The Lion's Roar

Lion Families,

Hard to believe that this is the final newsletter of the '24-'25 school year. I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to be a part of such an outstanding staff, student body and community. We are fortunate in so many ways here at Oak Hills, and I firmly believe that it starts at home. This year has been filled with remarkable achievements, cherished memories, and invaluable lessons for both our students and our entire school community. I am extremely proud of the dedication and determination that has resulted in success in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and in the lives of so many. I would like to thank all of you for your continued support and partnership throughout the academic year. It has been a tremendous year, and I am thrilled with the progress and achievements that our students have made.

As we prepare to close out the academic year, I want to remind you of a couple of important dates and events that are coming up:

* Semester testing will be held on 5/21 - 5/23. See the testing calendar below for specific class period testing dates.

* End of the year awards assembly is on 5/13. We will have two different assemblies. Our 6th & 7th grade assembly will be at 9:00am on May13th, and the 8th grade assembly will be at 1:00pm on the 13th. If your student is receiving an award, an invitation has been sent home with your student.

* May 5th - 9th is teacher appreciation week. This obviously is a great time for your student to recognize the time, effort, dedication and love that his/her teachers have given over the course of the last 10 months.

I also want to take this opportunity to say that learning doesn't stop when the school year ends. I encourage you to continue to support your child's education over the summer months by engaging in educational activities, reading, and exploring new topics and interests.

Once again, thank you for your support and partnership throughout the academic year. We wish our 8th graders the absolute best as they move on to Lake Creek. They will be greatly missed! I hope it is a safe and enjoyable summer break, and I look forward to welcoming back our 6th and 7th graders in the fall.

Be Lion Bold,

G. Whitehead

MAY DATES

5/5 – 5/9 – Teacher Appreciation Week

5/7 – Nurse’s Appreciation Day

5/8 – 7th/8th Choir Spring Show (Lake Creek Auditorium @ 7 pm)

5/8 – Girls Soccer vs. MJH

5/8 – Boys Soccer @ MJH

5/9 – Big Rivers Water Park Field Trip (Band, Choir, Dance, Theatre)

5/11 – Mother’s Day

5/10 – Theatre - Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (OHJH Café @ 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm)

5/13 – 6th/7th Grade Awards Assembly (Oak Hills Gym @ 9:00am)

5/13 – 8th Grade Awards Assembly (Oak Hills Gym @ 1:00pm)

5/13 – Band Spring Concert (Lake Creek High School Auditorium @ 6:30 pm)

5/14 – Sports Physicals (Lake Creek HS from 3pm-5pm)

5/15 – 8th Celebration Day @ Main Event in The Woodlands

5/16 – 6th Choir Pop Show (Lake Creek Auditorium @ 7 pm)

5/21 – Semester Testing

5/22 – Semester Testing

5/23 – Semester Testing (Last Day of School)

The final week of the semester we will be on an alternate bell schedule on May 21st, 22nd , & 23rd . That final week students may be taking an assessment in one or more classes. These assessments are not semester exams but rather will be incorporated into the average of the 4th 9 weeks grading cycle. We know that some may not be here the last week of school. In the event your student will not be able to complete his/her assessment at the regularly scheduled time, we can set up an alternate time for the test to be taken. To schedule this, you will need to contact your student’s grade level counselor, and they will take care of making sure that your student has the opportunity to make up any tests that are missed.

6th Grade Counselor – Amber Pryor (amber.pryor@misd.org)

7th Grade Counselor – Renee Sorrell (renee.sorrell@misd.org)

8th Grade Counselor – Nacole Morgan (nacole.morgan@misd.org)

Teaching is a Work of Heart! Join us this week in expressing appreciation for our wonderful Lion Teachers! These exceptional men and women go above and beyond, pouring into our students love, knowledge, and inspiration. #LoveOurLionTeachers #TeacherAppreciationWeek2025

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.” —Carl Jung

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This is an appropriate ending for the school year, since we began with wisdom (finding out what needs to be done and doing it). The difference between “finding out” and “seeing” is subtle. But important.

When students are able to see for themselves a problem that needs to be solved, a relationship that needs repair, or a need that needs to be met, that is a huge first step in taking the initiative to move forward. In this busy time of testing, wrap ups, and send offs, how can your family be intentional about taking initiative when you see something that needs to be done? This might be acknowledging a simple chore or the completion of a requirement as what it is—taking initiative.

After this month, you can begin taking initiative on another important task— planning and enjoying time together over the summer!

Questions to consider:

• When do you take initiative? When do you let others take the lead? What do you think is the difference?

• In what ways would you like your family members to take more initiative around the house or in your family’s structure? How can you communicate that?

Questions to ask your student:

• Who do you know that takes initiative? What examples do you have of them taking initiative?

• How can you be encouraged to take initiative more often?

• How can I/we encourage initiative without sounding like we are “nagging”?

Hello Lions!

As we approach the end of the school year, we have a few important reminders from the clinic:

Medication Pick-Up:
Please arrange to pick up your student’s medications before the last day of school.
We do not store medications over the summer, and students are not permitted to transport or pick up medications themselves.

Attention 7th Grade Parents:
Per Texas State Immunization Law, all incoming 7th graders are required to have:

• A Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine within the last 5 years

• A Meningococcal vaccine

Students cannot be enrolled without current immunization records.

Important Notes:

• If your student has a vaccine exemption, the original notarized affidavit must be submitted to the clinic—copies are not accepted.

• All medications, including over-the-counter ones, require a doctor’s signature each school year due to recent changes in Texas nursing regulations.

• Health condition paperwork and action plans must be updated annually. These do not carry over year to year. Documentation is needed to ensure conditions are noted in your student’s profile for staff awareness in Skyward.

Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy and safe.

Have a great summer !

— Nurse James & Mrs. Bailey

MISD will offer Summer Camps throughout the summer!

Click Here To Learn More

To view the MISD Attendance Policy and Frequently Asked Questions click HERE

Here are a few tips to consider:

● Have your student arrive at school on time and attend every class period, especially the official attendance-taking period (9:15 AM JH and HS).

● A student who is tardy to class will be subject to the consequences established at each campus in accordance with the possible consequences in the MISD Student Code of Conduct.

● What happens if your student needs to see a doctor/dentist/therapist? If possible, we encourage you to schedule appointments outside of school hours. Obtain and submit a medical note for documentation to provide to your student’s Campus Attendance Specialist. Documentation is needed so the absence will be coded correctly.

● When you receive an absence notification, please follow up with your student and the campus attendance specialist. If you have documentation for your student’s absence, please submit as early as possible (it is recommended to submit within 48 hours). If you believe a teacher has marked a student incorrectly, please have your student reach out to the teacher of the marked period.

Oak Hills Attendance Specialist:

Mrs. Vanessa Villarreal

Email: OHJHattendance@misd.org

Phone: (936)276-4315

Fax: (936)276-4323

Gifford Whitehead, Principal

Preston Clark, Assistant Principal (L-Z)

Amy Gollogly, Assistant Principal (A-K)

Website: https://oakhillsjh.misd.org/
Location: 19190 Keenan Cut Off Road, Montgomery, TX, USA
Phone: 936-276-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakhillsjuniorhigh
Twitter: @oakhillslions