Notes from the Head of School

Happy Thursday!

*Our Wolfpack soccer team had a strong finish to the season with a 7-4 win over Buxton here on our own home field! It was an exciting game, a great crowd, and an awesome end to the season. Big thanks to Coaches Gumina and Rida for guiding this young team to success!

*On Wednesday, our Cross Country team ran the course at Four Rivers in Greenfield. All of our competitors got PRs (personal records), with Jo Cestola coming in 6th place for the female runners! The Cross Country championships are next Wednesday at Charlemont!

*Wednesday also marked Wear Orange Against Bullying. We had a great number of participants! So proud of our community!

*We also had some surprise visitors this week - a flock of turkeys in our field!

*The pumpkins for the pumpkin decorating contest are rolling in! I'm just going to give you a sneak peek below... Pumpkins can be painted, embellished or carved. Families can work together, students and teachers can collaborate, or students can design all on their own! Bring your pumpkins in by Wednesday of next week - they will be displayed in the cafeteria and voted on on Friday!

*Pizza, pizza! Mr. Fisk's math classes are learning about fractions and this week they put their skills to good use! The students followed directions to make their own dough and then picked their own toppings. Yummy!!!

Mr. Micks and the Culinary Arts classes also made pizza dough and designed their own pizzas this week!

*This week's vocabulary word was kibosh. Ask your student the meaning. :)

*This weekend! The All 4 Kids Consignment sale is taking place on the White Oak campus - a great opportunity to get kids' clothes in sizes 0-teen. See their Facebook page - or ours- for their hours!

In addition, the Senior Class of 2026 is hosting a tag sale on Saturday from 9-3 on the basketball court! They will have snacks and face painting. Stop by campus this weekend!

*I have been in contact with the Exploring Membership Director for Western Massachusetts Scouting America. They are working to establish Aviation Drone Explorer Air Squadrons in the four Western counties of Western Massachusetts. We would need at least five high school students interested in learning more about Drones and having fun competing against each other. We would also need a parent volunteer. If your student would be interested in this opportunity, please let me know and I will explore it further! Their website is: www.wmascouting.org/exploring.

Next Week:

*Spirit Week!

  -Monday is 1970's Day - known for its bold, individualistic styles, ranging from the carry-over hippie movement to the glam rock and disco eras, we can't wait to see your best 70's dress! Are you ready for disco dancing under the disco ball?

   - Tuesday is Tye Dye Day - Groovy! Returning students should have their shirts from last year's field day.

      -Wednesday is Squad Day- grab a peer or 2 or 3 or more and dress in a theme! You could all wear the same color, be a cast of characters, or parts of a whole. Need an idea? Join our White Oak Wolfpack squad and wear your White Oak sweatshirt or t-shirt!

      - Thursday is Music Icon Day- dress as a music icon or don a concert T-shirt from your favorite artist!

      -Friday is Costume Day - be creative! Please be school appropriate and NO - full face paint, fake weapons of any kind. You may wear a mask for pictures, but they must be taken off in the classroom.

NOTE: About a dozen students will be asked to join us in visiting the residents at Armbrook Village next door for a Halloween parade for their residents! Students will be chosen and announced at morning break and will go to Armbrook from 10:45-11:20 AM. It is a favorite White Oak tradition!

*On Tuesday, October 28th from 9am-10am we will hold our first Parent Advisory Committee Meeting in Building C. This is a wonderful opportunity to brainstorm and exchange ideas in regard to creating greater opportunities and positive experiences for our scholars.  I have learned that we can accomplish amazing things when we pool our talents and resources together as one larger community. I hope that many of you can make it. Please RSVP to Alex Sutter at asutter@whiteoakschool.org by Monday so that we can plan appropriately.  Here is the meeting's agenda:

This year's theme is Social Skills Development

-Greeting and Introductions

-Review last year's goals and accomplishments

-Share ideas for topics that parent would like to focus on this year

-Brainstorm social skill opportunities for students and families

-Fundraising ideas to fund social skill activities

*The 2nd round of Parent Conferences is Wednesday the 29th.

*School picture forms went home this week! Reach out to Dorothy at dalger@whiteoakschool.org with any questions. School pictures are Friday, November 7th.

I hope all of the students have a restful day off tomorrow! Enjoy the weekend!

Jody

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Happy Friday!

Well it was a busy short week here at White Oak School! It always amazes me what we manage to fit in!

*Sunday night a crew ventured into Boston to see the Boston Celtics first preseason game! The team scored a hardy win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Just as exciting, we saw Mark Wahlberg film a scene from his upcoming movie "Weekend Warriors". When the movie comes out, we will be in the crowd! Thank you to the families that braved the rainy weather to join us!

*On Tuesday, Ms. Crowe and Mrs. Kelly took a small group to visit the Westfield State University campus and the renowned Banacos support program.

*Also on Tuesday, the White Oak Wolfpack soccer team traveled to Williamstown for their 1st game of the season. Looking strong, the team dominated with a 4-1 win!

*Don't miss your only chance to see the game at home this coming Tuesday, October 21st at 4PM!

Students who would like to stay to watch must have a ride home at 5:15PM! Please email Mrs. Ricco at bricco@whiteoakschool.org if your student plans to stay and please also notify the bus company! Let's go Wolves!

*Wednesday brought a visit from Merlot the wonderful Bright Spot Therapy pup!

*Next Wednesday, October 22nd is Bullying Prevention Day - we encourage students and staff to wear ORANGE in support!

*Next Thursday through the following Monday also marks the time to bring in your entries for the pumpkin decorating contest!! Entries can be brought to the front office in C Building! They will be displayed in the cafeteria from the 27th- 31st and voting will happen on the 31st!

*Reminders:

-The first round of Parent/Teacher conferences begins Thursday the 23rd. Please email Mrs. Ricco if you are unable to attend your scheduled conferences.

-NO SCHOOL NEXT FRIDAY THE 24TH!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jody

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Happy Friday! What a busy week we've had!

*Mrs. Mercier's Anatomy and Physiology classes have finished their life-size skeletal projects, proudly displayed in the A Building hallway! Great job teams!

*On Tuesday, Mr. Micks arranged for a group of students to attend the PFG Food Centric Show at the MassMutual Center. Students were able to speak to a variety of vendors and sample all sorts of tasty treats!

*On Wednesday, Juniors and Seniors visited STCC with Ms. Crowe and Mrs. Kelly. They toured the different facilities and heard about the programs and support services that this 2 year college offers. Next up? A trip to Westfield State University on Tuesday!

*On Wednesday, our Cross Country team completed their 1st full meet at Eagle Hill. Our runners looked sharp out there as they conquered a hilly course. Awesome job runners!

*5th Period Today brought us another round of club meetings! The Board Game Club learned a version of Dominoes, the Helping Hands Club made signs for their first donation drive, the Innovators Club took apart computers to discover the inner workings, and members of the drama club auditioned for their roles in the upcoming production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!

*Auditions for the play will continue next week - if students want to audition, they should see Ms. Mercier or Mrs. Williams!

* White Oak’s Helping Hands Club and Jordan Sutter are collaborating to collect non-perishable food and personal care donations for the Common Goods Food Pantry in Westfield. Our goal is to collect non-perishable food and personal care products to extend a helping hand to people in the Westfield community.The following items are most needed. There will be orange bins in the cafeteria for the collection of the donated items. Thank you so very much.Non-Perishable Food Items Needed:● Canned Goods (any canned food)● Dry Boxed Items (cereal, pasta, rice, etc.)● Peanut Butter● Juice boxes● Granola barsPersonal Care Products:● Shampoo● Soap● Toothpaste/Brush● Deodorant

REMINDERS:

*Please be sure to read Nurse Sousa's email regarding health protocols. It is cold and flu season and we need your partnership in keeping our students and staff healthy. Please use your best judgement when your child is experiencing cold symptoms before sending them to school. As always, please reach out to Nurse Sousa with any questions!

*This Sunday is the White Oak trip to the Celtics Game. If you signed up, you should have received your tickets via email transfer from me! I will see you there!

*Don't forget to register to do the Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passages on December 7th with the White Oak team! Families are welcome to join us! Our team theme will be gingerbread men & women. You can register for the 5K run or the 3K walk. The flyer is attached!

COMING UP:

*The SheLeads Club will meet for the 1st time next Wednesday 1st period. This club is open to any female-identifying student in grades 8-12. Student leaders Lucia and Lauren will present a different topic each month for discussion, fostering a safe community for empowerment and leadership!

*The White Oak Wolfpack soccer team will have an away game on Tuesday, October 14th! The students will leave school at 1:45 for a 4PM game at Buxton in Williamstown. Please check the Activities calendar on the White Oak website for updates and additional information!

*The Seniors are hosting a tag sale on Saturday, October 25th from 9-3 on the basketball court here on campus. The huge All 4 Kids consignment sale will also take place on campus that weekend. Stop by and support great causes!

*This weekend is a great opportunity to plan your entry in the Pumpkin Decorating Contest! Just 2 more weeks until entries are due - will yours be the scariest? Funniest? Most creative? I can't wait to see the entries!

*I am also attaching the Spirit Week flyer so students can start planning their outfits!

*No School Monday!

Have a wonderful, long weekend!

Jody

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