Dear Pin Oak Middle School Families,
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying your last week of summer. I am grateful to be able to share that Charger Camp was a HUGE success. I want to acknowledge the incredible work of our new Magnet Coordinator, Mrs. Moore, for planning and organizing an in-person event during COVID. I also want to send a shout-out to all camp volunteers: teachers, staff, cheerleaders, NJHS, and parents for working together to ensure a successful Charger Camp for all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Your willingness to pull together, support one another, and maintain a positive attitude is a testament to our campus motto: Charge On. Their willingness to work in these uncertain times and provide an opportunity for students to reconnect, tour the campus, meet their teachers, see their schedule, and pick up uniforms is greatly appreciated. I am so grateful for the Pin Oak staff and community- thank you for being a part of it and supporting the work we're doing with students.
Living in a pandemic is not what any of us expected in our lifetime. The circumstances we find ourselves in require patience, flexibility, understanding, and trust in the process. On Friday, I was informed of the new health protocols. Following the meeting, I met with my leadership team, and we tackled many of the changes and updates related to the coming year, and yet in some ways it feels like we've only scratched the surface. The focus of our work is to collaboratively develop the systems and structures for the new protocols before the end of the week. I do not have all of the answers, but I am working around the clock to restructure systems, procedures, and routines to create and maintain the safest environment possible for all students, faculty, and staff at Pin Oak. With all faculty and staff returning to campus tomorrow, please be patient if you are emailing and/or calling me. I assure you that I will communicate updates as quickly as I can. Please take the time to read and review the information shared below. Many of your questions will be addressed by following the links. Thank you for doing everything you can to stay informed and support your child with making sense of this situation.
HISD Health & Safety Updates
There are NEW health protocols announced for the 2021-2022 school year. On Friday, August 13th, HISD updated its Ready, Set, Go! Back to School Plan and strengthened its protocols to ensure in-person experiences are as safe as possible during the 2021-2022 school year. Updated protocols take effect in conjunction with the start of school on Monday, August 23, 2021.
In addition, I've included recent information shared by TEA specific to Public Health Guidance. The reinstated protocols include:
- Masks: Masks covering both the nose and mouth are required for all individuals inside HISD schools, buildings, and buses regardless of vaccination status. Their use is encouraged outdoors.
- Sanitization: All district schools and buildings will be cleaned, disinfected, and fogged nightly with hospital-grade disinfectants as a precautionary measure. Hand sanitizer and other cleaning and disinfecting supplies will be provided in all school buildings and buses.
- Health Screening: Because they are not yet eligible for vaccines, elementary students will continue to undergo temperature screening upon arrival at school. Pending HISD Board of Education approval, all staff will be required to complete online self-assessments through the Axiom Medical CheckIn2Work health screening app before arriving at work.
- Visitors: Visitation is limited to essential and pre-scheduled visitors, including individuals who have been pre-approved through the Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) program.
- In-Person Gatherings: In-person gatherings, meetings, and events are permitted in HISD schools and buildings if all attendees wear masks and maintain 6 feet of physical distance. If these conditions cannot be met, the gathering must be held outdoors or virtually.
- Uniforms: Student uniform policies will be flexible at all campuses.
Schedule Change Requests
Before a schedule change request is reviewed by the house administrator, parents/guardians must complete all beginning of the 2021-2022 school year forms for their child enrolled at Pin Oak Middle School. Please access HISD Connect Parent Portal to complete these forms.
HISD Connect: How-To Videos:
Questions About Your Student's Schedule?
If your student has a schedule conflict or a question about a particular class, please contact their house administrator.
Alan Thompson: A-House Assistant Principal
Johnny Morse: B-House Assistant Principal
Ashly Evans-Vining: C-House Assistant Principal
New Staff on Campus
| Brianda Cruz | A-House Clerk |
| Jason Guidry | Band Director |
| Seth Getz | Choir Director |
| Jillian Silvius | ELAR Department |
| Fiona Yeung | ELAR Department |
| Kelly Moore | Magnet Coordinator |
| Jacob Stautzenberger | Math Department |
| Uyirioritse Nwosu | Science Department |
| Michael Waller | Science Department |
| John Gomez | Social Studies Department |
| Courtney Hollins | Special Education Department |
| Erika Perez | Special Education Department |
| Luzdalia Sanchez | Special Education Department |
| Angela Thomas-Davis | Special Education Department |
| Kia Ward | Special Education Department |
| Katherine Goldman | Theatre Director |
| Brigid Gould | Wraparound Specialist |
Campus Administrators
Campus Support Team
School Uniforms
- Due to recent changes in the district's Back to School Plan, there might be modifications to our campus Dress Code Policy; however, the length of skirts and shorts will not be changed. I plan to share more information after I attend the principals' meeting on August 18th.
School Supplies
HISD Academic Calendar
Transportation
- Masks covering both the nose and mouth are required for all individuals riding the bus.
- Buses will be cleaned and sanitized regularly as a precautionary measure.
- Hand sanitizer and other cleaning and disinfecting supplies will be provided.
- Upon boarding, students will be required to sanitize their hands and scan their bus badge.
- For more information, visit HISD Transportation.
- Click on Find My Route and enter your address to get your child's route and stop information.
- HISD's Transportation Services Customer Feedback: "Let's Talk!"
- Customer Care Contact Number: (713) 556-9400
- If you have additional questions, you may contact Mrs. Kelly Moore. Please be patient and flexible, as Mrs. Moore is working to answer transportation questions for all Pin Oak families; therefore, I encourage you to follow the links provided to have your immediate questions answered.
POMS After School Care
- Due to the recent district health and safety protocols, the campus after-school care program may be postponed. I plan to share more information after I attend the principals' meeting on August 18th.
Updates
Each school year we plan for ways to grow and improve. With this in mind, please be aware of the following important adjustments to our practices and procedures.
- School Time: School will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will end at 4:00 p.m. each day. Students will be permitted to begin arriving at school at 7:45 a.m. However, doors will not open until 8:00 a.m.
- 10/10 Rule: The first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of each period are the most important. To maximize learning, no one is allowed to leave the classroom during those times.
- Backpacks: Students are permitted to use backpacks to bring items to and from school only. Students may keep their backpack in their locker during the school day. They may not carry backpacks from class to class.
- Phones: Personal phones must be off and out of sight during the school day.
Connecting with you is important to us. As a result, we have many ways to share the latest and greatest of Pin Oak Middle School, including:
Be well and stay healthy,
Lindsey Vela, Principal
lindsey.vela@houstonisd.org
