Notes from the Head of School

Happy Thursday!

*Our Wolfpack soccer team had a strong finish to the season with a 7-4 win over Buxton here on our own home field! It was an exciting game, a great crowd, and an awesome end to the season. Big thanks to Coaches Gumina and Rida for guiding this young team to success!

*On Wednesday, our Cross Country team ran the course at Four Rivers in Greenfield. All of our competitors got PRs (personal records), with Jo Cestola coming in 6th place for the female runners! The Cross Country championships are next Wednesday at Charlemont!

*Wednesday also marked Wear Orange Against Bullying. We had a great number of participants! So proud of our community!

*We also had some surprise visitors this week - a flock of turkeys in our field!

*The pumpkins for the pumpkin decorating contest are rolling in! I'm just going to give you a sneak peek below... Pumpkins can be painted, embellished or carved. Families can work together, students and teachers can collaborate, or students can design all on their own! Bring your pumpkins in by Wednesday of next week - they will be displayed in the cafeteria and voted on on Friday!

*Pizza, pizza! Mr. Fisk's math classes are learning about fractions and this week they put their skills to good use! The students followed directions to make their own dough and then picked their own toppings. Yummy!!!

Mr. Micks and the Culinary Arts classes also made pizza dough and designed their own pizzas this week!

*This week's vocabulary word was kibosh. Ask your student the meaning. :)

*This weekend! The All 4 Kids Consignment sale is taking place on the White Oak campus - a great opportunity to get kids' clothes in sizes 0-teen. See their Facebook page - or ours- for their hours!

In addition, the Senior Class of 2026 is hosting a tag sale on Saturday from 9-3 on the basketball court! They will have snacks and face painting. Stop by campus this weekend!

*I have been in contact with the Exploring Membership Director for Western Massachusetts Scouting America. They are working to establish Aviation Drone Explorer Air Squadrons in the four Western counties of Western Massachusetts. We would need at least five high school students interested in learning more about Drones and having fun competing against each other. We would also need a parent volunteer. If your student would be interested in this opportunity, please let me know and I will explore it further! Their website is: www.wmascouting.org/exploring.

Next Week:

*Spirit Week!

  -Monday is 1970's Day - known for its bold, individualistic styles, ranging from the carry-over hippie movement to the glam rock and disco eras, we can't wait to see your best 70's dress! Are you ready for disco dancing under the disco ball?

   - Tuesday is Tye Dye Day - Groovy! Returning students should have their shirts from last year's field day.

      -Wednesday is Squad Day- grab a peer or 2 or 3 or more and dress in a theme! You could all wear the same color, be a cast of characters, or parts of a whole. Need an idea? Join our White Oak Wolfpack squad and wear your White Oak sweatshirt or t-shirt!

      - Thursday is Music Icon Day- dress as a music icon or don a concert T-shirt from your favorite artist!

      -Friday is Costume Day - be creative! Please be school appropriate and NO - full face paint, fake weapons of any kind. You may wear a mask for pictures, but they must be taken off in the classroom.

NOTE: About a dozen students will be asked to join us in visiting the residents at Armbrook Village next door for a Halloween parade for their residents! Students will be chosen and announced at morning break and will go to Armbrook from 10:45-11:20 AM. It is a favorite White Oak tradition!

*On Tuesday, October 28th from 9am-10am we will hold our first Parent Advisory Committee Meeting in Building C. This is a wonderful opportunity to brainstorm and exchange ideas in regard to creating greater opportunities and positive experiences for our scholars.  I have learned that we can accomplish amazing things when we pool our talents and resources together as one larger community. I hope that many of you can make it. Please RSVP to Alex Sutter at asutter@whiteoakschool.org by Monday so that we can plan appropriately.  Here is the meeting's agenda:

This year's theme is Social Skills Development

-Greeting and Introductions

-Review last year's goals and accomplishments

-Share ideas for topics that parent would like to focus on this year

-Brainstorm social skill opportunities for students and families

-Fundraising ideas to fund social skill activities

*The 2nd round of Parent Conferences is Wednesday the 29th.

*School picture forms went home this week! Reach out to Dorothy at dalger@whiteoakschool.org with any questions. School pictures are Friday, November 7th.

I hope all of the students have a restful day off tomorrow! Enjoy the weekend!

Jody

‍