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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
This week was packed with exciting activities! Culinary students explored a food service show at the Big E, sampling unique bites like octopus. Mrs. Fuda's class hosted a successful Pajama Day fundraiser, and art students got creative with fort building—no grown-ups allowed! Upcoming events include the White Oak Players' production of "Clue" on May 2 at 7 PM, the Student Council Spring Festival on May 9 with games and a scavenger hunt, and the Enchanted Forest Prom on May 17 for grades 9–12. Tickets for these events are available now—don't miss out! Enjoy the well-deserved break next week before the busy days ahead!
The White Oak Players will present their production of "Clue" on Friday, May 2nd at 7PM in the gym! Please see the ticket order form attached. Ticket orders can be emailed or delivered to Mrs. Williams, Ms. Michalski, or Ms. Alger in the front office. Checks can be made payable to: White Oak School. Your name will be on the list at the door the night of the play. There will be refreshments for sale as well! Come see who dun it! It's guaranteed to be a night of fun and laughs!
The Student Council is hosting a Spring Festival open to all students and their families. An outdoor event, there will be a scavenger hunt, yard games, crafts and refreshments for sale! $12 per person or $25 per family for entry! Tickets will be on sale after April vacation.
An Enchanted Forest Prom is at Storrowtown Tavern on May 17th for Grades 9-12. Tickets are $75 each. Tickets are on sale at milk break and lunch. Checks can be made payable to White Oak School. Students are allowed to bring guests from outside of school. There is a form to be signed available at the ticket table. Tickets need to be purchased by Friday, May 9th!
Have a wonderful, safe and well-deserved break next week! When we return the days are full and the time moves quickly!
Very Best,
Jody
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Updated 10/23/25
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