Notes from the Head of School

Happy Friday!

*Here are some scenes from last week's snow time fun!

*Mrs. Benjamin's PE classes are splitting their time between required Health & Wellness classes and learning the game of Pickleball! Can you dink while staying out of the kitchen?!?!

*Today in Club Meetings, the Boardgames Club learned a new Spanish card game while the Helping Hands Club created inspirational rock art for a rock garden coming soon to campus! The Drama Club is preparing for their May production by watching the original Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

*The Luau Dance was so much fun! We did the Limbo, Cupid Shuffle, ChaCha Slide and Macarena. There were jump ropes, hula hoops and snacks! Thank you to everyone who came and thank you to the Student Council officers who hosted!

*The Seniors are busy gathering raffle prizes for their big fundraiser on Thursday, March 19th at 6PM! It's time to purchase dinner tickets - information is below. The prize list is coming together and attached to this email - many more prizes will be added before the winners are called on the 19th so join us for all the fun and excitement! The class continues to collect prizes of gift cards, theme baskets and more. Reach out to Mrs. Williams at twilliams@whiteoakschool.org with questions!

*UPCOMING:

*Tuesday, March 24th & Wednesday, March 25th - 10th Grade ELA MCAS testing will take place.

*Saturday, May 9th "Once Upon A Time" Prom - open to grades 9-12 - The Carriage House at Storrowtown Tavern in West Springfield.

*I'm including information about 2 opportunities:

 - There is a Lifeguarding Class being offered for those aged 15+ through the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield.

  - The Westfield Public Schools are looking for adults to volunteer to help run Credit For Life - a financial literacy fair that White Oak's Juniors and Seniors attend every year. If you, are someone you work with, are interested, the information is below!

* This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC with the Massachusetts Association for Approved Private Schools (MAAPS) to meet with lawmakers regarding Special Education funding and federal oversight that could impact schools like White Oak. Among those I met were House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (MA), Rep. Richard Neal (MA), and Rep. Jim McGovern (MA). I was fortunate to be one of the voices for our students and families!

Have a great weekend!

Jody

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