September

Dear White Oak Families,

We are officially four weeks into the school year, and what a smooth and successful start it has been! Our Warriors have settled into strong routines, procedures, and relationships, and classroom learning is now in full swing. By this point, curriculum should be progressing in all classes, and we are proud of the way our students have begun the year with focus and determination.

As we move into September, please help us reinforce our expectations for all Warriors: arriving daily with their issued student ID (remember—No Ride, No Badge begins 9/2), a fully charged Chromebook and charger, and most importantly, a positive mindset ready to learn and demonstrate our RISE Expectations—Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Empathy. Our students are earning Minga points.

This month will bring exciting academic milestones as each class completes a major grade, project, or curriculum bundle test. Students will also take the nationally normed NWEAMAP assessment, and parents will receive access to results that help identify strengths and skills to be targeted during our daily advisory period with the program IXL.

Beyond academics, September kicks off a season of Warrior spirit! Athletics and clubs are underway, and we look forward to our first Pep Rally and school dance—details for both can be found below. Parenting Partners classes will also begin. Thank you for your continued partnership as we guide our Warriors to RISE UP and make this year one to remember!

Looking forward to the best year yet.

Your Proud Principal🖤💛,

Crystal Mayes

Middle Schools, 7am-2:25pm

6:30 Doors Open

6:50 First Bell

7:00 Tardy Bell

2:25 School Day Ends

8th Graders! Are you interested in earning a College Associate's Degree and a High School Diploma during high school? If so, you might want to save the dates for this Infinity Early College High School recruiting process. All 8th Graders at WOMS will hear about what this non-traditional high school offers on September 19 during 1st Period.

The 100% Accountable Mindset teaches that we are in control of our own story and outcomes. It helps students understand that their success in school and life depends on the choices they make and the actions they take every day. With this mindset, students learn to improve their skills, tackle challenges with a problem-solving attitude, and take responsibility for achieving their goals. Research indicates that students who believe their abilities can improve through effort are more resilient and achieve higher academically. Questions? Talk to one of our counselors, Ms. Wolff or Ms. Garcia.

Each September, Suicide Prevention Month is recognized as a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the tools, resources, and support they need to talk openly about suicide prevention, recognize warning signs, and seek help.

This month: Start a Conversation. Be the Difference.

With one conversation, asking someone how they’re really doing — and being ready to truly listen — can save lives. Because here’s what we know: No one has to face this alone. Help exists. Healing is possible. And all it can take is for one person to start a conversation.

White Oak Theatre is selling T-shirts and Sweatshirts through September 13th. Students can stop by Ms. Mulacek's room, 502, if they would like an order form!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This email is to inform you of an important change affecting student health services in accordance with Texas Senate Bill 12, 89th Texas Legislature, which goes into effect on September 1, 2025. The District must provide parents with written notice of each school health related service offered at the campus their child attends, as well as obtain written parent consent before providing any school health-related services for students during the school day.

Click the link below to submit the parent consent form. Please complete this form as soon as possible to avoid any interruption in health related services provided for your child during the school day.

Our goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students while complying with new state regulations.

Link to submit the form: https://forms.newcaneyisd.org/Forms/ParentConsent

Thank you for your prompt attention and continued support.

The Texas Department of State Health Services requires that all 7th-grade students have the following vaccines.

• Tdap Vaccine- If more than 5 years have passed since the last Tetanus-containing vaccine
• Meningococcal Vaccine

Please ensure that your student's immunization record is up to date no later than the first day of school. You can email your student's immunization record to Nurse Hodgkinson, RN at ahodgkinson@newcaneyisd.org or upload them using the link below

https://forms.newcaneyisd.org/Forms/IncompleteImmunizations

The Gifted & Talented Referral Window is open September 1 – October 3! If you would like to refer a student for GT services, please complete the form here:
https://forms.newcaneyisd.org/Forms/GTReferral

The form opens September 1, 2025

Our Campus Police Officer will be teaching a series of six safety lessons to 6th graders, covering important topics such as recognizing risks, handling peer pressure, understanding bullying and cyberbullying, gang awareness, the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, and setting personal goals for a positive future.

📧White Oak Middle School will utilize Skyward and ParentSquare (replaces Remind) to communicate campus information. Each of these platforms use the email address and/or phone number on file when registration is completed. Staff will use email communication to send grade reports, information about school events, or other communication relative to a class.

Sometimes emails from Skyward end up in spam folders; please allow all emails from Skyward or newcaneyisd.org.

ParentSquare is how parents will receive reminders and other communication regarding events your child is involved in at White Oak. We kindly request that you allow these notifications on your personal device from your child's school. To download the ParentSquare app, go to either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and search for "ParentSquare". Download and install the app on your device.

New Legislation—Personal Communication Devices Prohibited During Instructional Day

The Texas Legislature passed legislation this year that requires school districts to adopt policies

prohibiting students from using personal wireless communication devices on school property
during the instructional day and that designates a secure, out-of-sight area for storage of these
devices.

A personal wireless communication device includes items such as cell phones, text messaging
devices, laptops, and tablets — any device capable of transmitting or receiving data that the
school does not provide for instructional purposes.

New Caney ISD’s policy regarding personal communication devices can be found in the 2025-26
Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.

The district’s updated policy, in accordance with law, is that:

Personal communications devices must remain off or on silent and stored in backpacks throughout the instructional day except before school or after school. Cell phones and other personal communication devices may not be stored on a student’s person. At White Oak, no cell phones will be allowed from 6:30-2:25 PM. As instruction begins at 6:30 AM with clubs, tutoring, and other special events.

Additionally, teachers may collect a personal communication device and turn them in to the
principal’s office if students are not following policy. The principal will then determine whether
to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items.

The use of cell phones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker
rooms or restroom areas while at school or at a school-related or school-sponsored event.

If a student uses a personal communication device without authorization during the school day,
the device may be confiscated by a staff member. The student or parent may pick up the
confiscated cell phone from the principal’s office.

Confiscated personal communication devices that are not retrieved by the student or the student’s
parent will be disposed of after the notice required by law. [See policy FNCE for more
information.]

In limited circumstances and in accordance with law, authorized personnel may search a
student’s personal communication device. [See Searches and policy FNF for more information.]

Also, The district may authorize the use of a personal communication device for the following
reasons:

• To implement an individualized education program (IEP) or for a plan created under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C Section 794) or a similar program or plan;
• With documented need based on a directive from a qualified physician; or
• To comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or as part of the district’s safety protocols.

Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The district is
not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen personal communication devices.

The SMART tag Parent App is now available!

Things you need to know:

• The new mobile Parent App has replaced the Parent Portal (web access). You can no longer access your Parent Portal account.
• SMART Alerts that you received as texts will now be sent as push notifications.
• The Parent App includes new features that let you choose a time setting for bus arrival notifications. You can also sign up to be notified each time you student loads/unloads the bus.

SMART tag ID Cards:

Students will receive their SMART tags from their home campus within 1-2 days after enrollment or the start of school. Students are expected to have their SMART tag ID to board and exit the bus. The first SMART tag ID is free, and replacement cards are $2 for one card or $5 for three cards.

Visit the NCISD Transportation page for more information about SMART tag and Parent App.

Important Transportation Update for Bus Riders

SMARTag Required to Ride Afternoon Buses – No Exceptions

Dear WOMS Families,

As we prepare for the start of the 2025–2026 school year, we want to inform you of a major change regarding student transportation. This year, for safety and security, all students must wear their official SMARTag badge to board the school bus in the afternoon.

No SMARTag = No Bus Ride
Temporary or paper IDs will not be accepted for afternoon bus transportation. This is a districtwide policy designed to ensure student safety and accurate tracking of bus riders.

What’s New This Year

• Students will now have one official SMARTag for both school and transportation use.

• There will no longer be separate school and bus IDs.

Replacement Options
If your child loses or damages their SMARTag, the following options are available:

• board

What Parents Can Do

• Make sure your child wears their SMARTag to school every day.

• Help them keep it safe and secure in their backpack or around their neck.

• Contact the front office if a replacement is needed.

We appreciate your support in keeping our Warriors safe and ensuring a smooth dismissal process!

Proud to be part of New Caney ISD

Email: cmayes@newcaneyisd.org
Website: https://woms.newcaneyisd.org/
Location: 24161 Briar Berry Ln, Porter, TX 77365
Phone: (281) 577-8800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiteOakMS

Instagram: WhiteOakMS
X: @WhiteOak_MS