I first want to say thank you to all of the parents that brought treats and helped make yesterday special for our teachers and staff.  The food was yummy and we appreciated your kind words.  It is great having parents involved and helping make this a successful school year.  Several of you have been kind and donated your time throughout this semester and we appreciate it so much.  I look forward to seeing you on campus helping with different events in the spring semester.

The events that occurred last Friday have made all of us stop and take a moment to hug our own children and students tighter. The students and staff never missed a beat yesterday and our day carried on like any other normal day for White Oak Intermediate.  It was comforting to see those smiles, hear the laughter, and see the excitement for the holidays coming from classrooms.

This week our classes will be having their winter parties.  We sent a note home last week asking that if you are planning on attending and have already had your license scanned to return the note so we can preprint your badge for you.  Several of you have done this and we appreciate it.  We hope that this will help with the lines on Friday morning.  If you do not send in a note or if we do not have you in our system you will have to wait in line to have a badge printed.  We apologize for the wait, but appreciate your understanding.  Staff members will be located throughout the building checking for badges.

Thank you for your continued support this school year.  I am looking forward to a great spring semester.

The semester is coming to an end and it has been such a joy to get to work with your students.  White Oak is truly a great place to work and it has been such a blessing to get to know parents, community members, and staff this semester.  Our campus has undergone a lot of change this year.  Third and fourth grade students have done an incredible job of transitioning into a teaming set up.  The teachers are enjoying focusing on just a few core subjects and have already taken this opportunity to enhance their learning in their subjects with professional development.

We are happy to report that Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Johnson are both on the road to recovery.  The community support for these two teachers was overwhelming and was greatly appreciated.  Mrs. Lawrence is still undergoing treatments, but has received great reports from her doctors.  On days she is out Mrs. Crane will work towards being her sub for consistency for the students.  Mrs. Johnson is doing better each day.  She has even come up to the school to begin planning for her return in January.  We are so excited to have her back next semester.  Mrs. Langley has done a fabulous job and we appreciate everything she  has done for our third graders.

As many of you already know Mrs. Smith is retiring at the end of this semester.  She has dedicated over twenty years to White Oak and will be missed.  Courtney Freeman will be recommended to take Mrs. Smith’s place to the board.  Ms. Freeman is very excited to be joining the White Oak family.  She has already been up at the school preparing her classroom and talking with staff.  Once Mrs. Freeman gets set up and gets to know the students we will have an opportunity for you to meet her.  More information will be coming after the winter break.

As the semester comes to an end I do want to stress the importance of your child being at school every day all day.  This is still a grading period and the third six weeks ends next Friday.  Teachers are still teaching lessons, taking grades, and giving assessments.   If your child is sick please make sure to send in a note.

Classroom parties will be next Friday.  If you are sending food it must be prepackaged, this is district wide.  We appreciate your support with this.  If you are planning on attending the party and have already had your license scanned a form will be coming home for you to fill out and return.  We will preprint your badge for you so you do not have to wait in long lines.  Again, we can only do this if you have already had your license scanned and have returned the form that is being sent home.  Third and fourth grade parents can set up at 8:30 next Friday.  Party will begin at 9:00 when students return to class from school activity.  Fifth grade parents can set up at 9:00 in the gym and the party will begin at 9:30.  You are welcome to sign your child out from the class parties.  Each teacher will have a sign out sheet the day of the party.  Please make sure to sign your child out with the teacher before leaving.