable in the Aspen Family Portal. Complete information is below.
On behalf of the teachers and staff at Old Post Road School, have a safe and enjoyable summer!
David N. Barner, Principal
dbarner@walpole.k12.ma.us
Contact OPR Office (Secretaries and Nurse): oproffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
June
13 Report Cards viewable in the Aspen Family Portal
August
14 At 5:00 PM, Teacher Assignments Viewable in the Aspen Family Portal: Aspen Family Portal Link
OPR Start Time for 2025-2026
The four elementary schools rotate start and end times every three years. The 2025-2026 School Year represents year one of the next rotation.
The OPR start time will be 35 minutes later. Old Post Road School will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Student arrival time is 8:50-9:00. Students are tardy after 9:00.
Engaging in reading throughout the summer months helps students of all ages build their knowledge of the world, learn new vocabulary, and practice their word solving skills. This helps them feel prepared and confident when entering the next grade in the Fall.
Check out the WPS Summer Elementary Literacy Site (linked into our school's student homepage) for book recommendations, tips, and ways students can share what they are reading this summer. Also be sure to visit the Walpole Public Library, where students can "level up" by tracking their reading minutes and earn prizes. Happy Reading!
Let’s inspire reading this summer!
HERE is a fun video that shares some book recommendations.
Visit this Book Recommendations Padlet where students can post books that they are reading.
Helpful Summer Reading Tips
Create a Reading Routine: Set aside time each day for reading, whether it’s before bed or after school. A consistent routine helps children develop reading habits that last a lifetime.
Explore New Genres: Summer is a great time to explore new types of books! Encourage your child to try out different genres such as mystery, adventure, or even non-fiction, to discover what excites them.
Read Together: Spend time reading aloud with your child. This fosters discussion about the story and allows you to bond over the excitement of reading. Don’t forget to ask questions and share your thoughts about the book!Visit the Library: Take a trip to the Walpole Public Library to pick out fresh books for the season. Check out the fun summer reading program with incentives that will motivate your child to read even more.
Make It Fun: Turn reading into a fun activity by incorporating creative ideas like acting out parts of the story, drawing illustrations based on the book, or even baking some cookies like Ruth Wakefield!
Use audiobooks: On long car rides or quiet afternoons, audiobooks are a great way to engage with stories in a different way.
Keep a summer journal: Encourage your child to write a few sentences each day about their experiences or adventures.
Send postcards or letters: Writing to friends, family, or even fictional characters helps develop narrative skills.
Creative writing prompts: Use fun prompts like, “If I could visit any place in the world…” or “My pet’s secret life…”
Interested in celebrating the start of the school year by purchasing school supplies? Click here to see the OPR Supply Lists by grade level. If you need assistance, please contact the Principal, School Counselors, or School Nurse for confidential support.
https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/opr-supply-list/home
Teacher Snack Cart Donations
Click to shop from our Amazon list. Questions: Melanie.D.Taylor@gmail.com
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
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:
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
October 2024 - $113.40
November 2024 - $141.00
December 2024 - $92.10
2022 Calendar Year Total - $907.50
2023 Calendar Year Total - $1210.60
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
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
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.
Registration is now open for the 52nd Annual Walpole Labor Day Road Race!
Don’t miss this wonderful Walpole tradition. Sign-up now for the 5K, 10K, or Youth Mile. All proceeds support the 200+ athletes in the Walpole High School Cross Country / Track & Field Program. Each race participant will receive a finisher’s medal. If you register before August 15th, you’ll also receive a free race t-shirt! Can’t join us live? No problem. We have virtual editions for both the 5K and 10K races. For additional information and to register online, please visit www.walpoleroadrace.org.
See you on Race Day - Monday, September 1st!
