October 23, 2014

• 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 12:00 pm. Bus transportation will be provided:  September 17, October 29, (next Wednesday) January 28, February 25.

• 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 requirements are in compliance with the University Interscholastic League (UIL). According to the UIL, “ an individual may participate in League competition or contests as a representative of the participant school he/she attends if that student has been in attendance and has passed the number of courses required by state law and by rules of the State Board of Education, and is passing the number of courses required by state law and by rules of the State Board of Education. “ Eligibility can be maintained by making grades of 70 or above in all academic classes. Since we have ended our 9 week grading period, students NOT PASSING are ineligible to participate in or attend any middle school extracurricular activities (games, contests, etc) for the next three-week grading period. An ineligible student may practice or rehearse. After the three-week period, eligibility will be determined.

• 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, please inform the Transportation Supervisor, Mr. Stagner, of the child’s name, caller’s name (parent/guardian only), 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.

• 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. Please be aware that the posting of your child(s) grades will vary according to the subject area ranging from three (3) days to two (2) weeks determined by the complexity of the assignments. Minor assignments: 1-3 days; Major assignments: 3-5 days; Major writing assignments, major projects: 10 days. Please check your child’s teacher website for additional information.

• We are collecting Box Tops for Education. Please clip your Box Tops and send them with your child.

• E-mail is a great communication tool for both parents/guardians and teachers. If you are interested in receiving e-mail from your child’s teacher, please take time to visit our website. (www.woisd.net) Under Campuses, click Middle and it will take you to our home page. You may click Campus Directory, which will take you to contact information of our staff, teacher blogs, lesson plans and assignments.

• 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.

• Thanksgiving holiday will be from November 26-28. We will dismiss early on Tuesday, November 25. More information to follow.

• White Oak Middle School and High School choirs invite you to the Coffee House Show on November 8 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Admission is $4.00. Contact Ms. Hughes for additional information.(903-291-2051).

• Picture retakes are scheduled for November 12.

• White Oak Middle School will be participating in our District UIL Academic competition on January 23 at Jefferson. Our students have received information as to the various contests offered and those interested are encouraged to sign up for this competition. If your child is selected to participate, he/she will bring home additional information.

• 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. Once they leave, they will not be allowed to re-enter. Proper behavior is expected at all events. Please review our handbook and visit with your child about proper conduct at these events.