May 23, 2021

Principal's Post

To the Class of 2021 –

Congratulations! You’ve almost made it to the end of this part of your educational journey. It has not been an easy three years, but you have surely given it your all.

I want you to hold your head up and leave us confident in who you are as a learner and person. You’ve learned to independently plan your day and organize your study time. You’ve learned there are some subjects you are great at and others will require more of your attention in the future – that’s ok. You’ve grown in maturity in ways we could not have planned for – you’ve seen and been a part of conversations about life and humanity, you’ve cried with friends and the world over losses of loved ones, and you’ve grown to appreciate being with close friends and family. I know each one of you has learned the power of peace and comfort that a long-awaited hug can bring.

I hope you leave us knowing how much we care for you. We’ve tried to make the learning count no matter what, but only you know all the things you have gained over the last three years. I hope you will take a few moments to write a few down so you don’t forget how far you have come.

Please don’t forget the power of words and the influence of kindness. Perhaps you will let your heart and gratitude show in a written note to a teacher or important person you have gotten to know in your time at Pin Oak. Let’s finish the year strong and on a positive note. My life is forever changed because of my time with you. That’s powerful – be proud!

Sincerely,

Michelle Shoulders

#ChargeOn

This Week's Schedule:

Monday: STAAR TEST (6TH GRADE READING)

Tuesday: STAAR TEST (7TH GRADE READING)

Wednesday: STAAR TEST (8TH GRADE READING)

Thursday: CHARGER DAY

Friday: HISD ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING DAY

Click on the Dates Below

for Printable Schedules

Monday, May 24

STAAR Reading Test: 6th Grade

Virtual Power Hours: 7th & 8th Grades

Tuesday, May 25

STAAR Reading Test: 7th Grade

Virtual Power Hours: 6th & 8th Grades

Wednesday, May 26

STAAR Reading Test: 8tn Grade

Virtual Power Hours: 6th & 7th Grades

STAAR Testing Info

Who: All students taking the STAAR Reading Test

What: STAAR Reading Test

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.

Virtual Power Hours

Click on the class subject to access your Virtual Power Hour session.

If you have any trouble accessing the links, please email your teacher.

8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.	Chinese

	French

	German

	Italian

	Spanish (Frisch)

	Spanish (Reamer/Riordan)

	ELA (8th Grade) - Monday
	(Mock STAAR Reading Test)

9:20 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.	Algebra (7th Grade)

	Algebra (8th Grade) - Tuesday

	Geometry - Tuesday

	Math (6th Grade)

	Math (7th Grade)

	Math (8th Grade) - Tuesday

10:15 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.	ELA (6th Grade)

	ELA (7th Grade)

	ELA (8th Grade) - Tuesday

11:10 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.	Science (6th Grade)

	Science (7th Grade)

	Science (8th Grade) & IPC - Tuesday

12:05 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.	World Cultures - Tuesday
	World Cultures - Wednesday

	Texas History

	US History - Tuesday

More POMS STAAR Testing Info

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

POMS PTO General Meeting Tomorrow at 5:30 PM

Join us for our next PTO General Meeting tomorrow, May 24th, at 5:30 p.m. using this Teams link.

School Support Officer Ingé Garibaldi and NW Area SuperintendentCesar Martinez will be in the meeting to answer questions about the principal selection process.

8th Grade Celebration Day Needs

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 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!

8th Grade STAAR Reading Test Practice & Review

The 8th Grade ELA Department will be offering an opportunity for 8th graders to take a Mock STAAR Reading Test on Monday, May 24th. Students should report to the Virtual Power Hour promptly at 8:30 a.m. to have the entirety of the four hours allotted to them.

On Tuesday, May 25th, during the Virtual Power Hour scheduled for 10:15 a.m., students will go through commonly missed questions for a last-minute "Reflect and Reset" review.

In addition to affording students an opportunity to finalize concepts, we will also use this data as "mastery met" for those students who, at this point, are in danger of not passing the course for the year. This will provide an opportunity for those who are missing objectives or concepts to show their mastery. We hope you will take advantage of these opportunities.

POMS Debate Team Tryouts

Attention all rising 7th and 8th graders:

Are you the one who wins every argument your friends throw at you? Do you feel like you need a challenge? Debate is for you! Join us for tryouts!

Tryouts will be held on the following dates:

Online Students: Wednesday, May 26th (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
- Online students, use this Teams link to join for tryouts.

In-Person Students: Thursday, May 27th (3:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m.)
- In-person students meet in Mr. Switzer's room (A102)

Please fill out this form prior to the tryout.

POMS Teacher & Staff End of Year Gift Fund Deadline: Friday (5/28)

The deadline to donate to the Teacher & Staff End of Year Gift Fund is Friday, May 28th!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visit the POMS Online School Store

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!

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!