Happy Friday White Oak Community!

*Thank you to everyone who attended our wonderful Open House on Wednesday night! The weather was perfect and it was so nice to see everyone on campus. Thank you for supporting Mrs. Fuda's Financial Literacy class's fundraiser as well as the Student Council's 3 point shoot! Both were wonderful successes.

*We had our 1st visit of the year from our favorite Bright Spot therapy dog Merlot this week! Merlot and her mom Chelsea will visit our campus every other Wednesday morning. Merlot joins classes and Tutorials, providing a little extra comfort and calm. Everyone looks forward to seeing Merlot - especially the teachers!

*Reminder for Juniors and Seniors - field trip forms for the Westfield State University field trip are due to Ms. Crowe on Tuesday! See your email for more information. The trip is Tuesday, October 14th.

*Did you hear? We have a vocabulary word of the week! It is presented on the slideshow in the cafeteria each day with an example of how to use it in a sentence. Have you heard these words at home- cattywampus, dillydally, discombobulated? If a student uses the word of the week correctly in a sentence and a teacher emails me, the student wins a Five Guys Voucher for a Free french fry or milkshake with purchase!

*Today we had class meetings. Senior Domenic spoke to students in grades 4-6 about the importance of using assistive technology. Discussions took place about fundraising, field trips and class bonding time! Stay tuned - will there be a cookie dough sale? A movie night? Bingo? A teacher duct taped to the wall???

*Speaking of fundraisers- the senior class is collecting returnable cans and bottles! Please save them and bring them in. The seniors will also be having a tag sale on Saturday, October 25th on the basketball court on campus. This coincides with the All 4 Kids community sale on campus that weekend. The seniors are looking for donations of gently used household items, decor, books, and games. Please email Mrs. Williams at twilliams@whiteoakschool.org or Mrs. Mericer at kmercier@whiteoakschool.org to arrange for drop-off.

*I'm excited to announce a new community activity- a pumpkin decorating contest! Students, families and staff are encouraged to enter. Decorate a pumpkin and bring it into school between Friday, October 23rd  (can be dropped off during Parent conferences that night) and Monday, October 27th. Pumpkins will be displayed in the cafetera starting Monday the 27th and voted on on Friday, 10/31. There will be ribbons for: Most School Spirit, Most Creative, Scariest, and Funniest, You can find lots of ideas on the internet for awesomely decorated pumpkins!

*Once again, Spirit Week will be the last week of October. See the flyer below with the theme days so you can start to plan your outfits!

*Don't forget to register to do the Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passages on December 7th with the White Oak team! Families are welcome to join us! Our team theme will be gingerbread men & women. You can register for the 5K run or the 3K walk. The flyer is attached!

*Reminders:

    -No School on Monday, October 13th for Indigenous Peoples'/Columbus Day

    - No School on Friday, October 24th for Teacher Professional Development Day

Have a great weekend!

Jody

‍

Happy Friday!

*Today we had Student Council elections. Congratulations to President Domenic Maynard, Vice President Thomas Ware, Secretary Lauren Benard, and Treasurer Angelina Meier. We are incredibly proud of all of the students who ran and gave speeches today- you are all amazing and courageous! We are looking forward to seeing what our new officers will do this year.

*Our sports programs are off to a fantastic start! The Cross Country and Soccer teams each had 2 practices this week and are learning skills and teamwork. The Cross Country team will have its first meet next Wednesday at Greylock Glen in Adams, MA. Please refer to the Sports Calendar on our website for all practice/game/meet information!

*Mr. Gumina and Mrs. Armstrong have 11 students in the fishing club starting this afternoon!

*On Tuesday, Eversource will bring their Energy Quest program to White Oak School!  This is a fully interactive technology-based program that transforms students into home-energy investigators. Students explore a home and use visual cues to locate areas where electricity, water, or gas is being used. Upon locating these areas, students interact with a provided tablet to test their knowledge and learn about better energy-conservation methods. All students will have the opportunity to participate over the course of the day.

*Mrs. Mercier's Anatomy & Physiology classes have been playing "Where's the wound?"- a Battleship-type game where students have to use the correct vocabulary terms to narrow down a designated part of the body. Having fun while strengthening their vocabulary skills!

*Next Thursday, September 25th, is Westfield Day at the Big E. All of our students will be provided with a student ticket on Wednesday. These are valid after 2 PM on Thursday. Students will need their own transportation to and from the fair. In order for a student to leave early, a parent needs to contact Mrs. Ricco.  (*This is not a school-sponsored event.)

*The Senior Class is doing a returnable cans drive! Please donate returnable soda cans - there is a barrel in the cafeteria!

*White Oak School will once again be participating in the Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton for Safe Passages. The event is on December 7th, but registration fills up quickly. Please register to join us - all are welcome! We encourage the cross country team to sign up for the 5K fun run while others of us will do the 3K walk!

https://p2p.onecause.com/hcr2025/team/white-oak-school

*Please check out our new website if you have not already! It is wonderful and user friendly!

Save the dates:

*Annual Open House Family Picnic on Wednesday, October 1st from 4-6pm on the Lawn on campus. RSVP to asutter@whiteoakschool.org if you have not done so.

*Parent Advisory Meeting of the year will be on campus on October 28th from 9am-10am. More information to come!

*Friday, November 7th - school picture day! Details and order forms will go home in October.

Have a great weekend!

Jody

‍

Happy Friday!

• We had our 1st Friday club meetings today - students spent 1st Period learning how to play chess, learning how to knit and crochet, working on creative writing and drawing, participating in acting exercises, making cards for our troops overseas, collaborating to meet a challenge, and learning American Sign Language! 
• Mrs. Fuda's science class has been busy with hands-on learning activities, including creating models of Earth's layers. 
• Elections for Student Council Officers will take place next Friday, September 19th. The next week will be full of campaigning! Candidates are reminded to be kind and respectful of their opponents and voters are reminded to listen to everyone's ideas before choosing who they think is best to represent and plan activities for the school. Good luck to all of the candidates - it takes courage to run for office! 
• Mrs. Williams reminded us that September is Suicide Prevention month. She provided bracelets for anyone who wanted one and urged students to remember there is always someone here to listen and they are loved! 
• Soccer, Cross Country and Fishing Club start next week! 

Soccer

‍practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 330-5

Cross Country‍

practices and meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 330-5 - there will be practice on Monday and Wednesday next week. 

The 1st meet will be Wednesday, September 24th at Greylock Glen in Adams, MA

Fishing Club:

Fridays between September 19th and October 24th, weather permitting. Pick-up is at 5:30 PM. All students must have their fishing license by the first outing on Friday, September 19th. Students without a valid license will unfortunately not be able to participate and will be asked to take the bus home.

Parents please be prompt for pick up times!

Please refer to the calendars on the White Oak website for up-to-date schedule and event information! 

Parents of Juniors and Seniors: Ms. Crowe has sent home information about White Oak's collaboration with CRC Vocational Services to provide our students with Pre-Employment Transition Services. Please be sure to complete the consent form as soon as possible so these workshops can begin on October 1st! 

Save the dates: 

• Annual Open House Family Picnic on Wednesday, October 1st from 4-6pm on the Lawn on campus. RSVP to asutter@whiteoakschool.org if you have not done so. 
• Parent Advisory Meeting of the year will be on campus on October 28th from 9am-10am. More information to come! 
• Friday, November 7th - school picture day! Details and order forms will go home in October.

‍

Have a great weekend!

Jody