WPS Superintendent Updates
Extended Day February Vacation Camp
The Extended Day Program is offering a February Vacation Camp for the upcoming school break, February 18 - February 20. The Camp is open to all Walpole Schools students in grades K—5 and will be held at Boyden School. More information can be found HERE. If you have any questions, please contact Dan Santangelo, Director of Extended Day, at dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us.
Walpole Scholarship Applications Available
The Walpole Scholarship Foundation (WSF) is now accepting applications for 2025 scholarships, available at walpolescholarshipfoundation.org. Since 1983, WSF has awarded over 4,000 scholarships totaling more than $5 million to support Walpole residents pursuing post-secondary education. Eligibility includes Walpole residents and METCO students who graduated or will graduate from Walpole High School, and are applying to or currently attending programs such as bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, or technical certifications. Graduate students are not eligible.
Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2025, by 12:00 noon. Visit the WSF website for details or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates. To apply please visit www.walpolescholarshipfoundation.org/apply.
Kindergarten Registration 2025-2026
WPS 2025-2026 Kindergarten Pre-registration will be open from January 2 through January 31, 2025. 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 and Wednesday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Tuesday 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM and Friday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
*Kindergarten age-qualified children are those who turn five (5) years old before September 1 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.
WHS Innovation Career Pathways
IBM and the Work-Based Learning Alliance are offering students the chance to participate in paid, 100-hour virtual internships in Cyber Security, Clean Energy, and CAD. WHS students who are interested in participating can register here. Applications are now open for the Winter and Spring cycles. Spots are very limited and time commitment is required. For more details, check out the internship informational flyer and the student information video. Students interested in learning more about Innovation Career Pathways can also connect with their school counselor, Assistant Principal Tobey, or Mr. Connolly.
Tune In: Private Music Lessons with WPS
The WPS music department offers students the opportunity to study instruments and voice after school with a private teacher. Private lessons are taught by highly qualified professional instructors who have demonstrated excellence in their performing and teaching. The mission of the private lesson program is to help children develop a lifelong love of music and joy in music-making. Spring lessons begin February 3rd. Please access this link to register your student for private music lessons.
For more information, please visit our program website: https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview
For questions, email:
Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us
Walpole High School Project Information
As you may have noticed, our construction project at the high school is now underway. This long-planned initiative focuses on key priorities to improve our facilities and enhance the student experience, including:
Upgrading the science and STEM facilities
Expanding resources for our underserved music, physical education, and athletic programs
Creating a flexible multi-purpose space and enhancing student services
Improving the exterior site, including parking, traffic flow, and pedestrian safety
For detailed information about the project, including FAQs and interior floorplans (some featuring QR codes for 3D interior modeling), please visit our project website.
Construction and Renovation Phases & Dates are as follows:
Phase 1A – Parking: Dec 2024
Phase 1B – Field House, Greenhouse, Sitework: Dec 2024 – Dec 2025
Phase 2 – Science Wing: June 2025 – Aug 2025
Phase 3 – Music & Multi-purpose space (In the existing gym): Jan 2026 – June 2026
Phase 4 – Student Services and Sitework: June 2026 – Aug 2026
Project Completion: August 2026
We are excited to see these enhancements take shape and appreciate your patience and support throughout the process.
Snow Days
The Superintendent of Schools is ultimately responsible for the final decision to cancel school based on various weather-related factors and information received from the Department of Public Works. In the event of school cancellation or delayed opening, a recorded phone message will be sent to each family's phone contact, broadcasted through Channel 4, 5, 7, and Fox 25, Twitter, posted on the Walpole Public Schools app and district website, and an email will be sent to all families. As a reminder, DESE does not allow any district-wide remote learning days to replace a snow day, and therefore, any snow days will be made up in June.
Job Openings
The following are job openings available at WPS:
- Extended Day Site Coordinator
- Extended Day Assistants
- LTS Education Support Professional (ESP)
- LTS Grade 2 Teacher
If you or someone you know is currently looking for a position, we encourage you to contact our Human Resources Coordinator, Laurie Sylvia @ lsylvia@walpole.k12.ma.us or visit https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpshumanresources/employment-opportunities.
Virtual Backpack
As a reminder, the Walpole Public Schools website has a link called the Virtual Backpack which is a great place to look for postings about community events and programs. Please visit the link above often to see what is currently happening in our community.
Free and Reduced Meal Applications
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.