The following site offers parents insight into keeping their kids safe on the Internet.  

“Parents – quickly get up to speed with Internet slang. Parenting is a time consuming process. Most parents aren’t as Internet savvy as their teenagers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t keep up to date with the latest Internet trends. Learn how to be part of your child’s world by understanding the slang they use to chat with, text, and tweet.”

www.noslang.com   Click on the Parents Guide for additional information.

November 11, 2010

The following information was placed on the back of your childs’ report card and a copy was sent home with your child.   Thank you for your support of White Oak Middle School.

• 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.
• It’s time again for our Fall Book Fair!  There are many new books and unique items at the fair this year.  Your child will come in during English class to shop.  Many items would make great Christmas stocking stuffers and exchange gifts for friends.  Items may be purchased with cash or checks.  Anyone can come in to shop.  There are cookbooks, posters, crafts, pencils, pens, games, and much more.  All profits from the fair are used to purchase new reading material for our library.  The fair starts Monday, Nov. 16th and ends Friday, Nov. 19th.  Hours are 8 – 11 a.m. and 1 -3 p.m.
• Thanksgiving holiday will be from November 24-26.   We will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 23.Christmas break will be from December 20 through January 3.   Semester exams are scheduled for December 15, 16, 17.   As in the past, high school and middle school will dismiss early each day. 
• Any time 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. 
• 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.
• Friday, December 3:  All-Region Band Tryouts after school at Union Grove.  Contact Mr. Whatley for information.
• The teachers are having an extremely difficult time with students not turning in homework assignments.   If students do not have their assignment on the due date, those assignments will be accepted the next day for a maximum grade of a 70.  After that day, a zero will be recorded in the gradebook and the work will not be accepted.   Tutorials are scheduled each day from 7:45-8:00.  The intent is not to complete all homework assignments but to get assistance with specific questions.    Please refer to our Student Handbook for additional information.   Texas Education Agency states in order to be promoted to grade 9, students enrolled in grade 8 must perform satisfactorily on the mathematics and reading sections of the grade 8 TAKS assessment.  Grades and consequences have been addressed with our students numerous times.  Our goal is for your child to be successful. Each of our staff works to bring this goal to fruition. 
• White Oak High School Graduation is set for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at LeTourneau University’s Belcher Center.
• White Oak Middle School Band Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 14.  Contact Mr. Whatley for more details. (903-291-2060)
• White Oak Middle School Choir Concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 9. Contact Mrs. Vinson for more details. (903-291-2051)
• School picture retakes are scheduled for Tuesday, November 16.