January 8, 2015

• As part of White Oak ISD’s commitment to our district-wide initiative, “The Transformation of Classroom Instruction to a This Century Learner Experience,” the White Oak ISD Board of Trustees has approved a one to one program for the students of White Oak Middle School. What this means for your student in grades six through eight is that he or she will be assigned a new Chromebook for school use and at home throughout the year to help with the learning process. While there are many details still to be worked out before the devices can be distributed to students, we wanted to make parents aware of this exciting change in learning environment. We have a collaborative district and campus team working diligently on creating a successful implementation plan.  Our first parent meeting was Thursday, December 18, at 6:00 P.M. in our middle school library. We had approximately 20 parents in attendance. Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 at 12:00 pm. If you are able to attend, let us know by Monday, January 12 and we will provide lunch. (Contact our secretary, Melissa Norris at 903-291-2055 or email her at [email protected] so we can have a number count for the lunches. If you choose not to have lunch on us, we still encourage you to attend.) Our goal for this short, informative event  is to provide you with an overview of this initiative and answer pressing questions you might have.   If you cannot attend this meeting, we are scheduling another parent meeting on January 20 at 6:00pm. It is extremely important for you to attend one of these meetings as the target date for handing out the Chromebooks are planned for the end of January. We want you to be informed of this exciting change at White Oak Middle School. After this introductory meeting, White Oak Middle School will then plan follow-up parent trainings where you will  bring your student’s device and learn a little about using it and what the management capabilities are.   We want everyone to fully understand what the devices are capable of in the learning process.  We want to thank the school board for their support in this measure and thank you for allowing us to serve your children in White Oak ISD.

• 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.

• 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, January 28, February 25) Also, January 19, February 16, April 3, and May 25 are school holidays. Spring Break is the week of March 9-13.

• White Oak Middle School will be participating in our District UIL Academic competition on January 23 at Waskom. We will leave WOMS at 7:30am and return to the school around 6:00pm. (Times are tentative) If your child has been selected to participate, he/she will bring home additional information.

• Nominations for our Gifted and Talented Program will be accepted from March 16-27. At that time, forms will be available from Mrs. Hamm, Middle School Counselor. Testing will be completed before the end of the spring semester. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact her at 903-291-2032 or [email protected].

• Texas Education Agency state assessment, STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is more rigorous than previous state tests. It contains more test questions at most grade levels. The majority of the STAAR assessments will test material students studied this year. Also, as it was last year, tests will have a time limit. Unless a student is eligible for an accommodation, each student will have four hours to complete each assessment. We have repeatedly spoken with our students about the changes in the state testing and how the test is more rigorous than the previous TAKS test.   Coupled with this test and the increased passing standards, your child must also meet the passing standard in the class in order to be promoted.   8^th grade students who are not successful on the tests will have one additional opportunity before the end of the spring semester (in May) and one last opportunity at the end of June to retest and pass STAAR. 8^th grade students who do not pass STAAR on the second administration, will be required to enroll in summer school to prepare for the 3^rd and final administration of STAAR. If a decision is made not to enroll and successfully complete this requirement, then they will be retained.  If you would like additional information concerning the STAAR test, visit the Texas Education Agency website at www.tea.state.tx.us and click on Testing and Accountability on the left hand side.  Also, you may contact your child’s teacher for more information.  Thank you in advance for your support.

• STAAR Test calendar: March 30: 7^th grade Writing Day 1, March 31: 7^th grade Writing Day 2, 8^th grade Reading; April 20: 8^th grade Mathematics; April 21: 6^th and 7^th grade Mathematics, 8^th Social Studies; April 22: 6^th and 7^th grade Reading, 8^th grade Science. TEA has scheduled the Algebra EOC (End of Course) test for the week of May 4-8. Test security measures will be in place on test days to limit student access to cell phones during testing. It is suggested that students leave cell phones at home on the days of testing. If you choose to allow your child to bring a phone, students must submit their cell phones that are turned off to their test administrators on the day of testing. Cell phones will be placed in an individual zip lock bag and returned to each student as soon as all testing has been completed for the day. You may also go online at www.tea.state.tx.us Student Assessment Division for additional information.