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

• 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 blogs, lesson plans and assignments.

• White Oak Middle School will be participating in our District UIL Academic competition on December 11 and 12 at Ore City Middle School. Your child has received information as to the various contests offered and those interested have been practicing for this competition. If your child is selected to participate, he/she will bring home additional 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. The intent is not to complete all homework assignments but to get assistance with specific questions. Please refer to our handbook for further information on grades, report cards, and participation in extracurricular activities. 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 state assessments. 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.

• Please continue to monitor your child’s progress through Family Access by Skyward, Inc. Family Access is a secure Internet based website that will allow you to easily keep track of nearly everything your student(s) does while at school. Among other things, this service allows you to view your student’s attendance, grades, schedule, progress, assignments, and emergency information. Family Access is a free service and is available to all parents/guardians with children enrolled in the district. For additional information related to Skyward, please call Ms. Cowart at 903-291-2085

• 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.

• White Oak ISD has scheduled 4 early release days this year for staff development. On the following days, middle school students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm. Bus transportation will be provided. (September 19, October 17, February 27, April 10)

• White Oak Middle School All-Region Band Tryouts is scheduled for Friday, November 30 after school at Union Grove High School. Contact Mr. Whatley for additional information.(903-291-2060)

• White Oak Middle School Choir Concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 13. Contact Mrs. Vinson for additional information. (903-291-2051)

• White Oak Middle School Band Concert is scheduled for Friday, December 14. Contact Mr. Whatley for additional information.(903-291-2060)

• All White Oak 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 (games, contests, dances, etc) for the next three-week period. An ineligible student may practice or rehearse. After the three-week period, eligibility will be determined.

• White Oak Middle School encourages our students and their families to be involved in extracurricular activities and support the various teams and programs. However, many times students are dropped off for several hours without parent/guardian supervision. It is during these times that problems may arise. Once students enter the gym, stadium, auditorium they must stay inside. Their student ID card (if applicable) allows admittance once per event. The ID card does not allow for in/out privileges. Proper behavior is expected at all events. Please review our handbook and visit with your child about proper conduct at these events.

• Christmas break will be December 24 through January 7. Semester exams are scheduled for December 20 and 21. As in the past, high school and middle school will dismiss early each day.

• 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.

• As a partner in education, the White Oak Independent School District School Nutrition program contributes to a successful academic experience and encourages a lifetime of healthy eating by providing each student with the opportunity to consume meals that are nutritious, appealing, and served by caring professionals in a pleasant environment. You may choose to send money with your child or you may make a deposit to your child’s lunch account online. Please check your child’s account on a regular basis to ensure there is enough money in their account. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Lori Ferguson, Director of WOISD Food Services.