What are Formative Assessments?
“A formative assessment is a planned process in which assessment-elicited evidence of students’ status is used by teachers to adjust their ongoing instructional procedures or by students to adjust their current learning tactics.” (Popham, 2011). These tests, also called assessments for learning, inform teachers’ instruction, and provide students with feedback. Students and teachers can use formal and informal assessment methods to measure progress and gather evidence that impacts students learning and instruction.
What is the rationale for giving the STAAR Release Assessment?
The Texas Education Agency creates these assessments, which are administered to provide teachers with timely information on student learning of standards taught since the beginning of the school year. Teachers can create an effective review plan for STAAR for their students with the resulting data. STAAR Release assessments are designed to be administered within 4 hours.
A redesign of the STAAR test is currently underway due to House Bill 3906.
In the 2022-23 School Year, the STAAR assessment will:
- Include new Technology Enhanced Items (TEI) that will make up at least 25% of the assessment
- Transition to Online administration
- Include a redesign of reading language arts (RLA) which will include revising and editing items in grades 3-8 and cross-curricular passages
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Warren at awarren4@houstonisd.org.
Ramadan
Muslims worldwide will spend the next month observing one of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan, a holiday that usually includes intensive daily fasting. If there are any Pin Oak students who are observing this period of fasting and need alternate arrangements for their lunch time, please reach out to Wraparound Specialist Brigid Gould at brigid.gould@houstonisd.org and accommodations will be made.
April is Autism Acceptance Month
The autism team at POMS has worked together on creating events to celebrate and spread a positive message of acceptance all month long. We look forward to coming together as a school and celebrating.
At POMS, we believe in promoting acceptance and inclusion. Members of our autism team have developed a wealth of resources for teachers to share with their students. Below is a resource for parents that may be helpful in explaining autism to your student.
https://www.autismsociety-nc.org/classmates-autism-acceptance/
2021-2022 Celebrations
Our school will return to some traditions that we have missed and add a few new ones. Our students and faculty are excited to have a bevy of celebrations to close the academic year. POMS is planning the following activities:
- Charger Tailgate
- Thursday, April 14 (All Lunches)
- 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance at POMS
- Friday, May 6 (7PM - 10PM)
- 8th Grade Field Trip
- Tuesday, May 24 (All Day)
- 8th Grade Breakfast & Yearbook Signing Party
- Friday, June 3 (8:30AM - 10:30AM)
- Charger Kickball Tournament
- 8th Grade Promotion Parade & Day of Fun
Morning Announcements
Each morning, the tardy bell rings at 8:30 a.m. and announcements begin. If you happen to be running late that day and are still in the hallway, please make sure you are stopping and pausing (quietly) during the pledges and moment of silence. Once this is over, you are welcome to head to class. I am asking all adults and students to please be respectful of this expectation moving forward.
Attendance
Attendance matters. We have noticed an increase in student absences and tardies without notification to the main office as to the reason for the absence. Written excuses should be in the school’s possession no later than three days after the day of the absence or tardy. The three-day period begins with the day the student returns to school. Please note that missing even one class period to attend a doctor's appointment requires a written excuse to the attendance clerk within the three-day window. Simply signing the checkout sheet when picking up your child during school hours does not fulfill this requirement or excuse your child from that absence.
Students may enter the building at 7:45 a.m. Students must be in their seats by 8:30 a.m. If a student arrives late, they will be required to get a tardy pass from their house office. No student should be on school grounds any earlier than 7:45 a.m. as there is NO SUPERVISION until 7:45 a.m.
If you have any questions regarding attendance or to submit your written excuse electronically, please email our attendance clerk, Michelle Fusilier Johnson, at michelle.fusilierjohnson@houstonisd.org.
Safety Expectations and Reminders
Thank you to the majority of our campus that is consistently wearing IDs and lanyards daily! You are noticed and appreciated.
If you do not have your ID or lanyard, you can purchase a new ID for $5 and a lanyard for $2 at the Student Success Table each morning from 7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
Why IDs? It’s all about campus safety and security. It makes students easily identifiable to ANY STAFF MEMBER (there are 115 adults in the building each day and not all of them will know your student or vice versa) in case of an emergency. Thank you for helping us keep OUR students safe. It’s my responsibility, so your cooperation and support is appreciated.
COVID-19 Protocol Reminder
You can help us keep school running smoothly for all by not sending students to school who are ill. If there is any question, please err on the side of caution. When we have to send staff home because they are ill, it has a dramatic impact on all students and staff. Thank you for being our partners as we continue to navigate the complicated world of COVID-19.
Water Bottles
Water is available through water-filling stations. Please send a refillable water bottle to school each day with your child. Please label the water bottle with your child’s name. The water bottle should be filled at home each morning before coming to school.
The front office is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist you. You can also directly email us or call 713-295-6500 during the same hours. We are happy to help!
