principal

In my mind's eye, I see a school where every child experiences success every day -- a learning community where children are excited to be present and disappointed because the afternoon bell rings.

In this vision, I see groups of children engaged and working together, self-directed, taking responsibility for their own learning. I hear enthusiastic giggles sparked by revelations of understanding. I see hallways busy with traffic, but quiet with respect for the learning that's taking place on the other side of the walls and doors.

I envision classrooms --any given classroom on any given day-- filled with color, exuding a sense of care and regard for children mixed with a passion for learning. I see flow maps and artwork and student writing… word walls, field trip photos and projects on simple machines and dinosaurs and native life.

I see a media center filled with readers, researchers, and storytellers; a computer lab filled with future technicians, graphic artists and mathematicians.

I see teachers and assistants planning, sharing, and celebrating with each other. They are happy and content with their calling and their contribution to that charge. They are, however, unhappy and dissatisfied with mediocrity and they never accept anything less than the best.

I see ceiling rafters framing academic award banners and walkways framed by flowering crepe myrtles. Symbols of excellence in the classroom and in nature.

I see a school where adults appreciate and value each other for who they are more so than for what they do, but it’s also a place where what they do is valued and acknowledged by all. I see parents and visitors being welcomed and feeling welcome.

Lastly, I see relationships among faculty, staff and students manifested in respect and trust and caring. A celebration of life and learning.

How fortunate we all are that the bond referendums passed with such overwhelming support! An exciting time is coming and every member of our school community has the opportunity to offer input and ideas.

As we move into the design phase for our new building and renovation projects we have ample opportunity for shared ideas that will help to create learning and working environments especially designed for our needs. Granted, there are particular requirements relevant to construction issues over which we have little control, however as we go into the design phase, we want to begin thinking about our “spaces” and how we can utilize them as intelligently as possible.

For example, our music teacher has suggested that when expanding the cafeteria seating, why not build in provisions for a small staging area that would enable us to use dining room space as a multipurpose area for small performances or programs. This is a great idea!

As we begin to brainstorm, we need to do so with the understanding that some ideas presented to the architects and design experts may not be feasible for reasons unknown to those of us who are not schooled in that profession. However, if we have our ideas on paper before meeting with these folks, they will then have a full picture of what we need to take our educational program to a higher level and then they can shift into their creative mode and perhaps make things happen for us.

A key point to remember. First and foremost our aim is to take care of our pressing space, health and safety needs based on the proposed bond budgets. However, the details --the finer points that take institutional blueprints and turn them into design plans for wonderful learning environments—that’s where we can make the biggest difference and it won’t cost a penny more.

So… put on those thinking caps. Start talking. And write down every idea that comes to mind that will fulfill our needs as a school. Pass these ideas along to us and let's get rolling.

As the second month of school approaches, we encourage you to help us teach your child responsibility and independence. If you are bringing your child to school in the mornings and have been walking with your child to his/her classroom. We ask that you begin driving up to the drop-off color station, allowing your child to exit the car with the assistance of the school staff member on duty, and watch as your child proudly walks into the school house on their own.

This approach not only teaches your child trust and independence, but it helps minimize safety concerns regarding pedestrian traffic across the parking lots in the mornings. School personnel man duty stations all across the campus and your child can safely and securely walk to his/her classroom without concern.

Partner with us as we encourage your child to become an independent student, responsible and knowledgeable.

Our faculty and staff theme for 2005-2006 school year is combined with the 04-05 theme to read:

Taken from the well known Robert Frost poem, we use the metaphor of the road not taken making positive differences in one's life experiences.

As a school, we’re traveling a road not taken, a journey that we have not experienced before:

Our growth scores are slowly slipping, but

Our commitment to excellence is not.

We’re looking for areas to strengthen.

We’re looking for strengths to capitalize on.

Robert Frost’s road less taken was not the easiest way to get to the destination.

It certainly wasn’t the fastest or the most convenient means of traveling.

However, taking the road less traveled presented new opportunities and experiences

I am proud to acknowledge that White Oak’s Faculty and Staff are not satisfied to accept expected growth,

They are not content with 95% proficiency

They know if we don’t continue to pursue excellence; if we don’t continue to expect the best of every member of our school community, that complacency can creep in and with it, apathy.

I am proud to say that as a school, we continue to find ways to improve.

We continue to explore avenues for change, hence:

Curriculum mapping and collaborative planning;

Energizing the A+ philosophy to stimulate, motivate and excite our students.

It is my belief that this faculty and staff will always travel a road less taken. It’s not in our nature to follow someone else’s path, but rather to forge our own.

Will Rogers once said something to the effect, “even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over by the train if you just sit there.”

White Oak is not in danger of being run over by a train. In my mind, we’re in the conductor’s seat, pulling the whistle chain.

We’re making stops at the right stations:

…seeking assessment tools that will allow us to gauge student growth more authentically;

…utilizing resources and best practice to promote reading as a means of greater achievement;

…seeking ways to take students to higher levels of thinking, all the while keeping them challenged and engaged.

White Oak’s faculty and staff is traveling a road not taken… an adventure into the future with success for all children as the destination.

Here’s to a smooth trip filled with adventure, excitement, and success!