Notes from the Head of School

Happy 1st Friday of the school year!

What a busy week we had! I will send a weekly update reviewing the happenings on campus and previewing what is to come.

On Monday, we had welcome back meetings, reviewing the school policies and rules, our technology policies, and reminders about behavior, kindness and how we work together as a community.

Clubs: There are 2 types of clubs at White Oak; those that happen during the school day on Fridays a few times a month on a rotating basis and clubs that happen after school or have meetings at morning and lunch break.

Friday Meeting Options:

*Helping Hands Club- our community service club open to all students, students will decide on fundraisers and collections for area organizations, participate in charity walks, and do acts of kindness for various groups

*Knitting Club- whether you know how to knit or crochet or want to learn, this club provides the opportunity to work on projects with staff who can help!

*Board Games Club- come participate in a new game each time - from chess to dominoes to other classic games, students work on following the rules and learning strategies.

*Quiet Club - some students just need a place to work on their craft - whether it is drawing, writing, or reading, this is the club for you!

*Super Mario Smash Brothers - Mr. Consolatti, our video game guru, says this game is difficult and will require patience while learning something familiar but different. This club will be limited to 9 students willing to listen and learn.

*Drama Club: Students may join the drama club in 2 ways (see the attached flyers) - the cast will run lines and prepare for their performances and the crew will plan and build the set and props. This will become after school as well as the production dates get closer. The Production you ask? A version of Alice in Wonderland! How FUN!!!

Students will rank their Friday club choices on Tuesday and the 1st club meetings will be next Friday.

After School Options:

*Chorus - see the attached information - open to all students

*Dungeons and Dragons - will be on Wednesdays beginning in October - open to high school students - Mr. Girard is the club advisor - students should listen for announcements about signing up

Sports:

*Cross Country is a go - permission slips will go out on Tuesday, with the first practice being next Thursday from 330-5PM.

*Soccer is not confirmed yet - we may not have enough students interested to field a team this fall. If you have not contacted me about your child being interested, please do so right away. This is open to grades 8-12.

Other opportunities:

*Student Council - Student Council elections will be in 2 weeks - Mr. Rodak is the advisor and more information will go out next week to students interested in running for president, vice president, secretary or treasurer.

*Gardening Club: Meets periodically throughout the school year to keep up our amazing garden boxes and greenhouse! Watering, weeding, harvesting and planting are all part of the action. Ms. Ramsden is the advisor. See the amazing pictures below of the bounty this summer has yielded!

*Farm Club/Acts of Hesed Leadership Training - more information coming soon!

*Yearbook Committee - see attached flyer

*We are really excited to have customized homework assignment pages this year to assist all of our students with time management and organization. Mrs. Armstrong will be kicking off our Parent Advisory Group meetings with information regarding these, but look for these to come home daily and contact your child's tutorial teacher with questions.

*All students had the opportunity to get their school-issued Chromebooks this week. Along with these, a user agreement went home that needs to be signed and returned.

*Also, this week, we kicked off our year-long Wolf Pack Project! Students were assigned to 1 of 4 packs. This week, packs were asked to work together to come up with a name, a motto, a logo and complete a photo project. As the year progresses, there will be a number of different challenges for the packs - each playing on different strengths to highlight each pack member's ability to contribute to the group. Pack Points can be awarded in 3 ways: Whole Group Activities-When the pack completes a whole group activity successfully, the pack earns 10 Pack Points.; Whole Pack Participation: When the whole pack participates in other school activities, For example: participates in Spirit Day, attends a basketball game, completes a PE activity, the pack earns 5 Pack Points. The pack leader shows proof of participation; Individual Wolf Rewards: When a member of the pack does something great for the school community. For example: is extra kind, helps someone out, betters the school environment, volunteers extra time, an individual Wolf earns 1 Point.  A nomination form is completed by ANY staff member. At the end of the year, we will see which pack wins!

*Another big focus this year at White Oak will be developing students' writing skills. Both academic and creative writing will be addressed, and students will be encouraged to showcase their writing. Watch for invitations to "coffee house"-type sharing nights, work published in the monthly school newsletter, The Acorn, and more!

*Coming Soon:

-Annual School Picnic on October 8th - watch your email for more information

-Kick off of fundraisers

-The 1st Parent Advisory Group meeting

*Pictures attached to this week's email include: scenes from the garden, Mr. Consolatti's Biology class taking notes from his awesome lecture, and Mr. Rodak's LA class acting out the scene involving the 3 witches in MacBeth. There are also pictures from the 1st Pack meetings and faculty talking about clubs!

I will have so much more to share next week!

Have a wonderful long weekend. We are happy you are here with us in this amazing community!

Jody

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Happy Friday!

*It was a busy week! And finally we had some great weather!

*On Tuesday, I took 2 students to tour ProAmPac here in Westfield. We learned so much about packaging and the manufacturing industry!

*We were so lucky to have our beloved Merlot's son Buoy visit us this week. It was so hard knowing we had lost Merlot but her boy Buoy is a joy! He is energetic and had his 1st day in a school with us! We gave Ms. Chelsie a memorial stone and book in Merlot's memory. We look forward to making great memories with Buoy!

*Mr. Rodak and I were present as Mrs. Armstrong was honored last night at the MAAPS Annual Spring Awards ceremony for her outstanding work as a direct service provider!

*Congrtulations to Senior Ainsley who received an impressive award from Future Lawyers of Springfield for her outstanding mock trial performance. Ainsley also presented at her last Youth Advisory Board breakfast this week, sharing information about the projects her Disabilities Awareness Group completed.

*Do not miss this weekend's performances of Willy Wonka Jr - tonight at 6PM and tomorrow at 2PM in the school gym!

*On Wednesday, May 6th, grades 9-12 will have a presentation from the District Attorney's office called Stop The Swerve. This program addresses the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, and includes:

• A 19-minute documentary that tells the story of two local tragedies that were a result of driving under the influence.
• An Assistant District Attorney who specializes in vehicular homicide cases.

Students will also get to experience some of the dangers involved by participating in hands-on activities including wearing "drunk goggles". You may opt your high school student by emailing me by the end of the day on Tuesday.

*Coming Up:

*We are excited to celebrate our staff next week!

-MCAS for Grades 4 & 6 - Math on Wednesday, May 6th

-MCAS for Grades 5 & 8 - Math on Thursday, May 7th

-Fishing Club Starts May 8th

- Prom - May 9th - at the Carriage House at Storrowtown Tavern

-Science Fair - May 15th - see flyer for details - this is always an amazing event!

-Graduation - Monday, June 1st at 1:30PM- the whole school will attend

Hope to see you at the play!

Have a Great weekend!

Jody

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Happy Friday!

*What a fun Spring Spirit Week! Students and staff had a great time with Disney Day, Sports Team Day, Dress like a Teacher, Anything But a Backpack and Soccer mom vs BBQ Dad. As always, the creativity and spirit was impressive!

*Mr. Consolatti's class experimented with thermal energy this week by using body heat to melt ice.

*On Wednesday, the Hampden County DA's Community Outreach unit spoke to our high school students about the dangers of drug use and abuse. A member of the Addiction Task Force generously shared his experiences with drug abuse that led to devastating effects for himself and his family, but also his road to recovery and how his work helps others. Our students were great participants.

*When we get back from vacation, there is only 1 week left of play rehearsals until the debut of Willy Wonka Jr. on May 1st & 2nd! The cast and crew (along with Mrs. Mercier and Mrs. Williams) are working so hard - do not miss this fabulous performance! Get your tickets by turning in the attached order form or buy them at the door!

*Prom tickets are on sale until May 1st! Open to students in Grades 9-12, it will be a fun evening of dinner, dancing, and a photo booth where students will bring home photo strips of memories! $75 each, cash or checks made payable to White Oak School- see a student council member to purchase!

*The Fishing Club will begin again the week after vacation! See Mr. Gumina for a permission slip.

*I am passing along information about a Family Fishing Festival being held as a memorial for a family member of a former White Oak student. We would love for a group of White Oak community to attend wearing White Oak t-shirts to support this lovely event! See you there!

*We have many great events coming up:

-Willy Wonka Jr. on May 1st & 2nd - get your golden tickets!!

-Prom - May 9th - tickets are on sale now!

-Science Fair - May 15th - see flyer for details - this is always an amazing event!

-Graduation - Monday, June 1st at 1:30PM- formal invites have gone out to families.

Have a wonderful, safe vacation week!

Jody

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