From Mrs. Lori Ferguson, WOISD Director of School Nutrition

Beginning Wednesday, May 11, 2016 there will be no charging for the remainder of the school year. This will allow us time to collect charges before the end of the school year. Please check your child’s balance and make sure charges are paid and that your child has money for each day they are wanting a meal. If your child does not have enough money in their lunch account,  they will be offered the alternate meal. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Ferguson at 903-291-2090 or [email protected]

The “Reach Higher” initiative is First Lady Michelle Obama’s effort to inspire every students in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether through a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.   We invite all students and staff at White Oak Middle School to wear their college shirts on Tuesday, April 26th, to help celebrate National College Signing Day-and the second anniversary of Reach Higher.  Get ready for your future.

Since we did not need to use our bad weather days this year, WOISD will not have school this Monday, April 25.

2015-2016 Yearbooks are on sale again. This is the last opportunity to purchase a 2015-2016 Yearbook. No other books will be available for purchase. This sale ends May 2. Students will receive an order form today with purchasing information. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the high school Journalism Business Department at 903-291-2027.

Second round of STAAR testing will begin the second week in May. Please refer to the following testing schedule:   May 9: 6^th and 7^th grade Mathematics; May 10: 6^th and 7^th grade Reading, May 11: 8^th Science; May 12: 8^th grade Social Studies. 8^th grade students who are not successful on the STAAR tests will have one additional opportunity before the end of the spring semester on May 9 and May 10 and one last opportunity on June 21 and June 22 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. Again, 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. Also, due to the security measures in place on test days, we will not allow any guests on campus. You may also go online at www.tea.state.tx.us Student Assessment Division for additional information.

TEA has scheduled the Algebra EOC (End of Course) test for the week of May 2-6.

Reminder concerning upcoming dates for the WHITE OAK MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS.  Some information is grade specific. You may go to the Roughneck Bands website for more information. (band.wonecks.net)

1. Middle School UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest (8th grade band only) Gladewater High School Auditorium, April 13th or 14th.  Date and time are TBD.  Band Directors will let you know as soon as the UIL Contest Chair releases the schedule.
2. Middle School Solo and Ensemble.  Most 8th, 7th and 6th grade students will be involved, so ask your child if they are.   April 26th starting at 4PM.
3. 6th Grade Band Soundpost Music Contest (and Splash Kingdom day)  Friday, May 13th. Please go to Roughneck Bands website for more information. (band.wonecks.net)
4. Middle School Bands (6th, 7th, and 8th) Spring Concert.  Tuesday, May 17th at 6:30 PM.  The following bands will perform in this order:  6th Grade Band, 7th Grade Band, and 8th Grade Band.
5. Reminder for all students trying out for Majorette, Flag, and Drum Major, those tryouts are scheduled for Saturday, April 16th.

March 24, 2016

• 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 29: 7^th grade Writing and 8^th grade Math; March 30: 8^th grade Reading; May 9: 6^th and 7^th grade Mathematics; May 10: 6^th and 7^th grade Reading, May 11: 8^th Science; May 12: 8^th grade Social Studies. TEA has scheduled the Algebra EOC (End of Course) test for the week of May 2-6. 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. Also, due to the security measures in place on test days, we will not allow any guests on campus. You may also go online at www.tea.state.tx.us Student Assessment Division for additional information.

• Nominations for our Gifted and Talented Program will be accepted from March 14-April 1. Forms are available from Mrs. Van Camp, 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]

• Please 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, if you are having difficulties signing in to Skyward, or if you do not have Internet access and are requesting a hard copy of your child’s progress report/report card for each marking period, please call Ms. Cowart at 903-291-2085 or email her at [email protected].

• Majorette, Flag, and Drum Major tryouts for both Middle School and High School will be on Saturday, April 16th.  Packets will be available from Mr. Steele or Mr. Whatley.  Be sure you read everything in the packet, including meeting dates prior to tryouts.  If you have any questions ,please contact Mr. Steele, Mr. Whatley, Mrs. Jennings, or Michele Richards. (MS Bandhall: 903-291-2060 or Mr. Whatley at [email protected])

• Parents of 8th graders are invited to attend a meeting with Donna Jennings, Director of Student Services at WOHS, on either Monday, April 11, or Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at 6:30pm to learn about current graduation requirements for their students.  She will discuss the development of personal graduation plans for each student under HB5 guidelines, and answer any questions you may have as your student prepares to enter high school. Meetings will be held at White Oak High School in the Lecture Hall.  We encourage the parents of all 8th graders to attend one of these two meetings. Mrs. Jennings will be meeting with the 8^th grade students as well.

• District Track meet will be held on Monday, April 4 (Boys) and Tuesday, April 5     (Girls) after school at Sabine.  Contact your child’s coach for additional information. 

• Spring Band Concert is scheduled for Monday, May 16 (6^th grade and High School) and Tuesday, May 17 (7^th and 8th grade) at  6:30 pm in the auditorium. Contact Mr. Whatley at 903-291-2060 or [email protected] for additional information.

Spring pictures will be taken Thursday, March 24. Your child has received the order form and if you wish to have your child’s picture taken, the form must be completed and returned on Thursday. You may also order online by going to mylifetouch.com and use the picture day ID number on the order form. (You will still need to return the form on picture day).

This is a reminder that White Oak ISD has scheduled 4 early release days this year for staff development. Our next early release day is this Wednesday, February 24. On this day, middle school students will be dismissed at 12:00 pm. Bus transportation will be provided.

Your student has received an order form for a second opportunity to order the 2015-16 White Oak Yearbook. If interested, please complete this form and return it to our school office with your payment. If you prefer to order your yearbook online, please go to www.yearbookordercenter.com, put in order code “1974”, and follow the online prompts to complete your order. This second opportunity runs through Friday, February 12. Thank you for your continued support of White Oak Yearbook. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Journalism Business Department at 903-291-2029.

WOISD has scheduled a Faculty and Staff Professional Development day on Monday, February 8. Students will be out of school on this day. Also, this is a reminder that the next Monday, February 15 is a school holiday. (Presidents’ Day, officially Washington’s Birthday, is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, born on February 22. The holiday is popularly recognized as honoring also Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, and sometimes all the U.S. Presidents.

This coming Monday, January 18 is a school holiday.  (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday honoring the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement to end racial segregation. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is close to January 15, Dr. King’s birthday).

White Oak ISD has scheduled 4 early release days this year for staff development. Our next early release day is Wednesday, January 27. On that day, middle school students will be dismissed at 12:00 pm. Bus transportation will be provided. (Our final early release for staff development will be February 24)