Serving Bright Students with Language‑Based Learning Disabilities

Notes from the Head of School

Each week, our Head of School, Jody Michalski, sends out an email message to all families highlighting the events of the week, pictures, and information about upcoming events. This is a collection of those messages.

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Happy Friday!

Posted:
January 16, 2026

Wolfpack 1st home basketball game, Pep Squad, White Oak gear and more!

Happy Friday!

*The Wolfpack had their first home basketball game this week - it was a tough loss in front of the home crowd, but exciting to watch all the same! The Pep Squad also made their debut and did an awesome job of cheering on our team! The Wolfpack did win their away game on Tuesday. Nice job team!

Don't miss the rescheduled game from this Wednesday- the game will take place on Tuesday, September 27th at 4PM in the White Oak gym!

*Next Friday, January 23rd, the 11th Grade is hosting a 3 v 3 basketball tournament at 3:30 in the gym. Sign up your team of 3-5 players! The cost is $5 per player, and students, faculty, parents, siblings and friends from outside of school are welcome! (Waivers will need to be signed for all players). There will be a bake sale and a 50/50 raffle as well - come out and support the Junior class! See Mr. Girard or Mr. Fisk to sign up or with any questions.

*Don't forget that this Monday is the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey game! Puck drops at 3:05 against the Penguins, but get there early to see the White Oak chorus sing God Bless America on the ice! Also, 10 lucky students will ride the Fanboni between periods 1 & 2! The flyer is attached!

*The White Oak gear is in and it looks SHARP! Missed your chance to order? We will do another sale in the spring!

*Oh dear! Some beautiful visitors in our field this week.

*Mrs. Benjamin and her PE classes were "jumping into the weekend"!

*I like to pass along opportunities I come across in case someone might be interested!

*The Senior Class is having a Gift Card Tree Fundraiser. There are 2 chances to win a collection of gift cards valued at over $200! Tickets are 1 for $5.00 or 5 for $20. Use this link to order your tickets today! The drawing will be at the end of January.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdn9XoIMApobJaz5tPG2qfSba72XrhqX1_rYzHrco7ccmkzug/viewform?usp=preview

*Remember: NO SCHOOL Monday the 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

* Monday, January 26th is a 1PM dismissal in preparation for semester 2 which starts on Tuesday, January 27th.

Have a great long weekend!

Jody

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Happy Friday!

Posted:
January 9, 2026

Class Activities and More!

Happy New Year & Happy Friday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful break! We are back in the swing of things now here at White Oak.

*It's Floor Hockey season in PE classes. You can see that Alyssa's pup Lady is the real MVP! Our Thunderbirds fans make sure to represent in class with their awesome jerseys!

*Speaking of the Springfield Thunderbirds... Don't miss the chance to join the White Oak crew at the game on Monday, January 19th! Our chorus will take the ice to sing "God Bless America" and 10 lucky students will ride the Fanboni between periods! The flyer is attached - scan the QR code to buy your tickets!

*Mrs. Fuda's class constructed amazing volcanoes in science! Look at these masterpieces. The students had to research a specific volcano, write about it and then construct it. We can not wait for them to explore the science behind eruption and see them blow them up! Nice job class!

*Did you know that Chess is a very popular game here at White Oak? Students can be seen challenging each other at milk break or lunch or even during class meetings! Today, Mr. Consolatti and Mrs. Kelly organized a chess tournament during the sophomore class meeting where the students coached each other (with a side snack of Dunkin' Munchkins). What a great way to end a Friday!

*The 11th grade class is hosting a 3 vs 3 Basketball Tournament on Friday, January 23rd! It is $5.00 Per Person or $15 Per team to enter. There will be a 50/50 Raffle and Bake Sale during the tournament. Listen to morning announcements to register your team. Need a player or 2? Ask your favorite teacher, a classmate or someone at your cafeteria table to join you! You can also ask a family member or friends from outside of school!

*The Senior Class is having a Gift Card Tree Fundraiser. There are 2 chances to win a collection of gift cards valued at over $200! Tickets are 1 for $5.00 or 5 for $20. Use this link to order your tickets today! The drawing will be at the end of January.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdn9XoIMApobJaz5tPG2qfSba72XrhqX1_rYzHrco7ccmkzug/viewform?usp=preview

* Senior Scarlott Shea is in another wonderful drama production at Jaduke Theater later this month! See the dates below and visit their website to get tickets!

* Mrs. Armstrong wanted to share a free 3-day event called The Sensory Journey Summit. It’s an expert symposium focused on how the nervous system and our senses impact the way students learn, move, and interact.

The sessions are designed to help students feel secure and focused by decoding the sensory "why" behind their behavior. While there are 15 sessions in total, I especially recommend:

  • Dr. Ross Greene on using collaborative solutions to help kids meet expectations.
  • Greg Santucci on understanding the "why" behind student behavior signals.
  • Kelly Mahler on Interoception (helping students recognize internal signals like hunger or stress).
  • Kelsie Olds on Proprioception (how movement helps students feel grounded).

Each day’s sessions are free to watch live for 24 hours. If you can’t make the live times, there is an optional "All-Access Pass" available for professional development certificates or long-term access to the recordings.

*If you ordered White Oak clothing, it should be in next week and I will get it distributed as soon as possible! Thank you for your patience!

*There are 2 home basketball games for our White Oak Wolfpack next week! Monday and Wednesday, the team will play in the gym at 4PM. Students are welcome to stay and watch - parents must send permission to Mrs. Ricco at bricco@whiteoakschool.org and let their bus company know. All students need to be picked up at 5PM. Come cheer on the Pack!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jody

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Last Friday of 2025!

Posted:
December 19, 2025

A joyous week of holiday festivities!

Happy Friday!

Can you believe this is my last email of 2025? The beginning of the school year has gone by so quickly!

*Last week, Mrs. Benjamin and her PE classes tried out some Dance, Dance Revolution in the cafeteria- so fun!

*Did you know that Amanda Spear-Purchase, Event and Venue Director for Springfield Symphony Hall, is a White Oak Alumni? I caught her on WWLP's In Focus TV show showing off her OE skills!

*If you follow the Hampden County DA on social media, you'll see our senior Ainsley as part of the Youth Advisory Board leading her group focused on Disabilities Awareness.

*Congratulations to Lucia who made All Western Mass, Class A, Team 2 for soccer! Way to go!

*On Wednesday, Ms. Daley treated us to a fun holiday video skit written and produced by her ELA and OE classes. Santa Vs The Grinch made us giggle and cheer as the students played out an epic battle on screen!

*We had 2 special visitors this week- Mark and Paulina - Class of 2025- stopped by to bring us a holiday card and fill us in on how well they are doing in the Westfield transition program! Everyone was so happy to see them back on campus!

*This week, Senior Domenic attended a very special Westfield School Committee meeting to honor his mother who stepped down after many, many years of service. Domenic spoke in front of the crowd and was quoted on MassLive. We are so proud of him and thankful to his mom who has been an important voice for students and teachers across the community!

*A festive spirit was rampant yesterday for Ugly Sweater day! Who were the contest winners? Lochlin won Ugliest (but who could really think Elf is ugly?!?), Mark won funniest with his Sonic the Hedgehog sweater, Charlie won Most Festive for his reindeer and lights ensemble and Jo won most creative with her homemade tree dress, complete with lights and jingling ornaments!

*Our chorus made their debut with a concert at Armbrook Village yesterday afternoon. They performed 5 holiday songs, including We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Hanukkah, O Hanukkah. In between songs, the students told jokes and read a short history of each tune. At the end of the concert, Alena passed out Origami creations she had prepared for the residents. It was a wonderful event and we look forward to collaborating with Armbrook Village more in the new year! Great job Chorus Director Mrs. Williams and members!

*The Junior class sold and delivered Candy Grams this week. It was a great way to wrap up the week - with deliveries of kindness and smiles!

*We celebrated with a little holiday karaoke today!

*The vocabulary word of the week was ecstatic, as in "We are ecstatic to have 16 days off for break!"

*The Senior Class is having a Gift Card Tree Fundraiser. There are 2 chances to win a collection of gift cards valued at over $200! Tickets are 1 for $5.00 or 5 for $20. Use this link to order your tickets today! The drawing will be at the end of January.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdn9XoIMApobJaz5tPG2qfSba72XrhqX1_rYzHrco7ccmkzug/viewform?usp=preview

*Don't forget to order your Springfield Thunderbirds tickets for the Monday, January 19th matchup! Bring family and friends to watch our chorus take the ice to sing God Bless America. 10 lucky students will get to ride on the Fanboni too! The link to order tickets is attached to this email.

Reminder: School Reopens on Monday, January 5th, 2026!

Finally, to wrap up, I think the new bulletin board created by Mrs. Mercier and helpers says it all - "It's Snow Secret- We're A Great School." Wishing you all a happy, healthy holiday season and a joyous New Year! We will see you in 2026!

Very Best,

Jody

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