Category Archives: Uncategorized
Veterans Dinner
Statement from Mr. Gilbert
Statement from White Oak ISD
In an effort to bring some clarification to the events over the weekend, the district would like to share the following:
- The picture posted last Friday evening is being treated as a terroristic threat against White Oak ISD.
- White Oak Police Department is currently investigating this action and will determine when and if any arrests will be made. The district enjoys a positive working relationship with the WOPD and is working closely with them to bring this matter to its proper conclusion.
- WOPD has sole authority and full discretion to make an arrest. This level of legal authority is not assigned to the district.
- The safety of our students, faculty and staff is, and has always been, the top priority of the leadership of White Oak ISD. This situation is a testament to our commitment to that priority. Action was taken to notify the police immediately and the correct person was identified as the creator of the post. As a result, when our students arrived at school on Tuesday, they were never exposed to the threat posted Friday evening.
I want to once again assure the students, faculty, staff and community of White Oak ISD that your safety is a daily focus of this leadership team. I acknowledge that the lack of detailed information can be frustrating. As a district, we are bound by law to protect the privacy rights of the minors entrusted to our care, even when bad decisions are made and consequences are required.
Finally, I would like to thank you for your overwhelming display of public trust in the White Oak Independent School District. Attendance, district wide, on Tuesday, February 20th was just shy of 95%. The district sees this as a testimony to the commitment we have to protect and educate your children on a daily basis.
Friday, February 16, 2018
On Friday evening, February 16, 2018, a picture was posted on the web that threatened harm to our school system. This threat was taken very seriously and White Oak PD took swift action to investigate the validity of the threat. By mid-morning, Saturday, February 17th, it was determined the threat was not real. Instead, it was a very ill-advised “prank” that led to a heightened level of concern for the District Leadership Team, White Oak PD and many members of the community.
Rest assured that this situation was handled swiftly, thoroughly and with the extreme level of concern merited by the message/picture sent. For those in the community that notified officials to raise this concern, Thank You for your action and level of awareness that allowed this to be handled in the appropriate manner.
Michael Gilbert
White Oak ISD
What a Start!!!
Wow! What start to the year and what a joy it has been! I can’t believe 4 weeks has flown by so quickly. I count my blessings every day I get to spend with the students and faculty here at White Oak High School. I have gotten to know most of the students and they brighten my day on a daily basis. The administration, faculty, parents, students and the community as a whole have made me feel welcome and like a part of the family from the day I began my adventure here. I would like to thank everyone for such a smooth transition and for making me feel at home. I look forward to the many experiences that are to come this year with the students and staff of White Oak High School.
With that being said, please ensure you help your children in these experiences by having them at school whenever possible and on time in the mornings. When students are late, it interrupts the learning of others when they come in and also does not get their day started off in the best possible way. We all understand that there are reasons for students to miss school due to sickness or other unforeseen circumstances, but unless they are running a fever, contagious or unable to control their bodily functions, they still need to be in the learning environment as much as possible.
I would also like to thank each parent for allowing me to be a part of your child’s life on a daily basis. Each child is special and I am so very happy to get to be a part of a village that is planting the seeds and preparing them to grow to be successful in their educational endeavors. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance in the education of your child.
Sincerely,
Matt Folmar
Assistant Principal
White Oak High School
Welcome to WOHS 2017-18
Dear White Oak High School Students and Parents:
It is with great pride and excitement that I write this blog of introduction to you as the newly appointed Assistant Principal at White Oak High School. It is my privilege and honor to join the White Oak School community. I am looking forward to an exciting year getting to know all of the White Oak students and working with you, the parents and community members.
I would like to take the opportunity to tell the White Oak community a little about myself. I began my educational career 9 years ago at Lynn Lucas Middle School in Willis, Texas as a coach and Texas History teacher. I did that for one year before being moved to Willis High School as the a coach and US History teacher. After working at Willis High School for two years I had the opportunity to move closer to my wife’s family in East Texas as well as serve as a head coach for the first time. For the last six years I have been the head softball coach/assistant football coach at Carthage High School. While at Carthage I taught World Geography as well as Professional Communication. I have been married for 10 years to my beautiful wife Jessica and have two children, Shelby who is seven years old, and Brooklyn, who is 4 years old.
Working alongside the educators and community members at White Oak, I will strive everyday to provide a “this century education” for each student who attends our school. I will work to promote a positive school culture and safe learning environment, each day.
I look forward to an incredible year ahead! Go Roughnecks!
My door is always open, please come by and introduce yourself.
Sincerely,
Matt Folmar