This week we settled into our routines, completed some initial assessments, and had some fun too!
Happy Friday!
This was a quick week of really settling into our routines. Students have completed some initial assessments to gather baseline data, reviewed classroom rules and expectations, and are ready to grow and make progress!
*If you have not returned the back-to-school registration forms to Ms. Alger or pertinent health forms to Ms. Sousa, please do so ASAP. There is also 1 more form coming in the mail that is crucial for updating your child's health records. Please edit it and return it immediately. I apologize for the clerical oversight of it going out with the rest of the forms.
*The students are doing well with storing their cell phones appropriately in designated pockets in the classrooms. We are moving towards being able to meet the requirements of the proposed school cell phone law for next year. I have spoken to many, many school leaders and teachers from schools that have implemented similar policies and the feedback about the positive ways school environments have changed is astounding!
*On that note, I highly urge you to read or listen to The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt if you have not done so. If parents are interested in having a group book discussion, I'd be happy to arrange that.
*Permission slips have gone home with students in Grades 8-12 for Soccer, Cross Country, and Fishing Club. They are due back on Tuesday! If you have any questions, please email Mr. Gumina at ngumina@whiteoakschool.org.
*Today students chose their Friday meeting clubs. The 1st club meeting will be next Friday during 1st period!
*Parents of Seniors - please check your email for important information from Ms. Crowe, our Career Counselor. She has shared important information about transition planning, including a suggested schedule for staying organized and completing the necessary steps for meeting your Senior's goals.
*Only a few pictures to pass along this week. Our garden continues to thrive, Mr. Micks' Culinary Arts classes focused on baking sweet and savory muffins, the art classes are creating their own versions of Polaroid cameras and the gym classes had so much fun learning competitive teamwork!
*Just passing along an opportunity - An Unlikely Story bookshop in Plainville, MA often has really great opportunities to meet authors or hear them speak. I thought some families might be interested in Eoin Colfer - author of Artemis Fowl. Check out an Unlikely Story's website for more information.
*LAST CALL FOR BOSTON CELTICS TICKETS!
Join White Oak at this Pre-season Celtics Game!
Seats are in Sections 308/309 in the upper rows
$65.00 Each
We will meet at the TD Garden.
You will get your tickets the week prior.
Note that this is a holiday weekend and there is no school on Monday :)
Email me at: jmichalski@whiteoakschool.org to reserve your tickets NOW!
Checks should be made payable to: White Oak School
I need payment on Monday
*SAVE THE DATE INFORMATION:
*Annual Open House Family Picnic on Wednesday, October 1st from 4-6pm on the Lawn on campus. This is a wonderful event and opportunity to build strong community ties with other families, educators, and scholars. White Oak will provide an assortment of sandwich platters, lawn games, and music. Please bring your own chairs/blankets and beverages. If any families would like to contribute to the potluck picnic, we are in need of desserts, side dishes, and salads. In case of rain, we have an alternative rain date of October 2nd from 4-6pm. Please RSVP with the number of family members that will be attending and if you would like to donate a side dish or dessert to Mrs. Sutter at asutter@whiteoakschool.org.
* We will be putting together a Family Contact Directory to share with the White Oak community in order for parents to have access to other families should they need to be in contact for any reason. We will only include those families who give us permission to include their phone numbers and emails (no addresses will be shared). Please let Mrs. Sutter know by email if you would like your family to be included on the list by September 14th so we can plan appropriately.
*Our 1st Parent Advisory Meeting of the year will be on campus on October 28th from 9am-10am. We will send a separate email with further details. Please save the date if you would like to attend.
Have a great weekend!
Jody
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It was a busy first 1.5 days filled with new and familiar faces and the presentation of all of the exciting things to come this school year!
Happy 1st Friday of the school year!
It was a great 1.5 days easing back into our schedules. We are so happy to see our returning students and thrilled to welcome our new students! Each week, I will try to send you a wrap up of the events of the week and preview upcoming activities.
*Please check out our new website if you haven't already at www.whiteoakschool.org. It is easy to navigate and has all the information you should need. There are bound to be some snags as we get used to updating the site, so please reach out with anything you see!
*You will notice in some of the pictures below the addition of a big screen TV in the cafeteria! This will be used to provide students with reminders each day as well as be used for presentations.
*Speaking of new additions... we are so fortunate to be the recipients of Ames's Eagle Scout project this summer! Ames and his troop built us a beautiful greenhouse near our garden beds. Be sure to check it out the next time you are on campus. We are excited for a longer growing season and the opportunity for students to take on the responsibilities of upkeep! Thank you so much Ames!
*Students heard about many club and activity opportunities this week. I will summarize them below with the names of the advisors.
Some clubs will meet on designated Fridays DURING the school day. Next week, students will be asked to choose the club they want to participate in. These are:
-Helping Hands: White Oak's community service club - open to all ages - this club organizes fundraisers/drives/local walks/activities for various causes and organizations. They also make holiday cards for our troops and Veterans and partner with area organizations. Advisors: Ms. Rossi and Mrs. Luongo
-Drama Club: Open to all ages - this year's play will be announced next month - we need actors, stage help and set design! This club will meet during Friday meetings but will also have an after school and weekends commitment as the production time gets closer. Advisors: Mrs. Mercier and Mrs. Williams
- American Sign Language: open to all ages - Students will learn basic sign language! Some at-home practice will be needed. Advisors: Mrs. Fuda and 3 Seniors currently taking ASL at HCC
-Writers' Club: open to all ages - this will be a space for writers and illustrators to hone their craft - stories, poems, essays, comic strips....Advisor: Mrs. Rida
-Boardgames Club: Open to all - a different game will be the focus of each meeting - come learn games like chess, checkers, and card games. Advisor: Mr. Girard
- Knitting/Crocheting Club: open to all ages - new and experienced knitters and crocheters are encouraged to join! The advisors will let you know what supplies you need. Advisors: Ms. Capobianco, Ms. Crowe and Mrs. Lynch
-Innovators Club: Open to High School ONLY - come build and explore given various materials to meet goals and use critical thinking and problem solving skills in addition to group communication and cooperation opportunities. Advisors: Mr. Consolatti and Mrs. Armstrong
*Clubs that meet AFTER SCHOOL:
- Dungeons and Dragons - Open to high school students only - Wednesdays from 3:30-5 PM. Advisor: Mr. Girard
- Fishing and Nature Club: Open to Grades 8-12 - Fridays from 330-530PM - fish with Mr. Gumina or explore nature by making observations, foraging, or bird watching with Mrs. Armstrong at Hampden Ponds. Advisors: Mr. Gumina and Mrs. Armstrong
-Chorus: Open to all - Tuesdays from 330-5PM - will NOT meet every week, will perform around the holidays at Armbrook Village, at graduation, for special events, host karaoke nights. Advisor: Mrs. Williams
*Other opportunities to be involved:
-The Acorn school newsletter: all students are encouraged to contribute to the monthly newsletter. This can be news articles, creative writing, photography, or artwork! Advisor: Ms. Crowe
-Gardening Club: this club meets sporadically on good weather days to plant/weed/upkeep the garden boxes and greenhouse. Advisor: Ms. Ramsden
-Yearbook Committee - will meet 1-2 times a month at lunchtime to create the yearbook - photographers/editors/graphic designers needed! Advisor: Mrs. Williams
-Student Council: High school students are encouraged to campaign for the positions of President, VP, Secretary and Treasurer. Elections will be held in the coming weeks. Student Council plans events and fundraisers for the school, including fall fest, dances, and prom. Advisors: Mr. Rodak and Mrs. Kelly
-SheLeads: a Club open to all female-identifying students - build confidence and camaraderie now and for the future! Advisors: Ms. Michalski and Mrs. Kelly with student leaders Lucia and Lauren
*Sports:
-Soccer - open to grades 8-12: practices will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 330 - 5PM - games will also be on those days but pick up times will vary depending on the location of the games. Coaches: Mr. Gumina and Mrs. Rida - there will be an informational meeting and permission slips will go home next week - students should listen for that meeting announcement!
- Cross Country - open to grades 8-12: practices will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 330- 5PM. Students will run 3.1 mile courses through woods and on trails. Meets will also be on Wednesdays - pick up times will vary depending on meet locations. Coach: Mr. Gumina - there will be an informational meeting and permission slips will go home next week - students should listen for that meeting announcement!
Basketball will be offered in the winter and Ultimate Frisbee in the spring for students in Grades 8-12.
* It is not too late to join us!!!
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Sun • Oct 12, 2025 • 7:00 PM
TD Garden, Boston
Join White Oak at this Pre-season Celtics Game!
Seats are in Sections 308/309 in the upper rows
$65.00 Each
We will meet at the TD Garden.
You will get your tickets the week prior.
Note that this is a holiday weekend and there is no school on Monday
Email me at: jmichalski@whiteoakschool.org to reserve your tickets NOW!
Checks should be made payable to: White Oak School
I need payment by September 5th
That is a lot of information for 1.5 days of school! We are looking forward to all of the magic and wonder of the 2025-2026 school year!
Have a great long weekend!
Jody
Last Day of School Activities
Hello for the last time of the 2024-2025 school year!!
We wrapped up our year with an amazing talent show, cleaning and yearbook signing!!
We heard singing, saw ninja skills, a comedy (??) act, a White Oak School rap, Ms. Ortega showed off her Salsa skills and there was some awesome choreography that included a kickline by the Friday duty team!!
A huge thank you to Mrs. Williams and Ryan for putting together a wonderful yearbook - take a look at it when it comes home today! It is so fun to relive all of the events and accomplishments from the school year.
What's next? You will get information about next year's parent packet over the summer, we will launch a new website in a few weeks (stay tuned for the official announcement), and we are looking forward to being able to provide Chromebooks to every student next year (more info to come home this summer!)
Students should be working on their summer reading.
If parents/families are interested, the faculty has summer reading too - here are the variety of titles they have to choose from:
If you read any of these, please let us know - I would love to do a parent book discussion in the fall!
It was such an incredible year. Thank you for all of the love and support from home - it takes a well-knit, collaborative, and enthusiastic community to make it all work well. I am so grateful for each and every one of you as well as for our wonderfully dedicated faculty and staff, and most of all, our daring, brave and hardworking students!
1st day of school is August 28th!
Have a safe, happy, relaxing summer!
Jody
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