Mr. Kevin McKay, White Oak Middle School Math teacher, is currently working on his Master of Education in Educational Leadership at U.T. Tyler.  He has chosen as his Action Research Project the topic, “Standardized Dress”.  By definition, Standardized Dress is a flexible selection of clothing from which students may choose.

To help Mr. McKay collect and analyze data for his research, White Oak Middle School would like to ask for volunteers from our school community, which includes our students, parents, and staff, to participate in an online survey.

This survey is to ascertain whether parents, students, and staff would support a Standardized Dress policy at White Oak Middle School.  This information is strictly for Mr. McKay’s research project and will be used for his coursework through U.T. Tyler and is not an actual consideration for White Oak Middle School at this time. The survey link below will remain open until next Thursday.

Thank you for your willingness to be a part of this research project for Mr. McKay.

White Oak Band Boosters are creating a band calendar that will feature all levels of band students grades 6 – 12.  When completed the band students will be selling the calendar as a fundraiser for $10 each.  Each band student will be asked to sell 3 calendars as their fundraiser for the fall.  The calendar will feature a different instrument section each month and include candids, full band pictures, and a band birthday list, as well as important school information and contact numbers.  Calendars will be for sale before Thanksgiving and the sale will last 2 weeks.

The following information was printed on the back of your childs’ report card.

• The safety of our students and staff at White Oak Middle School is our top priority.   White Oak Middle School encourages our students and their families to be involved in the lives of their child, even at lunch.   If you wish to eat lunch with your child, please come by the office and sign in.  White Oak Middle School has installed a computerized check in & check out procedure (Drivers License is required) for volunteers, visitors, students, faculty, staff and substitutes.   The system is identical to the system currently used on other campuses.   You will be issued a visitor’s pass and directed to the cafeteria.   After lunch, please come by, sign out and turn in your pass.   If you are bringing your child lunch and plan on not staying, please follow the same procedures.  For additional information concerning visits to our campus, please refer to the student handbook.
• In emergency situations when a student must ride a different bus or be let off at another stop, parents/guardians must call the Transportation Department (903-291-2149) as early in the day as possible.   When calling, inform the office of the child’s name, caller’s name (parent/guardian only) and phone number, reason for change in ridership for that day, and drop off location.  All changes must originate from the child’s parent or legal guardian and include the above information.  A callback may be initiated.  To ensure the safety of our students, notes will not be accepted for this special arrangement.
• Anytime you need to pick up your child early from school, please call or send a note with them.  They are to bring the note to the office as soon as they get to school.  We will then issue an “Early Dismissal Notice” so they can be in the office at the designated time.   For safety reasons, only individuals on your sign out list can pick up your child and you must come in and sign your child out. 
• Please be reminded that the drive in front of the middle school is designated for “Buses Only” from 3:15 to 4:00 pm.  Also, the drive directly behind the middle school is not an authorize area to pick up your student.   When cars are in these areas, there are potential safety issues.  
• All middle school students (whether in extracurricular activities or not) will be held accountable for their grades and will follow the same eligibility requirements as participants.   Eligibility can be maintained by making grades of 70 or above in all academic classes.  Beginning at the end of the first six weeks, if a student’s average in one or more academic classes is below 70 for a six weeks period, that student will be ineligible to participate in or attend any extracurricular activities for the next three-week period.   Students may continue to practice.   After the three-week period, eligibility will be determined.   Disciplinary action will be taken if the above policy is violated.
• All 8^th grade students will receive with their report card a copy of their progress in math and reading in accord with the state’s Student Success Initiative.  This report provides information about your child’s progress in mathematics and reading as it relates to the state-mandated mathematics and reading curriculum.
• October 11 is a student holiday.  Our staff will be involved in scheduled staff development
• October 12 is the date for Fall School pictures.   Students will receive picture packets Friday.
• White Oak Middle School will be conducting scoliosis screenings this fall on 6th grade students to check for abnormal spinal curves.  This is a simple procedure and parents will be notified only if follow-up is necessary.  If you do not wish to have your child screened for religious reasons, you may request an exemption form from the school nurse (903) 291-2059.
• Mr. Kevin McKay, math teacher at White Oak Middle School, is currently working on his Master of Education in Educational Leadership at UT Tyler.  He has chosen as his Action Research Project the topic, “Standardized Dress”.   To help Mr. McKay collect and analyze data for his research, WOMS would like to ask for volunteers from our school community (student, parents, and staff) to complete an online survey.    This information is strictly for Mr. McKay’s research project and will be used for his coursework through UT Tyler.  There will be a link on our middle school page titled “Standardized Dress Survey”.  When the survey is ready, you will be notified through our automated notification system, SchoolMessenger.   Thank you in advance for assisting Mr. McKay with his research project.
• E-mail is a great communication tool for both parents/guardians and teachers.  If you are interested in receiving e-mail from our child’s teacher, please take time to visit our website. (www.woisd.net) Click on the middle school link and search the Middle School Main Menu for links for our campus, including teacher lesson plans and assignments.
• Net Cetera:  Chatting with Kids about being Online is a booklet with useful information about online safety.  A copy has been give to each child.   Please take time to sit down with your child and discuss this very important topic.