May 15, 2022

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

I cannot believe we are in our LAST three weeks of school! What a journey we all have been on this year. Thank you all for supporting your child and our teachers this year as we navigated some “unchartered” waters. I am just so proud of all our students and the academic progress they made this year as we continue to work to close gaps over the next three weeks.

After STAAR testing, we will end this school year with some celebrations! The school will sponsor the 8^th grade field trip to Splashway Waterpark on Tuesday, May 24. Permission slips are due by Thursday, May 19. The First Annual Charger Kickball tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 6. Additional information will be shared during morning announcements. 

Thank you for your flexibility, generosity, and responsiveness throughout this year. We are looking forward to smoother “sailings” next fall when we all return to school.

Update Your Contact Information in HISDConnect

Parents, now is the time to update your contact information in HISDConnect and be sure that we have your address, working phone number(s), and an email address linked to your student’s account.

This is very important as we will need accurate information to contact you over the summer with information about Charger Camp 2022 and PowerUp parent information sessions.

Required Immunizations for Rising 7th Graders

• Tdap – 1 dose of Tdap is required if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.
• Meningococcal (MCV4) – 1 dose of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is required on or after the student’s 11th birthday. If a student received the vaccine at 10 years of age, this will satisfy the requirement.
  
  

If your child is a rising 7th grader, s/he MUST have the vaccines listed above in addition to all previously required vaccinations, or risk being removed from school until proof of vaccination is presented.

For more information, visit the Texas Health & Human Services website.

Where to go for low cost immunizations?

• City of Houston Health Centers
• Harris Health Troubleshooters
• Texas Children's Mobile Clinics

Contact Nurse Troetscher at Thea.Troetscher@houstonisd.org or 713.295.6500 if you have questions.

2022-2023 Course Requests Open Through June 8

It is time to request classes for next year. There’s an abundance of new electives coming here to POMS: Athletics, AVID, Broadcast/Journalism, Japanese Language & Culture, Model UN, Odyssey of the Mind, Persian Language & Culture, Principles of Information Technology (PIT), Tech Apps, and Tech Team. These requests are NOT a guarantee that you will be placed into these specific courses. There are many factors that go into creating a schedule, including standardized and district assessment results.

Below you will find links to the 2022-2023 POMS Course Catalog and grade level course requests.

Course requests will be open from May 8, 2022, through June 8, 2022.

Rising 6th Graders: You will get a chance to request your electives and level of core subjects (on-level, HISD Advanced) for each subject. If a student does not pass the 2022 STAAR exam, they will automatically be put in on- level and intervention courses.

Rising 7th & 8th Graders:You must use your HISD log-in to complete the Google form. All levels of academic courses will stay the same. If a student does not pass the 2022 STAAR exam, they will automatically be put in on-level and intervention courses.

Athletics for 7th & 8th Graders: This is a class specific to student-athletes. Students will work on drills and training for Pin Oak sports. Requirement: Student physical, profile on Register My Athlete, and medical insurance information must be submitted to the Athletic Coordinator no later than August 19, 2022. Students who sign up for athletics must commit to tryout and/or participate in one sport (minimum). No exceptions.

High School Credit Classes

• 7th Grade Algebra placement will be finalized over the summer.
• 8th Grade Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) placement will be determined over the summer. Science grades and performance on district assessments will be reviewed before approval of placement in this class.
• 8th Grade Principles of Information Technology (PIT) placement will be determined over the summer. Science and math grades and performance on district and state assessments will be reviewed before approval of placement in this class.

All academic and IEP/504/IAT/HB4545 requirements will take priority over any request made.

Elective Course Descriptions

6th Grade Course Requests

7th/8th Grade Course Requests

*Schedules are subject to change at any time.

New Staff Joining POMS 2022-23

• Lauren Friedlander – Math Department – Math Teacher
• Jonahira Cordero – PE/Fine Arts Department – Dance Teacher
• Jia Chang – World Language Department – Mandarin Chinese Teacher
• Mary Kundert – ELAR Department – English Teacher
• Philip Neal – Special Education Department – Co-Teacher & Case Manager
• Benjamin Frieben – World Language Department – Spanish Teacher
• Richard Graham – Fine Arts Department – Band Teacher
• Molly Childs – Magnet Coordinator

POMS STAAR Testing Information

STAAR Testing Tips

• Get a Good Night Sleep
• Eat a Nutritious Breakfast
• Arrive to School Early
• No Early Pickup on Test Days
• NO Phones/Smartwatches/Electronic Devices 

STAAR EOC exams will be administered on the dates listed below. All students are required to take and pass the grade level STAAR End of Course (EOC) exams. All STAAR exams will be administered through the online testing platform, (except IEP/504 accommodations require administering a paper version).

Attention Students Taking AP Exams:

Please read the following information carefully.

Morning exams: Students must be ready to enter testing room at 7:45 a.m. If you are not present for the exam at 7:45, you may be counted absent and not be allowed to test. Students need to make arrangements to get to school on time and allow for traffic. Students may not be dismissed until the exam has officially ended; they will not be allowed to leave early.

DO NOT bring the following to the exam room:

• Cell phones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), Blackberry smartphones, Bluetooth-enabled devices, MP3 players, email/messaging devices, or any other electronic or communication devices. POMS is not responsible for any damaged or stolen electronics.
• Books, mechanical pencils, colored pencils, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters, or notes
• Portable listening* or recording devices (even with headphones) or photographic equipment
• Food or drink*
• Clothing with subject-related information

*Unless this has been preapproved as an accommodation by the College Board Services for Students with Disabilities office prior to the test date. 

We would appreciate your support and partnership in trying to avoid removing students from school on test days for appointments. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Warren at awarren4@houstonisd.org.

Sports Physicals 2022-2023

Any student interested in participating in Athletics for the 2022-2023 school year must complete the requirements listed below by Friday, August 19.

Athletic Physicals are a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT. They are not optional! No student will be allowed to participate on an athletic team or practices without a current Athletic Physical. Athletic Physicals are good for the duration of one (1) year and physicals should be taken prior to the start of the school year. Please make sure that you give a copy of the Athletic Physical to the Athletic Coordinator or School Nurse. Also, make certain to keep a copy for your personal records!

Please see the links and content below regarding athletic requirements and the sports physicals clinic being hosted at Pin Oak Middle School in August 2022. The sports physical clinic sign-up link will be shared in the coming weeks. The cost is $20 CASH ONLY. 

Please contact Coach Carter, POMS Athletic Coordinator, if you have any questions.

POMS Sports Physical Clinics

• Friday, June 3 (12PM - 4PM)*
• Friday, August 19 (Time TBD)*
  • *Subject to change

• HISD Physical Form
• UIL Acknowledgement of Rules
• Register My Athlete
• HISD Athletics Department

CAMPUS REMINDERS:

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!

Electronic Devices

The use of electronic devices (including, but not limited to earbuds, AirPods, or headphones), unless allowed by teacher/administrator for educational purposes, is not permitted during the school day, including transitions or in the hallways. Electronic devices are not allowed in the restrooms. Staff members are allowed to confiscate and safeguard a student’s cell phone or other devices until the end of the school day. Students who do not comply with a staff member’s request will face further discipline, as outlined in the code of conduct, including detentions or retrieval of a device by a parent/guardian. Per the POMS Handbook 2021-2022 (pages 8-9) and in accordance with Texas Education Code 37.082, a $15 administrative fee will be collected by the POMS Business Office upon return of the device.

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.

IDs & Lanyards

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.

Admin Contact Information

Campus Administrators

Campus Support Team

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:

• School Website: Here you can find information such as the Grade Level Teams, Magnet Program, Digital Resources, Virtual Library, and more.
• Social Media: Follow our #WeArePinOak hashtag and me on Twitter @POMS_Principal. We will post pictures and information on our daily activities at POMS to our #WeArePinOak hashtag. We encourage you to share your Charger pride here as well!

Be well and stay healthy,

Lindsey Vela

Donate to Pin Oak Middle School PTO when you do your everyday shopping! All donations support excellence in education through activities and programs at Pin Oak Middle School.

Pin Oak Middle School PTO

4601 Glenmont • Bellaire, TX 77401

pinoakpto.org