There are many exciting happenings and lots of learning going on at White Oak Primary School. We are nearing the end of the first six weeks. Our students are reading, writing, and problem solving all day long. I’m sure that they are very tired when they come home at night. Tomorrow night, Chic Fil-A will be hosting a community wide pep-rally at the location on Gilmer Road for our White Oak Roughnecks. Bring your elementary students out to get a glimpse of what White Oak pride and tradition is all about.
Thank you all for coming to our parent orientations. We appreciate your support and hope that you were able to get some questions answered about our different grade level expectations.
Please begin planning for October 10th. It will be a staff development day for teachers, so… students will be out of school.
Keep watching the teacher’s blog pages for important classroom information.
HAPPY FALL!!

The end of the school year is quickly approaching. This has been a wonderful year filled with fun and learning. Our students are CHAMPs in and out of the classroom. Thank you all for your support. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer and I look forward to seeing you all again in August. Today, we will say goodbye to our friend Jan Belcher and wish her well in her retirement. She has been a blessing to our school for the last 17 years. Please note the important dates below:

Thursday, May 26 – early release (11:00)
Friday, May 27 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, early release (11:00)
August 1- new students to pick up registration packets (not existing W.O. students)
August 4 – Registration for ALL students in the gym
August 18 – Meet the Teacher Night

HAPPY SUMMER!

Our Superintendent, Mr. Gilbert, will host an information meeting for the White Oak community on Sunday, April 10, at 3:00. The meeting will be to share current information and issues with regard to the state budget and how it can effect our school system. Please join us! The meeting will be held in the elementary school cafeteria.

Each campus and each school employee has a petition that we plan to deliver to those in Austin that represent our district. The petition is to simply urge our legislators to reject the severe cuts to public school funding that we are hearing about. Please join us in making sure that our voice in heard. We appreciate your help!!

It may just be the end of February but we are already looking at springtime activities at White Oak Primary School. Some important dates to consider are:

March 1st – 4th grade will be taking TAKS writing (so we will have a
quiet day in the elementary building.)

3/9/11 – spring pictures
3/10/11 – Texas Day performance/1st grade (6:00 pm)
3/11/11 – Texas Day performance for primary school (9:30 am)
3/14/11-3/18/11 – SPRING BREAK
4/6/11 – Pre-K Round up

We are looking forward to seeing you! Happy Spring!!!!!!!

Due to the inclement weather; our students are spending more and more time inside in close quarters. Therefore, we have quite a few students that are sick right now. Please help us help your child and others stay well by encouraging hand washing and by keeping them home if they are sick. Some quick guidelines to use on whether your child is “too sick for school” are:
Fever – a child should have a normal temperature (98.6 or under) for 24 hours before returning to school
Vomiting – if your child has vomited 2 or more times in 24 hours – please do not send them to school
Earache – never ignore and consult a physician
Strep Throat – make sure your child is on an antibiotic for 24 hours before they return to school

IF YOUR CHILD GOES TO THE DOCTOR, PLEASE SEND A DOCTOR’S EXCUSE NOTE TO THE SCHOOL.

Valentines Day – parties, Feb. 14th

Reminder – there are many many extra coats and jackets in our lost and found area!

I would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year. We are back in “full swing” at the primary school. Our kindergarten students ar already working on their grandparents day program. This year it will have a Disney theme and be entitled “Be Our Guest.” We have been reviewing our CHAMPs rules and getting re-acquainted with what school looks like and sounds like when it is not the holiday season. We will recognize our awesome school board aT the meeting this coming Monday night. Our students have a video presentation of “What is a Leader?” to present for them. We all appreciate the unselfish leadership of this group of individuals. Please continue checking my blog and the classroom blogs for information of upcoming events.

*There are many many coats in our lost and found area! If your child is missing one; you are welcome to drop by the school and look.

CONGRATULATIONS ALISHA KIMBLEY – WHITE OAK PRIMARY ROTARY TEACHER OF THE MONTH

As we move toward mid-year at White Oak Primary School, there are several events and dates that I am sure you will want to place on your calendar. This year, second grade will be doing a Christmas musical. The title is “Old Man Winter’s Icicle Follies!” As usual, Mrs. Kimbley has every 2nd grade student involved in this musical. The performances will be December 13 at 6:30 pm for parents and December 14 at 9:00 and 1:30 for elementary students. If you remember “Bugz” last year, then you know that this 2nd grade musical will be absolutely amazing.

Students will be dismissed at 11:00 on Tuesday, November 23 for the Thanksgiving holidays and on Friday, December 17 for the winter break. Chistmas parties will be on December 17th prior to dismissal and lunch – about 9:00 am.

THANK YOU TO THE WHITE OAK EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR THE GRANTS THAT WERE AWARDED TO MANY OF OUR TEACHERS. WE APPRECIATE THE DEDICATION YOU CONTINUALLY SHOW TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS AT WHITE OAK ISD. TOGETHER, “WE CAN DO ANYTHING GOOD!”

Have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

I want to express my appreciation to all of the parents that helped make our parent orientation evenings so successful. There are many exciting events for our students in the near future. On Tuesday, October 19th, First Grade will be taking a field trip to the pumpkin patch in Pittsburgh. Parents are welcome to follow the buses and attend this trip. Pre-K will also be taking a short field trip to a pumpkin patch in Gilmer on Oct. 22. The last week of the month is “Red Ribbon Week.” The title this year is, “I Am Me and Drug Free.” During the week, students will be encouraged to participate by wearing the items listed below:
Monday – (Oct. 25) Wear red to show you are drug free – wear as much red as you can
Tuesday – Join the team and don’t sweat drugs – wear sweats and a school or college shirt
Wednesday – Pair up against drugs with Twinkie Day – Dress like a friend or like your teacher
Thursday – Outsmart drugs by using your head – Wear a cap or hat
Friday – Spook out drugs – wear a costume **no masks, props, or “outfits that would not meet the dress code”

PARENT CONFFERENCES ARE SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 26.

Have a Happy Halloween and enjoy this glorous weather. At White Oak Primary, we will cntinue to follow our motto – “I can do anything good!”

Our first six weeks period is coming to an end at White Oak I.S.D. We are moving along very quickly, therefore; we want to make sure that parents are as informed as possible. We feel that you are a vital team member in the education of your child. Grade level “Parent Orientation” meetings are scheduled as follows:
Kindergarten – Thursday, Sept. 23 (5:30-6:30)
First Grade – Tuesday, Sept. 28 (5:00-6:00)
Second Grade – Monday, Sept. 27 (5:30-6:30)

Please join us to meet teachers, hear routines and expectations, and ask questions! All meetings will be held in the elementary cafeteria.