On May 18, 2012, seventeen White Oak 5th graders, accompanied by teachers Nina Peery and Mary Underwood, traveled to LeTourneau University for the Region 7 ESC Robotics Competition. This was the first year for White Oak Intermediate students to compete using the Lego Mindstorm NXT Robotics kits. The competition was called Summer Botlymipcs and was fashioned after the Summer Olympic games. There were two competition boards. One board represented the marathon. Teams programmed their robots to follow a black line using the light sensor. Points were awarded for the number of times their robot completed each quarter circle in one minute. The other board required the teams to program the robot to do various stunts like go up the ramp and “light the flame”, knock over a block in to a designated circle, “kick” the soccer ball in to the goal, knock the pingpong ball against a backboard, and land on the medal platform and say “Game Over.” Various points were awarded for each stunt completed. Of the 148 teams ranging from grade 4 to grade 8, the five teams that represented White Oak Intermediate School placed in the top 50%. Below are the standings:

Kenya 2 placed 7th with 940 points
Kenya 1 placed 38th with 560 points
Bengladesh placed 48th with 475 points
El Salvador placed 73rd with 275 points
Vietnam placed 74th with 265 points

The Smilebox below shows highlights of the day:

This photo slideshow customized with Smilebox

White Oak Intermediate’s own Pam Cranford has been selected to be featured on the nationally known talk show at Classroom 2.0 LIVE today beginning at 11 a.m.  Pam will be presenting on the Web 2.0 tool called Symbaloo. Symbaloo allows you to create web mixes. You can access the live chat by clicking on the graphic above, or by clicking here.

According to the Classroom 2.0 LIVE website, “Classroom 2.0 LIVE is an opportunity to gather with other members of the community in real-time events, complete with audio, chat, desktop sharing, and sometimes even video. You are invited to join us for our weekly Saturday show with co-hosts Peggy George, Kim Caise and Lorna Costantini!”

If you have never participated before, you can watch the tutorial video on the Classroom 2.0 LIVE  site to see how to register and log in.   If you are not available to tune in live, the session will be archived so you can watch at a time that is convenient for you.

The water feature at the Nature Center is very close to completion thanks in part to the hard working faculty and family members who volunteered their time and effort this Saturday, April 21st.  The weather cooperated beautifully while stones were placed, mulch was hauled,  paths were raked, and dirt was shoveled.  It is  just one more reason White Oak is such a great place to raise our families and educate our children!

If you look at the photos below, the answer to that question would be Coach Mary Underwood and Lisa Pullen.  They chose to have pie twice;  BEFORE lunch, even!  The pies were not for eating, but for wearing.  To increase student motivation to get pledges for the Professional Athletes Against Childhood Obesity running program, Coach Underwood promised the top pledge earners they could throw a pie in her face.  She even let them create the pie with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and marshmallows.  Students from the Intermediate campus gathered in the gym on Friday morning, April 20th for the event.  Students at the Primary school were treated to the pie throwing event following their Character Ed Assembly Friday morning.

All students at White Oak Elementary School have been participating in a 8 week running program sponsored by Professional Athletes Against Childhood Obesity.  The culminating event will be held Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Spring Hill’s Panther Stadium.  Registration for our students is for security purposes ONLY.  There is NO FEE for your child to participate in the FUN RUN.  At registration, you and your child will be issued an identifying wristband.  Students will go in the gym to meet with the professional athletes while parents sit in the stands and get ready to cheer their child on to the finish line.  Students will run from the gym around the school and end up entering the stadium to both White Oak and Spring Hill drum line cadences.  They will complete one lap around the track and be grouped by grade level onto the football field.  While on the field, students will participate with the Marine Corp in some fun exercises.  They will then be released to their parent(s) to continue the fun with free give-aways, Chick-Fil-A, Blue Bell icecream, bouncey houses, and much more! Please have your child wear either a White Oak shirt or their black Fight Childhood Obesity (if they purchased one) to the event.  Registration for the Fun Run begins at 7 a.m. until 8 a.m.

Your student also came home with a pledge sheet.  Your child may get family members and friends to pledge any amount for their commitment to the running program.  All donations will be used by White Oak Elementary School to promote healthy lifestyles for our students.  The student in the Primary and Intermedaite School with the most pledges will receive an autographed NFL jersey.  The classroom with the most pledges will get a pizza party.  Pledges are due Monday, March 26, 2012.

Spring Hill is hosting a 5K Run Fundraiser on the same day.  If you are interested in participating, the fee is $25 for adults and $10 for students (14  and under).  The 5k begins at 8:30 a.m. with 5K Awards scheduled for 10 a.m.