The following information was printed on the back of your childs’ report card as well as an additional copy was sent home with your child on Thursday

WOMS/WOHS Twirl/Flag/Drum Major try-outs are scheduled for Saturday, March 12.  Contact Mr. Whatley at [email protected]  for 903-291-2060 for more information.

TAKS Test calendar:  March 1:  7^th grade Writing.   April 4^th :   8^th grade Mathematics, April 5^th :  8th ReadingApril 26:   6^th and 7^th grade Mathematics, April 27:   6^th and 7^th grade Reading   April 28:   8^th Science  April 29:  8^th Social Studies.  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, we will not allow any guests on our campus during the above mentioned testing days.  You may also go online at www.tea.state.tx.us  Student Assessment Division for 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 from 7:45-8:00.  The intent is not to complete all homework assignments but to get assistance with specific questions.    Please refer to our Student Handbook for additional information.   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 grade 8 TAKS assessment.  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. 

All 8^th grade students will receive with their report card a copy of their progress in math and reading in accord with the state’s Student Success Initiative.  This report provides information about your child’s progress in mathematics and reading as it relates to the state-mandated mathematics and reading curriculum.

White Oak ISD is pleased to announce the implementation of 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 new service will allow you to view your student’s attendance, grades, schedule, progress, assignments, and emergency information.  Family Access is a free service and will be available to all parents/guardians with children enrolled in the district.   Please find attached information related to registering for this service.  Additional information may be found on our teachers’ websites.   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.

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 lesson plans and assignments.

Our first middle school track meet of the year will be Thursday, March 3 at Winona.

White Oak High School Graduation is set for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at LeTourneau University’s Belcher Center.

Estimado padre de familia:

 El White Oak ISD está compartiendo con usted la información sobre el distrito y la escuela (plantel) de su hijo como parte de las obligaciones que se requieren bajo la ley federal Que Ningún Niño Se Quede Atrás del 2001 (NCLB por sus siglas en inglés).

 Las Tarjetas de Reporte de NCLB para el estado entero, el distrito escolar y cada una de las escuelas del distrito están ahora disponibles en la página de internet del distrito en este enlace: www.woisd.net

 Las Tarjetas de Reporte de NCLB para el estado entero, todos los distritos escolares, todas las escuelas charter y todas las escuelas del los distritos también están disponibles en la página de internet de NCLB de la Agencia de Educación de Texas en http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=4638&menu_id=798.

 La información de las tarjetas de reporte incluyen:

*   Los resultados de la evaluación del distrito y las escuelas (planteles) en conjunto y por categorías de raza/etnia, género, estatus de discapacidad, estatus migratorio, domino del idioma inglés y desventaja económica muestran las tendencias en los datos de dos años (2007-2008 y 2008-2009) para cada materia y grado evaluados:

*   Por nivel de aptitud/rendimiento,

*   Con una comparación entre los objetivos anuales y el desempeño actual de cada grupo de estudiantes, e

*   Incluyendo el porcentaje de cada grupo de estudiantes no evaluados.

*   Las tasas de graduación para estudiantes de la preparatoria (high school).

*   El rendimiento del distrito escolar y las escuelas respecto a las medidas de “progreso anual adecuado” (AYP por sus siglas en inglés).

*   La cantidad y los nombres de las escuelas de Título I identificadas como en necesidad de mejorar, incluyendo la etapa de mejoramiento y el indicador de Progreso Anual Adecuado no alcanzado por cualquiera de las escuelas que fueron identificadas para mejoramiento.

*   Calificaciones profesionales de los maestros en el distrito y las escuelas incluyendo el porcentaje de maestros trabajando con credenciales provisionales o de emergencia y el porcentaje de clases en el distrito y las escuelas que no son enseñadas por maestros altamente calificados, incluyendo una comparación entre escuelas con bajos o altos índices de pobreza dentro del distrito.

 Si usted tiene dificultad obteniendo esta información del sitio de internet, copias impresas de los informes están disponibles en la oficina central del distrito o a través de la escuela en la oficina del principal. Si usted tiene preguntas acerca de la información, por favor comuníquese con White Oak Middle School.

 Sinceramente,

 Ronnie Hinkle, Principal

White Oak Middle School

White Oak ISD is sharing this information about the district and your child’s campus with you as part of White Oak ISD’s obligations under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB).

NCLB Report Cards for the state as a whole, the district, and each of the district’s campuses are now available on the district’s web site at this link: www.woisd.net

NCLB Report Cards for the state as a whole, all school districts and charter schools, and all campuses are also available on the Texas Education Agency’s NCLB web site at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=4638&menu_id=798.

Information on these report cards includes: • Assessment results for the LEA and campuses in the aggregate and disaggregated by race/ethnicity, gender, disability status, migrant status, English proficiency, and economically disadvantaged showing two-year (2007-2008 and 2008-2009) trend data for each subject and grade tested:

*   by performance level,

*   with a comparison between annual objectives and actual performance for each student group,

*   including the percentage of each group of students not tested.

*   Graduation rates for secondary school students.

*   Performance of school district and campuses on adequate yearly progress (AYP) measures.

*   Number and names of Title I schools identified as in need of improvement, including the stage of improvement and AYP indicator missed by any schools identified for improvement.

*   Professional qualifications of teachers in the LEA and campuses, including the percentage of teachers teaching with emergency or provisional credentials and the percentage of classes in the LEA and campuses that are not taught by highly qualified teachers, including a comparison between high- and low-poverty campuses within the LEA.

If you have difficulty accessing the information from the web site, hard copies of the reports are available at the district central office or through the campus principal’s office. If you have questions about the information, please contact White Oak Middle School.

Sincerely,

Ronnie Hinkle, Principal

White Oak Middle School

 The following information was printed on the back of your childs’ report card as well as an additional copy was sent home 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 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 lesson plans and assignments.

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.

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 from 7:45-8:00.  The intent is not to complete all homework assignments but to get assistance with specific questions.    Please refer to our Student Handbook for additional information.   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 grade 8 TAKS assessment.  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. 

TAKS Test calendar:  March 1:  7^th grade Writing.   April 4^th :   8^th grade Mathematics, April 5^th :  8th ReadingApril 26:   6^th and 7^th grade Mathematics, April 27:   6^th and 7^th grade Reading   April 28:   8^th Science April 29:  8^th Social Studies.  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.

This year, as many as 15,000 students will take part in The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey.  On January 26, students in White Oak Middle and High School will take The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey.   The survey takes about thirty-five minutes and will be administered during enrichment. Survey questions have been carefully designed to draw out student responses as to actual use of tobacco products, current smoking patterns, lifetime smoking history, age of initiation, quitting history, health risks, perceived social norms related to smoking, attitudes and beliefs, and social influences related to tobacco use.   Participation in The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey is completely voluntary.  There will be no adverse consequences—grades or class standing will not be affected in any way whatsoever— for any student choosing not to participate.  Those choosing not to participate are asked to read or work quietly during the administration of the survey. Research design and protocols ensure that participation in The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey is completely anonymous.  There is simply no way that the responses provided by any given student can be traced back to that student.   The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey has two primary objectives.  It serves to inform state and local policy-makers about the extent and nature of the tobacco use problem in Texas schools and provides a statewide standard of comparison for districts conducting local assessments of tobacco use.  Administration of The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey is conducted by the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M University on behalf of the Texas Department of State Health Services.Again, Participation in The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey is completely voluntary.  If you do not wish for your child to participate in this survey, please indicate this on the front of the report card and have your child return it to your child’s teacher, If you have any questions, you may contact our campus representative, Mrs. Seilhan at [email protected] or 903-291-2075.

School will be out Monday, January 17, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Our HS and MS Choirs have partnered with Fast Signs of Longview and are sponsoring this fundraiser in which you can custom order a 1st class Roughneck decal that you can proudly display on your vehicle.  You may order one that will display every sport, club, or organization in which you are involved in with WOISD.  You can pick up an order form from any HS or MS Choir member, or in our campus front office.  Cost is $10 per decal that includes up to 3 sports, or combination of any 3 logos of which you choose.  You can add more logos at $1 additional charge per logo.  You can also add your jersey #’s on the appropriate sport logo without any extra charge.    The deadline for ordering is Monday, Jan. 10^th and payment is due at the time you place your order.  Contact Mrs. Vinson for additional information at 903-291-2051 or [email protected].

White Oak Education Foundation invites you to attend its Chili Supper on Saturday, January 15 in the Secondary School Cafeteria  beginning at 5:30 pm.  Cost is $5.    All proceeds go toward supporting the White Oak Education Foundation.   Music will be provided.  

WOMS/WOHS Twirl/Flag/Drum Major try-outs are scheduled for Saturday, March 12.  Contact Mr. Whatley at [email protected]  for 903-291-2060 for more information.

Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, December 15, White Oak Middle School will administer our semester exams.   Wednesday is a regular day with the exception of our 4th block semester exam.    We will dismiss at the regular time on Wednesday.   On Thursday and Friday, December 16th and 17th, our students will take the remainder of their exams.   Students will be dismissed from school at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday and Friday only.    Students will return to school Monday, January 3.   We hope you have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Next Thursday and Friday, December 16th and 17th, White Oak Middle School will administer Semester Exams.    Students will be dismissed from school at 12:15 p.m. on both days for the Christmas Holidays.   Students will return to school Monday, January 3.   We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The following site offers parents insight into keeping their kids safe on the Internet.  

“Parents – quickly get up to speed with Internet slang. Parenting is a time consuming process. Most parents aren’t as Internet savvy as their teenagers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t keep up to date with the latest Internet trends. Learn how to be part of your child’s world by understanding the slang they use to chat with, text, and tweet.”

www.noslang.com   Click on the Parents Guide for additional information.

November 11, 2010

The following information was placed on the back of your childs’ report card and a copy was sent home with your child.   Thank you for your support of White Oak Middle School.

• 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 lesson plans and assignments.
• It’s time again for our Fall Book Fair!  There are many new books and unique items at the fair this year.  Your child will come in during English class to shop.  Many items would make great Christmas stocking stuffers and exchange gifts for friends.  Items may be purchased with cash or checks.  Anyone can come in to shop.  There are cookbooks, posters, crafts, pencils, pens, games, and much more.  All profits from the fair are used to purchase new reading material for our library.  The fair starts Monday, Nov. 16th and ends Friday, Nov. 19th.  Hours are 8 – 11 a.m. and 1 -3 p.m.
• Thanksgiving holiday will be from November 24-26.   We will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 23.Christmas break will be from December 20 through January 3.   Semester exams are scheduled for December 15, 16, 17.   As in the past, high school and middle school will dismiss early each day. 
• Any time 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. 
• 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.
• Friday, December 3:  All-Region Band Tryouts after school at Union Grove.  Contact Mr. Whatley for 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 from 7:45-8:00.  The intent is not to complete all homework assignments but to get assistance with specific questions.    Please refer to our Student Handbook for additional information.   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 grade 8 TAKS assessment.  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. 
• White Oak High School Graduation is set for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at LeTourneau University’s Belcher Center.
• White Oak Middle School Band Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 14.  Contact Mr. Whatley for more details. (903-291-2060)
• White Oak Middle School Choir Concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 9. Contact Mrs. Vinson for more details. (903-291-2051)
• School picture retakes are scheduled for Tuesday, November 16.

Mr. Kevin McKay, White Oak Middle School Math teacher, is currently working on his Master of Education in Educational Leadership at U.T. Tyler.  He has chosen as his Action Research Project the topic, “Standardized Dress”.  By definition, Standardized Dress is a flexible selection of clothing from which students may choose.

To help Mr. McKay collect and analyze data for his research, White Oak Middle School would like to ask for volunteers from our school community, which includes our students, parents, and staff, to participate in an online survey.

This survey is to ascertain whether parents, students, and staff would support a Standardized Dress policy at White Oak Middle School.  This information is strictly for Mr. McKay’s research project and will be used for his coursework through U.T. Tyler and is not an actual consideration for White Oak Middle School at this time. The survey link below will remain open until next Thursday.

Thank you for your willingness to be a part of this research project for Mr. McKay.

White Oak Band Boosters are creating a band calendar that will feature all levels of band students grades 6 – 12.  When completed the band students will be selling the calendar as a fundraiser for $10 each.  Each band student will be asked to sell 3 calendars as their fundraiser for the fall.  The calendar will feature a different instrument section each month and include candids, full band pictures, and a band birthday list, as well as important school information and contact numbers.  Calendars will be for sale before Thanksgiving and the sale will last 2 weeks.