May 30, 2021

Principal's Post

Dear Charger Families,

As we begin to wind down the school year, I find myself reflecting more and more on how much we have achieved and overcome together. It's been an honor to serve our Pin Oak community, and while it hasn't always been easy, it has always been worth it.

This week, following the Monday Memorial Day school holiday, we will have our final two days of STAAR testing for our 8th graders on Tuesday and Wednesday - 6th and 7th graders are encouraged to learn virtually on those days. With the end of the grading cycle Friday, we will not have Virtual Power Hour sessions, but instead will allow our students to work on making sure all of their assignments are turned in for each class. Non-testers should check the HUB Tuesday and Wednesday for specific instructions from each of their teachers with regard to attendance, assignments, and Teams availability for students who need extra support.

This week, we will also be collecting our Chromebooks from all of our students. Mr. Mesa sent a Google survey to all students last week. It is critical that we inventory all of our devices and chargers before the end of the school year. While we have yet to be given specific information on requirements for the last week of school, we will plan for in-person students to have fun and encourage teachers to be creative with their classes. We will also offer enrichment lessons for our virtual students to complete as well.

I am also very excited about our 8th Grade Celebration Day we have scheduled for June 4th. We have well over 300 8th graders signed up and will be able to play and have fun and honor their accomplishments together in a way they will appreciate and remember.

I am determined to do everything I can to ensure our students, teachers, and entire POMS community end this school year on a high note. We have always put our focus on kids, and that will not change.

It is important to thank Alan Thompson, Johnny Morse, and Rebecca Ryan. They have answered texts and emails and worked tirelessly all year. They are smart problem-solvers who joined me at the table with positive attitudes in search of solutions. They truly love kids! I could not have asked for a more committed and smart group of servant leaders of Pin Oak. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Michelle Shoulders

#ChargeOn

This Week's Schedule:

Monday: NO SCHOOL - MEMORIAL DAY

Tuesday: STAAR TEST (8TH GRADE SCIENCE)

Wednesday: STAAR TEST (8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES)

Thursday: CHARGER DAY

Friday: CHARGER DAY & 8TH GRADE CELEBRATION DAY

STAAR Testing Info

Who: All 8th grade students taking the STAAR Science & Social Studies Tests

What: STAAR Science & Social Studies Tests

What to Bring:
- Charged laptop
- Charger
- Headphones (plug-in kind is preferable)
- Pencils
- Book to read when finished testing
- Water
- Snacks

When: See above for your STAAR testing date- arrive no later than 8:15 a.m.

Where: On-campus, in-person for all students taking the STAAR test

How:
- You may be picked up after all materials are secured (around 1:30 p.m.).
- Your guardian must physically sign you out from the front office area.
- If staying on campus, lunch will occur after testing and then you'll go to office hours for the remainder of the school day.

More POMS STAAR Testing Info

For more STAAR testing information, check out https://pinoakpto.membershiptoolkit.com/staar-testing.

8th Grade Celebration Day Info

We can’t wait for the big party celebrating the POMS 8th Grade Class of 2021! We have ordered meals for all the students who responded with their meal choices and much more fun and goodies!

8th Grade Class Photo

Please arrive by 8:30 a.m. in order to be in the class photo at 9 a.m.

Click here to order a class photo online or here to view and print the order form.

8th Grade Donation Request

We want to make this celebration extra fun for the students with more fun and prizes, but we need some help! We need help purchasing prizes for the students as well as items for fun activities we have planned.

If you can help with prizes, please donate here:

https://pinoakpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/141533

All donations will be used to fund gift cards and prizes to be given to the students who win.

We also have an Amazon Wish List to purchase requested items that can be delivered straight to Pin Oak.

We thank you for all your support and look forward to the 8th Grade Celebration Day on June 4th!

Order Spring Sports Photos by Thursday, 6/3

Order your Spring Sports photos by Thursday, June 3rd by clicking here.

After that date, you'll need to contact Photo Texas Photography to order your athlete's photos.

How to Return Your Chromebook, Library Books, & Textbooks

Each student should have received an email to complete a technology survey - EVERY STUDENT must complete the survey by Tuesday, June 1st, whether or not they checked out a Chromebook.

June 2 (MPR After STAAR Exam)

8th graders will turn in:
- Laptops
- Chargers
- Library Books
- Textbooks

June 4 (MPR 8AM - 9AM)

Remaining 8th graders will turn in:
- Laptops
- Chargers
- Library Books
- Textbooks

June 4 (MPR 1PM - 4PM) - See Schedule Below

6th & 7th graders will turn in:
- Laptops
- Chargers
- Library Books
- Textbooks

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM	7C
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM	7B
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	7A
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM	6C
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM	6B
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM	6A

June 4 (Back of School 1PM - 3PM)

All virtual students will turn in:
- Laptops
- Chargers
- Library Books
- Textbooks

POMS Sports Physicals for 2021-2022

On June 7^th and 8^th, we will be offering physicals for any POMS student who may need one for the 2021-2022 school year. Physicals will be in the D wing area from 11:30-1:30 both days.

We will encourage students to get this done during part of their lunch, but it is possible they may miss a short amount of class time, depending on the number of students in line at a given time.

The cost is $20 (cash only) and for any student who cannot come on the 7^th or 8^th, we will also have another opportunity before the start of school in the fall on August 18.

POMS Teacher & Staff End of Year Gift Fund Deadline: Friday (6/4)

The deadline to donate to the Teacher & Staff End of Year Gift Fund is Friday, June 4th!

Help us show our teachers & staff how much we appreciate them by donating to our Teacher & Staff End of Year Gift Fund- 100% will go towards our wonderful faculty and staff.

Click here to donate:

pinoakpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/140766

To donate with check or cash, please email activities@pinoakpto.org.

Orders Placed After June 7th Will Be Delivered at Charger Camp in August

Order your Charger polos, sweatshirts & spirit shirts through the POMS Online School Store! Yard signs, car magnets and umbrellas are now also available for order!

To order, log into your Membership Toolkit account (the same way you access school directory) or create a new account if you don't already have one. You can pay for your items through PayPal or with a credit/debit card.

Once you have purchased your items, you will be contacted by the school store volunteers regarding picking up the items.

Due to COVID restrictions, the physical store at school will remain closed until further notice.

NOTE: ALL ITEMS FROM ORDERS PLACED AFTER JUNE 7 WILL BE DISTRIBUTED DURING CHARGER CAMP IN AUGUST!

Please email schoolstore@pinoakpto.org with any questions.

Thank you for supporting POMS!

Order your School Supplies Today

School supply kits for the 2021-2022 school year are now on sale. Purchase your student's supplies now and make it easy for yourself when school starts. Use this link: https://1stday.sale/104263

Deadline to order is Thursday, July 1st.

Questions? Please contact the POMS PTO School Supplies Chairs.

POMS Virtual Orientation for Incoming 6th Graders Replay & POMS Tour Video

Did you miss the Virtual Orientation Live Event for Incoming 6th Graders? You can watch the replay via Teams. Then click here to view the POMS Tour Video that includes a special message from the PTO.

Affordable Girls Summer Camp Opportunity

Incarnate Word Academy in Downtown Houston (by Minute Maid Park) has summer camps available for middle school girls in Volleyball, Basketball, Dance, Leadership and Broadcast Journalism!

Click here for more information or visit www.incarnateword.org.

Reminder: School Dress Code

Students must wear our school colors each day. They can wear a polo, spirit shirt, t-shirt, or sweatshirt in grey, white, or royal blue. This is for supervision and safety reasons since students will be outside. All pants/shorts must be school appropriate length.

Reminder: No Deliveries to Front Office

Just a reminder that due to COVID-19 safety protocols, the front office is unable to accept deliveries for students. This includes parents dropping off lunches, instruments, etc. Thank you for your help in keeping our campus safe and healthy!