WHS eNotes

Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:

Recently, I was driving to another school for one of our away games. I jumped into the car, and immediately plugged the name of the school into my GPS. As I did so, I considered the fact that I probably could not get to my destination without using GPS. This handy little tool, developed first by the military to track submarines back in the 1960’s, has provided such an easy way to find directions by the fastest possible route. It has rendered it unnecessary to memorize or retain directions anymore - at least while the satellite network continues to operate. What happens if/when it does not work?

ChatGPT is a similar technology. It can provide answers to your homework questions, define/explain a concept, summarize a reading, solve a math problem, write computer code, or draft a paper, among many other things. If used exclusively, however, will we be lost without it if/when it is not at our fingertips?

New tools are being developed everyday to help us get through our daily lives. Let’s keep in mind the day might come when we need to rely on our own learning and skill, and don’t be too quick to replace that with a piece of technology!

This Monday, January 22, is the last day of the semester, and report cards will be issued on January 30th.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

Dear WHS parents and guardians,

Please join us on Wed, January 31st at 7:00pm to learn about the post-high school planning process. Course planning early in your child’s school career can vary depending upon their interests. All are welcome and we especially encourage parents of younger students to attend to explore “what’s next” in their path to adulthood.

Use this link to RSVP.

Agenda

• Principal Imbusch provides a general school update.

• Jen Dolan, Director of Guidance, explains the college admissions process and James Connolly will highlight the expanding WHS Work Study program.

• Parent panel shares personal experiences and tips for navigating the many post-high school options.

We look forward to seeing you in the Media Center on January 31st, 7:00pm!

WHS PAC Committee

Kathy Falvey, Eileen Heffernan, Nancy Niles

The Walpole Scholarship Foundation Application cycle is now open! Any Walpole resident applying to or currently attending a post-high school institution that offers an advanced course of study may apply for a scholarship. This includes four-year bachelor's degree programs, associate degree programs, and technical certificate programs.

Academic merit, financial need, extracurricular activities (including community service and work experience) and personal qualities are all considerations in awarding scholarships. The selection of the winners is overseen by the WSF Board of Trustees but is determined by an independent group of community members representing all sections of Walpole.

The application deadline is February 1, 2024 at noon. To apply please visit www.walpolescholarshipfoundation.org/apply

The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the spring session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. 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. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.

Session 2 will run February 5 to June 14. Registration is open Friday, January 12th through Monday, January 29th.

For more information, visit:

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

To register, visit:

https://students.arbitersports.com/walpole-public-schools/private-music-lessons-2023-2024-session-ii

For questions, email:

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

If you are interested in travelling to Rwanda next year to learn about the Rwandan Civil War and genocide against the Tutsi, spend time getting to know locals in the small village of Giperefe and assist them in service-driven projects focused on community development and protecting tradition, and go on safari through Akagera National Park, then come to an informational meeting next Thursday, January 25th. Click on the QR code below to find out more and to RSVP if interested!

During the week of January 29th, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Walpole Public Schools. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners, what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English language education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.

Parents and other individuals may call Andy McDonie, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3541 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Walpole Public Schools with a report with information about areas in which the Walpole Public Schools meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Walpole Public Schools requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.

The following scholarships are now available:

Big Y Foods, Inc. Scholarship- due by 2/1/2024

bigy.com/community/scholarships

Rockland Trust Scholarship

https://www.rocklandtrust.com/about-us/explore/scholarships

Collegium Pharmaceutical Scholarship Program

https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/collegiumpharma/

Bridgewater Credit Union Scholarship

mvcu.com/scholarship

The Rebekah Assembly Scholarship- application in the counseling office Student-View Scholarhship- www.student-view.com

Recognition Ads are now on sale

If you would like to congratulate your senior with a recognition ad in the back of the Yearbook, purchase a recognition ad at this link:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1065365

Recognition ads are due by January 31st.

Underclassmen: If you are interested in purchasing a 2024 Yearbook, here's the link: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A03562700

For an explanation about class dues and how to pay, click Class Dues

There will be a STEM Academy Meeting on Monday 1/29 at 2:15 in room 1336. We will be discussing junior and senior project requirements as well as checking in with all grades.

The Photography Club will meet next Thursday January 25, 2024. The theme is Books. Take out your favorite book or series and take a picture of it. Take a picture of your favorite page of a book, stack your favorite series of books, or place the pages in a different way such as a heart or put your book next to a nice cup of coffee or cocoa. Be creative. Anyone that is interested in the Photography Club can contact Mrs. D'Agostino and follow our instagram: photography_whs123

The Humane Society will be collecting donations for local shelters. We will be collecting towels, paper towels, unopened dog/cat food, gently used collars and leashes, gently used toys, dog beds, sanitizing wipes and other pet supplies. There will be a box in the front lobby for donations.

Walpole Timberwolves apparel check out the link below.

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/massachusetts/walpole/walpole-high-school

For a list of upcoming events please click on the following link: https://sites.google.com/a/walpole.k12.ma.us/athletics/

Email: rdowd@walpole.k12.ma.us
Phone: 508-660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleAD

Email: simbusch@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpolewhs.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 275 Common Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7257
Twitter: @WalpoleHS