Principal's Perspective

Dear West Oak Middle School Families,

Welcome to West Oak Middle School for the 2026-27 school year! It is my honor and privilege to continue serving as your principal and to work alongside you and your child(ren). For our returning families, welcome back! And to those who are new to our school community—welcome to the West Oak Middle School Wolfpack family! We are eager to begin another exciting year and remain committed to providing every student with a strong, well-rounded, and positive academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning experience.

As members of the Wolfpack, we believe in supporting every student and family both inside and outside the classroom. Our goal is to ensure that all students feel respected, valued, and safe the moment they walk through our doors. We encourage all families to stay connected through our school and district communications and to get involved in the many events and activities offered throughout the year. At West Oak, we want every student to feel at home—a place where they can grow, thrive, and develop a lifelong love of learning. I look forward to another year of growth, discovery, and shared success. WE ARE WEST OAK!

To keep you informed, a weekly family newsletter will be sent electronically every Friday. This newsletter will highlight upcoming events, important dates, and essential school and district information. You can also stay connected by visiting the District 76 website, and by following us on social media on Twitter/X at #D76Diamonds and on Facebook.

I’d also like to invite you to our Curriculum Night, which will be held at West Oak Middle School on Tuesday, August 26th, from 6:00–7:00 PM. It’s a great opportunity to meet our staff, learn more about what your child will be experiencing this year, and ask any questions you may have.

We are also thrilled to welcome new staff members to our team this year. Please join me in welcoming:

• Jaylene Cirilo – 7th Grade Math
• Jocelyn Triplett – 8th Grade English Language Arts
• Olivia Richardson – Special Education
• Emily Feingold-Fisher – Communication Arts
• Maria De Lourdes Ruiz Montoya – School Psychologist

As always, please remember that West Oak Middle School is more than just a school—we are a family. If you ever have questions, concerns, or suggestions on how we can better support your child(ren), please don’t hesitate to reach out to our amazing front office staff or contact me directly. We look forward to partnering with you for a successful and memorable school year.

Go Wolfpack!

Sincerely,
Brandon Pedersen
Principal
bpedersen@dist76.org