WPS Superintendent Updates

Dear WPS Community,

As we continue to enjoy the extended summer sunshine, it has been amazing to see our classrooms come alive as we start the 2024-2025 school year. As always, thank you to our incredible staff for their hard work preparing for a successful opening. Dr. Hahn and I have enjoyed our early visits to schools to connect with our students, families, and staff.

We welcomed students moving in from our neighboring towns, as well as those who returned to WPS from charter, vocational, and private schools. We also welcomed families who moved to Walpole from other states, such as Florida, New York, Rhode Island, and Indiana, and from other countries, such as Brazil, Ethiopia, and the UK.

Please make sure to check your individual school site for upcoming events. As a reminder, September 20th is an early release day.

Bridget A. Gough, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Our Back to School Nights are a wonderful opportunity for you to get a first hand glimpse into your child's educational journey. These are informative sessions designed to bridge the gap between home and school. This is your chance to meet your child's teachers, gain insights into classroom routines, curriculum plans, and discover how you can actively support your child's learning experience.

A few reasons to attend:

1. Meet the Educators: Connect with your child's teachers and learn about their teaching philosophies, goals, and the classroom environment. Establishing this personal connection sets the foundation for a strong partnership throughout the school year.

2. Curriculum Insights: Gain a deeper understanding of the subjects and topics your child will be exploring. Teachers will outline the curriculum and provide insights into how you can reinforce learning at home.

3. Classroom Dynamics: Get a feel for the classroom atmosphere and routines. Understand daily schedules, expectations, and communication channels, ensuring a smooth and supportive learning experience for your child.

4. Ask Questions: This is the perfect space to ask questions, seek clarifications, and address any concerns you might have. Open communication between parents and educators is crucial for your child's academic success.

5. Community Building: Back-to-School Nights provide an opportunity to connect with other families in your child's class. Building a supportive network can enrich your family's school experience.

Back To School Night Dates

Daniel Feeney Preschool: Sept. 30

Boyden: Sept. 25

Elm: Sept. 24

Fisher: Oct. 1

Old Post Road: Sept. 26

Walpole High School: Sept. 19

Walpole Middle School

Grades 6: Oct. 28

Grades 7 & 8: Oct. 29

This summer, WHS student and Speech President, Nirjara Akkole, attended the Massachusetts Girls State, a one-week-long immersive experience that focuses on empowering leaders of the future through a focus in government and advocacy. At Girls State, Nirjara was elected to be the Massachusetts Secretary of State and was chosen out of over 300 participants to represent Massachusetts as a Senator at Girls Nation. This honor includes a week-long all-expenses-paid experience in Washington, D.C., where she has the opportunity to engage in legislative sessions and advocacy. Nirijara will be recognized at an upcoming School Committee meeting.

Please be advised that the Fales, Leach, Rogers, and Kunde Scholarship application will be available from October 1 through October 31. The application is on the district website and also available in the Superintendent's Office.

Awards are for undergraduates attending four-year accredited colleges. The primary criteria for awarding scholarships shall be scholastic ability, need, and character of the applicant. To be eligible for these scholarships, the student must be a graduate of Walpole High School.

Back in April, WHS was one of 22 districts awarded new Innovation Career Pathway designations. Innovation Career Pathways provides students with work-based, applied learning experiences in high-demand industries. Students at Walpole High will have access to the same high-quality academic programming, while also gaining increased access to enriching career and work-related experiences throughout their high school journey.

Please click this link to learn more about this new program for our WHS students. Students should see their school counselor for more information if they are interested.

Please join Dr. Gough and Dr. Hahn on Friday, September 20th from 8:30-9:45 am at the WHS Track. This event is designed to promote community engagement and wellness. Come for a portion or stay the entire time. This event is open to all community members.

The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the fall session of Private Lesson Programs for students in grades 4 - 12. 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. Session I is from September 23rd to January 31st and Session II is from February 3rd to June 13th.

For more information, visit:

https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview

To register, visit:

https://www.familyid.com/walpole-public-schools/private-music-lessons-2023-2024-session-i

For questions, email:

Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us.

While school meals are free for all students this year, it is very important for families to still complete the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2024-2025 school year. Completing this form may entitle your child to other benefits such as waived or reduced fees for bus transportation, college applications, SATS, or other community programs. The application can be found here. Questions can be directed to Maria Hall, Food Services Director at mhall@walpole.k12.ma.us or calling 774-315-5640.

Additionally, families may consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. More SNAP information can be found here or by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

Although construction of the building is complete, the parking lot will not be finished until 6 to 8 weeks after school opens. During this phase of construction, we will have an alternate route for car drop-off and pick-up. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we greatly appreciate your patience and flexibility during this time. To ensure the safety and smooth operation of drop-off and pick-up, we have put alternative plans in place. Please review these plans carefully and follow the guidelines provided to help us manage traffic flow efficiently. Your cooperation will be essential in making this interim period as seamless as possible for everyone. District and school administration are consistently collaborating with the Walpole Police Department to plan for a safe opening. Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support.

Temporary student drop-off / pick-up loop: For the start of the school year, all passenger vehicle student drop-off and pick-up traffic will enter the school site from Washington Street, take the first right before reaching the new building, and proceed around to the drop-off / pick-up point for students. Vehicles will then exit on East Street. We ask that everyone kindly follow the directions given by personnel on-site to guide traffic.

Temporary bus exit road: At the start of the school year, all bus traffic will enter the school site from Washington Street, proceed to the left of the new building, and drop off or pick up students at the paved walkway that leads to the main entrance of the school.

Walkers/bike riders: The pedestrian paths off East St. and Washington St. will be complete for walkers and bike riders for the first day of school.

The Middle School Project website has the latest developments of our new middle school! The community is encouraged to contact the Middle School Project team with any questions or comments via email at middleschoolproject@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Email: districtnews@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: www.walpole.k12.ma.us
Location: 135 School Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: 508-660-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walpolepublicschools/
Twitter: @PublicWalpole