Evan Forte plans on taking a Sarena Gonzalez is looking forward Class of 2019 Freshman English course over the to attending Greenfield Community summer, and he has done a great job College next September. Her career goal Future Plans! taking college courses one at a time is to be involved in family social work through dual enrollment at Holyoke eventually. Currently, Sarena is a Community College throughout his trained Personal Care Assistant, and she Jordan Buzzell looks forward to senior year. In September Evan will would like to continue to build her attending Springfield Technical attend Western New England clientele. Sarena’s vision for herself Community College next fall. She University as a Biomedical includes being able to understand any will first focus on earning an Engineering major. Upon graduation material that is given to her, asking Associate’s degree in Medical from WNEU, he looks forward to a questions freely, and self-advocating for Assisting. Following that career as a Biomedical Engineer. Evan needed help. She anticipates a good life achievement, she plans to find work enjoys doing things with his friends - a small apartment of her own, a good as a Medical Administrative Office and playing on the computer. Evan’s running car, and a dog. Kasie West is Assistant to build medical/health favorite book so far is The Berlin Sarena’s favorite author, and her experience and then begin her Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow. favorite books are The Distance coursework in Nursing at STCC. Between Us, P.S. I Like You, On the Jordan will be working at Rondeau’s Fence, and By Your Side. Dairy Bar ice cream shop all summer. She has several favorite James Harrington hopes to become books to recommend to you: John a police detective, and he is starting at Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, Holyoke Community College next Gabrielle Zevin’s Elsewhere, Sarah September as a criminal justice major. Week’s So B. It, and Harper Lee’s To In five years, he hopes to have a job in a Kill a Mockingbird. crime lab. James enjoys martial arts, playing his guitar, lifting weights, Bevan Carpenter’s summer will songwriting, driving, and watching TV be all about fishing and hopefully and movies. James recommends to us a working in landscaping or at a local Prom 2019! (From left, top row: Evan, book called The Art of Peace by Morihei store. In the fall, he hopes to Bevan, James W., James H., Connor, Eden Ueshiba. continue working part-time while & Izzy. Bottom row: Jordan, Gabi, Tori, attending college classes part-time at Sarena & Becca) Connor Hughes will be attending Holyoke Community College. Mount Wachusett Community College Bevan’s major is Human Services Gabi Gay is presently in pursuit of a next fall to take his core classes, and and he looks forward to helping summer job, and she will be starting then in a year or two he plans to other people as his main life goal. He Administrative Assistant coursework transfer to Anna Maria College to earn a would also like to own his own little at Quinsigamond Community College Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He will shop full of fishing supplies someday next fall. Her career goal is to become then pursue a Master’s degree to and/or do well at a job in an Administrative Assistant or prepare for a career as a psychologist landscaping. Bevan’s favorite author Receptionist in a business office. Gabi and/or social worker. In his spare time, is Edgar Allen Poe, and he especially loves to go horseback riding and Connor enjoys soccer, hockey, video liked The Cask of Amontillado. bowling, and having fun times with her games, reading comics, and shopping. friends is the best! Gabi is a fan and His favorite book is 1984 by George proud owner of J.K. Rowling's’ Harry Orwell. Potter series. Eden Stoops will be camping, Senior Recognition babysitting, and working at Classic Class of 2019 May 17, 2019 Burgers this summer. In the fall, Eden will be attending Bay Path University Continued and will major in Forensic Science. In five years, she hopes to be working in a lab as a forensic scientist. Eden has Izzy Jordan next looks forward to received several scholarships to support attending Holyoke Community her education. In her spare time, Eden College as a Human Services major. enjoys tap dancing, cannon and mortar Izzy wants to work as an advocate for shooting, camping, and babysitting. J.K. people - speaking out for equality Rowling’s Harry Potter series are Eden’s and standing up for social justice, as favorite books. well as travel to meet new people and discover new cultures. Izzy enjoys art, poetry, music, and communicating with others. Favorite authors: Rupi Kaur, Shel Silverstein, Emily Dickinson, and Suzanne Collins. Favorite books: The Hunger Games series, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Giver, and Divergent.

Prom 2019: Eden Stoops with Patrick Lyons

Tori Wiktor loves to dance, and she would like her life to continually pirouette around dancing by becoming a dance instructor. Tori has received Senior Recognition: numerous awards and scholarships for Izzy Jordan & Ashley H-H her talent. She also enjoys trampolines, the Wii, and traveling new places with Rebecca Sevigny would eventually her family. Tori’s favorite authors are like to have her own business that J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, and focuses on working with horses that Percy Jackson, and the best books she have suffered injuries and trauma has read so far are Harry Potter, The and also teaching horseback riding to Lightning Thief, and Catching Fire. disabled riders. She has already learned a lot about her chosen field James Wynne plans to work at Six through her work at Mesa Farm and Flags New England for the summer. In volunteer work at the Therapeutic September, James begins his college Equestrian Center in Holyoke, and coursework at Westfield State she hopes to continue building her University majoring in Movement equestrian skills through Science, with the goal of becoming a apprenticeship. Becca’s hobbies are physical education teacher. James horseback riding, singing, and received a merit scholarship from WSU. drawing. Her dreams for the future James enjoys playing soccer, basketball, are that she would become known and ultimate Frisbee whenever possible. for excellent work with horses and His favorite book is The Great Gatsby by that she also someday has a family of F. Scott Fitzgerald. her own. Student Council News By Mr. Rodak

Thank you to all students who participated in last month’s teacher appreciation assembly, it was a great way to wrap up the school year by saying thank you to a teacher who has made an impact on you. Have a great summer and we look forward to another successful student council next year!

Teacher Appreciation Day

Students of all ages wrote and shared expressions of appreciation for their teachers. At left, Raymond Jontos, Grade 3, recognizes Ms. Ramsden.

Stephanie Leo recognized Mrs. Pliska, who will retire 2018-19 Student Council: later this month. Thank you, Mrs. Pliska, for the Mr. Rodak (Advisor), Zack Nordstrom (President), countless students you’ve taught, tutored, and helped Devon Lee (Treasurer), Evan Forte (Vice President), conquer the MCAS math test! Allison Casten (Secretary) Student Writing Dance Recital: End of an Era By Tori Wiktor

I had my final dance recital on Saturday and Sunday. It went really well because they recognized the seniors who A Royal Family’s danced, but I danced over 13 years! The types of dances I Trouble On the Mountain did were jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, ballet, musical theater, tap, and my own solo. It has been really amazing dancing By Lauren Benard and Paulina Rutkowski with people that I knew since elementary school; I am definitely going to miss all of my dance friends. It’s not going to be the same at all. I had a bunch of amazing opportunities in the past. What I was taught and learned was fantastic. I will never forget my dance teachers and the other people that I met.

Once upon a time, there was a royal family living in the woods in Poland. One spring morning, Queen Sparkly Jojo and Princess Clementine rode their pet unicorn, Twilight. King Thomas and Prince Oliver rode Unicorn George. They went up a rocky mountain to see if they Why We Love our School could find some interesting rocks and see the view from up high. White Oak is Amazing It started getting late, so they decided to ride on their By Amber Currier unicorns back to the castle. As they were riding their White Oak School is amazing. I like how kind the students unicorns, a mountain lion named, Roary Rorason, tried are and caring. It's a very welcoming school to all, no to attack them! matter who the person. Sports are a lot of fun. They keep you busy; they keep you running! At certain times in the day we have more time to spend with our friends and get to talk. If you have a problem adults here listen very well. That's very helpful to get you through the day. White Oak School is like a second home!

They hid in a tree house with a rusty metal gate I’m Glad That I Go to White Oak School surrounding the bottom of the tree. The mountain lion By Stephanie Leo tried to get through the gate and climb up the tree White Oak is an amazing school to go to. You get to go to house. He couldn’t do it because his paws were too furry Armbrook if you are on the Compass Team. Field Day is a and slippery. Roary Rorason decided to go back to his day where you got to spend the whole afternoon doing fun cave for a catnap. The royal family left the tree house games and activities. You get to go on cool , amazing and and quickly tiptoed away from the mountain and back fun field trips with your class. Sometimes you get to have to the castle. sleepovers at the school. Going to Prom is fun because you get to spend the night with your friends. I'm glad that I go After the long journey, they swam in their moat with to White Oak School. their pet dolphin, Dozzy and their pet porpoise, Penelope. They all lived happily ever after. I Love White Oak By Ashley Haislip-Hansberry What makes White Oak School so amazing? The kids here all come from different walks of life and all have some kind of learning challenge. The classes have only 8 kids in a class at one time. The tutorials give us one on one time. Most of all, the teachers give up their snack break or lunch break to help you in class or school work. They care where you end up. They care about you! In other news we had a great time at High Meadows! We Class News are going to have one more class meeting so we can lay down the groundwork out for our trip next year, and to establish the events we want to through for next years Lower School News: fundraisers. We want to once again thank all the parents, We had a great year with all of you. It was such a family, staff, and friends who came out and supported us; pleasure to be your advisors. Thank you all very much we hope to see you all again next year. In the meantime for your good work with the senior citizens at Armbrook Stay Gold! Your friendly neighborhood 10th Grade Advisors: Village. The residents LOVE your visits and can’t wait Mrs. Fuda, Mr. Girard, Mrs. Chalero, & Mr. Welch for you to come back to share stories and treats with them. We wish each one of you the best of all summers! Grade 11 News: See you next September (or maybe in summer school?)! It's been a fantastic year everyone! For those of you Class Advisors: Ms. Rogers & Mrs. Saloio planning on going on the senior trip, we will discuss further details at our June class meeting! We also plan on Grade 7 & 8 News: trying to book our flights for the trip this month and we It’s hard to believe that we are entering our last few will be in touch with you as soon as we have information. weeks of school! On Friday, June 7th we will be having Just a heads up, we will begin collecting raffle prizes at our end of the year pizza party and picnic. We can’t the beginning of next school year for the senior raffle, so wait to be able to celebrate with our amazing classes! keep an eye out this summer! You finally made it, you're Class Advisors: Mr. Schindel & Mrs. Lynch almost officially seniors. We hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing summer! Class Advisors: Mr. Rodak & Ms. Grade 9 News: Gray Congratulations 9th graders for making it through your first year of high school! We surveyed the class to see Grade 12 News: what each of you is planning for the summer and all of The rollercoaster ride of senior year is nearly ended. it sounds so cool!! Spencer is looking forward to going The seniors went to Six Flags New England for their end of to camp and hopes to go to the new Cartoon Network year picnic, (some of them seen in this photo) and graduated hotel that is opening in Pennsylvania. Declan is coming Monday, June 3 in a beautiful, moving ceremony. Then they to summer school and hopes to do many movie will embarked on a 6 day trip to Ridin-Hy Ranch Resort in marathons. Amber is going to work as a CIT at Camp New York state and Niagara Falls. What a wonderful ending! Putnam. She has been a camper there since she was They are a grand group of young people who we will miss little and is very excited to be part of the staff. Emily is dearly. We wish them all the best, and as always, invite them to attending summer school at White Oak and is hoping to come back and visit and tell us of their lives! Class Advisors: work at a horse stable as a paid job. Gavin is planning Mr. McGovern & Mr. Marshall on playing in several one-day football games as part of college recruiting. Jack is going to Vermont to learn how to skull which is rowing with two oars vs. “sweeping” which he does now with 1 oar. Timothy plans to come to summer school and then to hibernate for the rest of the summer. Mick is not sure of his plans but hopes to go to Florida. Evan hopes to go camp- ing in his camper. Bring on the S’mores! Stay safe this summer and we will see you back in the fall as 10th graders! Advisors: Mr. Riley & Mrs. Seyler

Grade 10 News: Aloha Parents and Sophomores! We are closing down the year! Our sophomores have just finished their Math MCAS, and are getting back into the groove of things for their final classes. Shazam! Movie Review By Spencer Carroll

During my April break, I went to the cinemas and got to see Shazam!, DC’s latest movie. “How is it,” you ask? Let’s check it out.

Based on the popular comic book character from DC Comics, the movie is about Billy Batson (played by Asher Angel, Disney Channel’s Andi Mack), an orphaned teenage boy who’s been on the look for his mother ever since he was a little boy and has ran away from many foster homes in the past. He gets taken in by a foster family known as the Vasquez family, but Billy really doesn’t feel like being a part of the group and wants The movie’s direction is also great. The movie has an 80’s nothing to do with them. One day, Billy gets taken to a kids flick vibe that’s similar to The Goonies, Gremlins, dark magical temple hidden in another dimension called and Big, which gives the movie a creative and directorial The Rock of Eternity and there a magical ancient wizard edge. But even though I loved this movie and it’s really named Shazam (played by Djimon Hounsou), the last of good, there are 2 things to be criticized. The first thing is the Council of Seven Wizards grants him as champion, that even though the movie is funny and heartwarming, after the previous champion went mad, and gives him there are times when it can be scary and frightening, his powers. So whenever Billy says “Shazam!”, he turns which mostly come from moments whenever the main into a fully grown adult superhero (played by Zachary antagonist appears. These moments in the movie can be Levi, Chuck and Disney’s Tangled). With the help of his jarring for some people. Second, the final battle in the foster brother and friend Freddy (played by Jack Dylan third act of the movie, while entertaining and lots of fun, Grazer, It), Billy learns what powers he has, how to use does go on for a little too long and drags on a bit. This can them, and how to be a superhero. Because of this, Billy make people ask themselves, “When will this scene be gets lots of attention and fame online, the news, and done?”. On the other hand, there were also so many many civilians. But all this fame and recognition moments that got me excited or bouncy because I was distracts Billy from his friends and instead focuses on really engaged. showing off his powers to the public. However, he starts taking things seriously when an evil physicist named Dr. Final Verdict: To conclude, Shazam! is an endearing, Thaddeus Sivana (played by Mark Strong, Green funny, and all-round fun superhero movie that has a Lantern and Kingsman) is out to look for the champion good amount of heart, the right amount of humor, an with all the powers that he wants to have for himself, engaging story, and a lighthearted charm to it. Even ever since he was a child. Will Billy be able to defeat though it has some tiny issues, it’s still a really good him? movie that won’t disappoint. I would give Shazam! 4 and a half stars out of 5. Enjoy your summer! Content: This is a really fun and enjoyable superhero flick with so much to like and offer. Firstly, the movie knows what it is and what it wants to be. So in a way, it has a sense of identity. As shown countless times in trailers and advertisements, the movie has lots of comedy and jokes, and it’s pretty funny. Although the movie is lighthearted, it has a heart to it and it does have News from the Health Center it’s sentimental moments. The heart and serious stuff By Nurse Henderson help ground the film’s story and characters to make it real without creating any kind of tonal whiplash. The Summer vacation is right around the corner! Yay! Warm weather, film’s heart is a genuine and endearing aspect. long days, staying outside, and of course “freedom” from the reality Whenever a scene is all heart and emotion, it’s done of school work! I could remind everyone to keep hydrated, wear pretty well. There was one scene in the movie that was so sunglasses, use water-resistant sunscreen, don’t forget the insect heartbreaking and sad that I almost started tearing up. It repellent, and maybe even read a book, but I won’t. Instead I would like to wish all of the WOS community a safe and healthy summer hit me where I live! The movie also has some good season. Try not to sleep away your summer time by “sleeping in.” A messages it tells with it’s story like the values of both few days here or there is good but don’t make it a habit! Spend time childhood and adulthood in different ways and how you with family and friends, having fun and making happy memories. should love and respect your family, even if you’re not Listen to upbeat, positive music, dance, play games, run! Make good technically blood-related. use of this precious time! Tessellations Westfield’s 350th!

Talented young artists created the fascinating designs On a bright and beautiful Sunday in May, a small but called tessellations that grace our hallways. A tessellation spirited band of White Oak students, staff, and family is created when a shape is repeated over and over again members marched in the parade to mark the 350th covering a plane without any gaps or overlaps. The anniversary of the founding of the City of Westfield. creators of these works of art include: Allison Casten, Happy Birthday, Westfield! And way to represent, White Davon Lee, Kyle Skora-Thomas, Matt Desaulniers, Kevin Oak! “When I say White, you say Oak!” Brass, Evan Rossignol, DeanFredo-Argiro , Tim Gunnoud, Theeo Case, Nate Ruth, and Irvin Rodriguez.

Helping Hands News By Ms. Rossi

Dear White Oak School Community, the Helping Hands Club would like to thank everyone who supported our various causes this year. We wish everyone a happy summer vacation! Field Day 2019 If this year’s cool and cloudy Field Day had a theme, it might be, ‘team work makes the dream work!’ The event marked the Seniors’ final full day of school, and Senior athletes played a pivotal role on every team. After many hard-fought battles, the Green team was victorious this year. Win or lose, everyone had an awesome time! Ultimate Frisbee This year’s Ultimate Frisbee Team showed grit, tenacity, and sportsmanship throughout a very rainy season. They welcomed new coach, Mr. Consolati, who joined Ms. Daley and Mr. Schindel to lead the team. Thank you coaches, players, alumni, and fans for making this a great year for White Oak’s “ultimate” sport! 2019 Golf Tournament!

May 25th was a picture-perfect day for the annual White Oak Golf Tournament, dinner, and raffle, held this year at the East Mountain Country Club. Thank you to all of those who helped us raise funds for the White Oak Athletic Department! Congratulations to all the raffle winners and to the winning team: Mr. Schindel, Jack Neves (White Oak Alumnus), and Peter Lynch!