Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:

Happy New Year, everyone. This weekend, we are forecast to have our first snowstorm of the winter. Luckily, it should be out of here by Sunday afternoon, and school start times should not be affected on Monday.

However, there are a couple of things I would like to say about getting to school in bad weather:

First, drive with care. This may be the first time many students are going to experience driving in the snow, and although Driver’s Education has provided the theory of how to drive safely in bad weather, there is nothing like first-hand experience. ‘How to Drive in Snow Safely’ is an acquired skill, and should be practiced with purpose.

Second, you should set the alarm clock earlier on Monday morning. Many students get to school just as the bell goes. When the weather turns bad, those students will be late if they leave the house at the same time they usually do. Leaving the house earlier also means you can take your time and get to school safely.

Have a great weekend, and stay safe!

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

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

A New Approach Counseling in Canton, MA is beginning a few new groups starting the week of January 8th.

They have an Anxiety Support Group, one for ages 12-14 on Tuesdays from 7-8pm and another for ages 15-17 from 7-8pm. This is a discussion group for those in need of support from peers and provides teens an opportunity to process through events and topics with others in their age group.

They also have a couple of DBT groups starting up, one for ages 12-14 on Tuesdays from 6-7pm and another for ages 15-17 on Mondays from 6-7pm. This group covers the four modules of mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal relationships while helping teens develop these skills to be able to implement outside of the group.

Please reach out to Jennifer Walter, Group Leader, at (475) 882-6474 for more information.

Please see the Winter Edition of the DEI Departments Newsletter. The link will also be available on the WPS DEI website

DEI Newsletter link: https://www.smore.com/ue86g

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 Work Study Program is seeking donations of new or gently used hand tools relevant to various trades: carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, automotive, and more. Donations can be dropped-off in the main office at Walpole High School or a donation pick up can be arranged. Every tool donated is a step towards securing a brighter future for our students.

For more information, or to arrange a donation pick up contact James Connolly at jconnolly@walpole.k12.ma.us

The following scholarships are now available:

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

bigy.com/community/scholarships

Walpole Historical Society Scholarship- available for students pursuing studies in history, library science, archaeology, historical anthropology and any field pertaining to conservation, restoration or preservation of historical materials.

Application can be found in the School Counseling Office

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 Best Buddies meeting on Monday, January 8th from 2:10-3:00 pm in the Health room.

The Photography Club will meet Thursday, January 11, 2024. The theme for next week is SNOW! It is going to snow on Sunday (hopefully a good amount for pictures) so get out in the snow and take some photos while you are shoveling and cleaning off the cars. Get them early while the snow is fresh and with no footprints! As always follow our instagram: photography_whs123

For more information on the Photography Club contact Mrs. D'Agostino.

Interested in joining a club that helps provide impoverished children and families with necessities like proper nutrition and education? We meet on the 1st Thursday of every month in room 2308. You can join the WHS UNICEF Club Google Classroom page using the code: 6n53b2n

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