Februrary

Warrior Families,

February is here, and we’re feeling the LOVE for our Warriors and their learning! 💕 As our curriculum and expectations continue to RISE alongside our RISE UP expectations, it’s more important than ever that students are at school every day they are healthy and come prepared with their fully charged laptops. To keep the excitement going, our Big Rivers Academic Growth Raffle is ON—students who show growth or maintain Masters status will be entered into a special celebration drawing, because we LOVE celebrating hard work and progress!

❤️ Important Dates to Mark on Your Calendar ❤️

💖 Counselors Appreciation Week: February 2–6

💖 Rescheduled 1st Semester Awards: February 6

(Invites were sent if your child is receiving an award.)

💖 SAFT (Stand Alone Field Test from TEA in RLA):

• 6th & 8th Grade only – February 4, 2026 - Closed Campus to Visitors to Maintain Security

💖 Healthy Relationships Week: February 9–13

• Dress-up themed days all week

💖 MOCK STAAR Assessments:

• Reading (6th, 7th, & 8th Grade): February 10, 2026

• Math (6th, 7th, & 8th Grade): March 19, 2026

• 8th Grade Science & Social Studies: March 23–24, 2026

💖 Candy Grams sponsored by Project Warrior delivered February 13, 2026

💖 February Break: February 16–20

💖 TELPAS Listening & Speaking:

• 6th Grade: February 25

• 8th Grade February 27

• 7th Grade: March 4

💖 TELPAS Reading and Writing:

• 6th Grade: March 10

• 7th Grade: March 11

• 8th Grade March 12

🖤💛Warm regards,
Principal Crystal Mayes
White Oak Middle School

Middle Schools, 7am-2:25pm

Everything Is Possible is our 7 Mindset of the month. It helps us understand that we are all capable of extraordinary lives. Everything that exists was once an idea that someone believed was possible, and through that belief it became a reality. Through this mindset, you will learn to envision a wonderful life, expect greatness, and effectively execute the process of making your dreams come true.

Warrior Families,

As most of you are aware, students are required to take the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests. To prepare for the tests, the students will be taking the:

We would like to inform you that students may bring their own headphones to school for testing purposes. Please note that these headphones are to be only used during testing and not for listening to music or other audio at any time. Headphones will be put away once testing is complete, in accordance with school expectations. If your child chooses to bring headphones, the school is not responsible for damage or loss

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a secure and focused testing environment.

SAFT- Stand Alone Field Test: 6th and 8th Grade: February 4, 2026.

MOCK: 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade: Reading, February 10, 2026

6th, 7th, & 8th Grade: Math, March 19, 2026

8th Grade: Science and Social Studies: March 21 and March 22, 2026

Dr. Edith Treviño, also known as “Dr. ET,” is a dynamic storyteller, author, and passionate advocate of language. She will be visiting our campus on February 9th to inspire students, celebrate bilingualism, and encourage our EB learners to show what they know and give their best effort during TELPAS.

The Big Rivers Academic Growth Raffle Contest is ON! Students who JUMP a BAND (for example, going from Approaches to Meets) or maintain their Masters status from the previous year's STAAR test to the current MOCK test, will have their names entered into a drawing for the Big Rivers Academic Growth Celebration that will take place on Wednesday, May 13th. 20 students from each grade level will chosen at random. Students must be in good academic, discipline and attendance standing in order to attend if name is drawn.

✨ Did you know? ✨

Tutoring is available! 📚✏️

👉 If you’re struggling, schedule a session with your teacher for extra support.

👉 Take a look at the campus-wide tutoring schedule for details.

Don’t wait—get the help you need to succeed! 💡💪

Congratulations to the Warriors of the Week from September!

These outstanding students have gone above and beyond by showing RISE Expectations every day:

💛Respect🖤Integrity💛Safety🖤Empathy

We are so proud of the way you represent what it means to be a true Warrior!

📧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.

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.

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!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. As we begin the new semester in January, we want to take time to remind everyone of our expectations and how we work together to keep our campus safe.

Our staff will be reviewing supervision procedures and ensuring all adults on campus are prepared to respond appropriately if a conflict arises. We will also be meeting with students to clearly review behavior expectations and the consequences for fighting or physical altercations during class meetings. These expectations will be reinforced during class meetings so that students understand that our campus is a place for learning, respect, and safety.

We ask for your partnership in talking with your child about making positive choices, resolving conflicts appropriately, and understanding the consequences of misbehavior. When students, families, and staff work together, we create a stronger and safer school community.

We are committed to holding students accountable while also supporting them in making good decisions. Our goal is for every student to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn each day.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make our school and New Caney ISD a safe place for all.

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