WHS eNotes

Dear students, staff, and parents/guardians:

Senior year can be wrought with emotion. When you consider that this is the first time in 13 years that students don’t have a clear picture of what they will be experiencing the following September, this is not surprising. Whether a student is going into a trade, joining the military, going into the world of work, or attending college, the unknown can be a scary place. This can manifest itself in many different ways. And this is normal. Seniors should remember that we are here to help with any/all aspects of this transition.

With many of our seniors heading to college in the fall, this video was made by Lauren Garbett, a 2023 graduate of Walpole High, with the specific intent of helping to ease the anxiety that often accompanies the transition from high school to college.

Finally, the following video was provided for parents by the Norfolk District Attorney’s office as we approach the season of high school celebrations - “What Parents Should Know About Social Host Issues”

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Stephen Imbusch

Principal

Please consider donating any type of new and gently used shoes to help those in impoverished countries and the environment by keeping them out of land fills. There is a drop-box in the high school lobby where you can place the shoes. For more information on Soles4Souls, please check out their website here: http://soles4souls.org/ . Thank you!

As you know the MCAS test is an important benchmark in earning a high school diploma. English and Math teachers have been preparing students for success throughout this school year.

It is extremely important that students are present and on time to school on MCAS testing days. It is also essential that students bring on testing day a fully charged chromebook fully charged. If your student is experiencing any problems with their chromebook or are currently not using their assigned chromebook please follow up with IT here at WHS.

Dates for the testing are as follows:

English Language Arts --- Tuesday, March 26th & Wednesday, March 27th

Should students wish to prepare for MCAS testing beyond classroom instruction, they can find Support Materials linked here.

Please see your School Counselor if you have any questions related to MCAS testing.

Scheduling classes for 2024/2025

Beginning on Friday, March 15th students will be meeting with counselors in Seminar to review important information about graduation requirements and the course selection process. At this time students will be entering their course requests. Students should review this site for the WHS Program of Studies and course information. Juniors and Sophomores will meet during B Block in the cafeteria. Freshman will meet during their scheduled B Block study hall/PE class. More information was sent to the Freshman regarding their scheduled seminar time.

Beginning March 27th counselors will be meeting 1:1 with students to finalize requests and ensure students did not miss required coursework, etc. Again, please review the attached Program of Studies and Elective Sheets. Verification information will be sent home April 22nd.

The following scholarships are now available:

Thomas Quinn Memorial Scholarship- application in the school counseling office, due by 4/27/24

Chief Carmichael Jr. Scholarship- application in the school counseling office, due by 4/11/24

King Philip Youth Hockey Scholarship- application in the school counseling office, due by 5/5/24

*James Erker and Fiona Murphy XC/Track & Field Scholarships

Applications for the 2024 James Erker and Fiona Murphy XC/Track & Field Scholarships will be available beginning Friday, March 1st. Any senior who participated in XC, Winter Track & Field, or Spring Track & Field during their high school career is eligible to apply.

Seven ($500) scholarships will be awarded at graduation to seniors who have exemplified excellence in dedication, leadership, team spirit, sportsmanship, cooperation, and respect. The deadline for completed applications is Friday, March 29th. If you have any questions, please contact one of the scholarship coordinators listed below:

Bekah Ahern @ rebekah.ahern@gmail.com or Kristin Bowden @ kristin.bowden@gmail.com

The World Language Department is offering students the opportunity to earn the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school

or district in recognition of students who have attained proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in two or more languages by high school graduation.

The Seal is awarded at two proficiency levels and can be used to communicate with academic institutions, employers, and the community that students are able to study, work, and engage with others in two or more languages. Students who meet the criteria for the Seal of Biliteracy will receive an insignia provided by the Department of Education to be affixed to their high school transcript. An application is available for juniors with testing dates in April. Interested students can talk to their World Language teacher or see Ms. Kay (room 1321 inside the language lab) to receive an application.

It's that time of year again and we are preparing to clean up all the litter in town that has collected over the winter. This year's cleanup event will be April 6th. We are looking for volunteers to identify areas that need cleaning and get out there to start picking up! Please consider joining us as an individual or as a team. If you would like to volunteer, please use the sign up link below - this lets us know you're out there and where you are planning to pick up. The sign up is not mandatory to participate.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C48AFA92DA75-48513891-townwide

Please help us spread the word by sharing with your Walpole friends and neighbors. Thank you for your continued support!

Looking for something to do this summer? There are many Pre-College Summer Programs available to high school students. Please visit the Summer Programs site for a list of opportunities. Please note that this is continually being updated.

The Walpole High School Junior - Senior Prom will be held on Friday, May 17th at Gillette Stadium, Route 1 Foxboro from 6 pm - 10:00 pm (Mandatory attendance until 9:30 pm).

Tickets will go on sale starting Monday, April 1st. Price is $95.00 per ticket.

If your son or daughter will be bringing a guest to the prom who does NOT go to Walpole High School, they must fill out a "GUEST PERMISSION SLIP FORM".

The form must be filled out completely. It will require three signatures; 1. parent/guardian 2. school administrator/college administrator/employer/or armed service administrator 3. your WHS assistant principal. Also a copy of a photo ID (with date of birth) must be submitted with the permission slip in order for an assistant principal to give administrative approval to attend.

Forms are now available in the main office or in the enotes attachment below "prom guest permission slip".

If you have any further questions please contact Ms. Allison at: sallison@walpole.k12.ma.us.

The Photography Club will meet Thursday March 28, 2024. The theme for next week is: Black and White photos, so use those filters. Or you can take a picture and put a Vignette on them. Or you can do both, put a black and white filter and a vignette. If you know me you know I love a vignette, one of my favorites! Take a picture of anything you want, the theme is the black and white filters and/or vignettes. Can't wait to see your photos next week. Follow our instagram: photography_whs123 For more information on the Photography Club contact Mrs. D'Agostino.

If you are interested in joining Unified Track and Field and missed the information meeting earlier this week, please complete the following survey.

https://forms.gle/hVPJGuMU7AMe29oe8

Please email pferraro@walpole.k12.ma.us with any questions

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. All monetary donations are making a difference at local shelters, like the sponsoring of a puppy cage through the Great Dog Rescue of New England.

Last chance to get your orders in! We will be closing down the form on Wednesday, 3/27 to ensure that we have enough time to fill all the orders. Want to have your own Easter Egg Hunt without all the hassle? Let the members of the UNICEF Club prepare your candy-filled eggs.

We have two options available:

1. We can quietly scatter the candy-filled eggs in your Walpole yard in the evening of either Friday, March 29th or Saturday, March 30th.

or

2. We can drop off the bag of candy-filled eggs for you to scatter yourself.

The Google Form (https://forms.gle/neSnD5VzkY8o4Ffh7) is officially open and you can reserve a time slot and place your order for 25 eggs for $25, 50 eggs for $45, or 75 eggs for $65 for one of those days. New this year: you can also purchase golden eggs which will contain small easter toys such as squishies, tattoos, and stickers. Please see the flyer for more information or email the WHS UNICEF Club advisor, Mrs. Vanessa Hackett at vhackett@walpole.k12.ma.us with any questions.

Congratulations to the Walpole Speech and Debate Team for placing 6th out of 40 schools at this past Saturday’s March Merryness Tournament at Needham.

Congratulations to finalists:

Bhakti Belle- 2nd in Dramatic Performance and 6th in Prose Reading

Favor Nyende- 7th in Children’s Lit and 6th in Mixed Duo

Nirjara Akkole- 2nd in Informative Speaking

Kayla Ahern- 2nd in Play Reading

Sara Axelrod and Blanka Lazri- 2nd in Big Questions Debate

Amritha Devaraj- 2nd in Mixed Duo

Mariya Joji- 4th in Impromptu Storytelling and semi-finalist in Impromptu

Spring sports start on Monday! All paperwork and winter uniforms need to be in prior to tryouts.

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