WOW, what a great week at White Oak Middle School.   Our numbers are up (360), students came to school Monday ready and prepared for the new year.  Our school theme this year is the Golden Rule. ” Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. ”   Mrs. Coones (6th/8th ELA) did some research on the Golden Rule and shared that most societies and religions of the world have a form of the Golden Rule.   The Chinese (“What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do unto others”), Persians (“Do as you would be done by”), Hindu (“The true role of life is to guard and do by the things of others, as they do by their own”) , Buddhist (“One should seek for others, the happiness one desires for one’s self”), Romans (The law imprinted on the hearts of all men, is to love the members of society as themselves”)  and other groups far to numerous to mention.  How can one argue with that!   During our class meetings, we spoke to our kids about us not necessarily having rules but expectations for them.  We have set the bar high this year and expect all students to accept the challenge before them.   We told them, that truly, the only rule will be to, “Do the right thing.”   (What a novel idea!)  We shared with them thoughts on reputation and character and gave them examples.

“Reputation is what you are supposed to be; Character is what you are.”

“Reputation is made in a moment; Character is built in a lifetime.”

“Reputation is what men see; Character is what God sees.”

That was on Monday.  Throughout the week, our young people did not surprise us.   Young men opening doors for young ladies, older students helping our younger students find their way to class;  others stopping and helping students who dropped their supplies in the hallway, and countless other acts of kindness.   Several lost phones were turned into the office and even a check for $100 was brought to the office by a young man who found it in the hallway.   Doing the right thing.

We want them to be a part of something bigger than themselves.  We challenged them to leave WOMS a better place than when they arrived.  If the first week is any indication of the year we will have, we had better hang on!   Everyday will be a GREAT DAY in the Valley of the Roughnecks!