Notes from the Head of School

Happy Friday!

*This week, Mrs. Lynch's OE class had fun with a following directions activity where they built their own snowmen in the warmth of the classroom! Following multi-step directions can be challenging and this class did an awesome job!

*The White Oak Wolfpack wrapped up their basketball season this week. We are sad that they only had 1 home game, but are proud of the way the team came together and worked hard this season! Thank you to the families who provided transportation and support for the team. A HUGE shoutout to Coaches Gumina and Rida who provided positive and unwavering enthusiasm and guidance to the team!

Reminder: Students need to wear sneakers when playing in the gym - whether it is in gym class or during indoor recess at morning break or lunch! We have seen an uptick in injuries when students are playing in slides or Crocs. Students who don't change into sneakers are not allowed to play. Thank you for reinforcing this at home for everyone's safety!

*1st period today, the Student Council officers helped to run the lower school meeting. After the 6th & 7th graders read to their peers, the high school students shared a reading about Martin Luther King Jr. and then facilitated a game of "get to know you" Bingo. The students did a great job, so they were able to end the period with a game of Fishy, Fishy!

*The Student Council is still selling Kindness Grams - for $2 you can send a note and a sweet treat to a classmate, friend or teacher. Make someone's day brighter by purchasing at milk break and lunch. Grams will be delivered on Thursday next week.

We have a lot of exciting things happening next week!

*On Monday, The Springfield Museums on The Go will visit our campus to present a program called Us and Them: Discrimination During the Holocaust and Today to all of our high school students. Through hands-on activities and primary source interpretation, students will be immersed in the experiences of local Holocaust survivors who settled in the Springfield area while examining historic cases of discrimination, identifying upstanders vs. bystanders, and tracking the progression of hate from individual acts of prejudice to genocide. Student have previewed vocabulary and important themes in their classes this week. We are looking forward to this important discussion with our students.

*On Wednesday, Ms. Daley and Mrs. Benjamin will be teaching Hands-Only CPR to all of our students. Students will review what they can and should do in case of medical emergencies and practice the basic life-saving skill of Hands-only CPR on our CPR training manikins. We review this skill each year as part of our partnership with Kev's Foundation who has provided the school with several AED machines.

*Wednesday is our 100th day of school! Let's Celebrate! How? Well, students and staff can dress like they are 100 years old, or wear something that represents 100 items or 100 days of fun and learning! We will have a photo spot set up - so watch for those pics in next week's email!

*Hands-Only CPR training comes during our Heart Health Awareness month! Students who have participated in our online campaign have received their red t-shirts and a stress ball from Mrs. BenjaminWe are asking EVERYONE to wear red next Thursday, February 26th to show support and awareness for heart health!

It's not too late to join!

If you haven’t already, register here:   White Oak Web Page

*Friday, February 13th is a 1PM dismissal before our Winter break from 2/16-2/20!

SAVE THE DATES:

*Luau Dance for Grades 4-7: March 6th, 3:30-5 PM, $10 in the cafeteria hosted by the Student Council officers

*The White Oak Drama Club will present: Willie Wonka on Friday, May 1st with a possible Saturday, May 2nd matinee performance. The cast is hard at work learning their lines at morning break and lunch. Do not miss the opportunity to see this production, complete with song!

* Prom: May 9th, Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield- open to high school students only!

Have a great weekend! Stay warm!

Jody

‍

Happy Friday! What a crazy weather week! It has been many years since we had 2 snow days in a row. I am grateful that communities had the time to dig out from under the extensive amount of snow. Now if this cold weather could go away... But here on campus Semester 2 is heating up!

*Last Friday, Mr. Girard organized an awesome 3v3 basketball tournament with the help of Mr. Fisk and the Junior class! 6 teams played in a double elimination contest that had fans cheering and players giving it their all! Thank you to all who supported this fundraiser for the Junior class!

*We had a much-needed visit from our beloved Bright Spot therapy dog Merlot on Wednesday. Everyone was feeling a little wonky about schedule change day after an extra 2 days off, and Merlot was there to provide comfort and calm!

*Mrs. Mercier's science class completed a project about ecosystems this week. Each student researched a different ecosystem, wrote a paragraph describing the area, including food webs typical of the ecosystem, and built a diorama to display. The class visited my office and presented their information. These projects are really impressive - great job!

*The seniors chose the winners of their gift card raffle this morning - congratulations to Mr. Meier and Mrs. Ricco! Enjoy your winnings!

*Unfortunately, due to a building issue, we need to cancel the home basketball game for Monday, February 2nd. We will let you know if there is a rescheduled date. Thank you!

*Starting on Monday, the Student Council will be selling Kindness Grams at milk break and lunch! For $2 students and staff can send a friend, classmate or teacher a note and a sweet treat to brighten their day! Grams will be delivered on February 12th.

*Save the Dates!

- Luau Dance for Grades 4-7 : March 6th from 3:30-5PM - $10 - more info to come

-Prom : May 9th at Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield

Have a wonderful weekend - stay warm!

Jody

‍

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

‍